CARIBOU, Maine — The RSU 39 (Caribou and Stockholm) school district will remain in the red, or remote learning, model until Jan. 4.
The notice, posted Thursday, Dec. 10, on the school’s social media page, follows up on an earlier announcement that the district would be going red for the week of Dec. 7 to 11
Superintendent Tim Doak wrote in the update that RSU 39 learned on Dec. 6 of “a possible exposure to a COVID-19 case in the community to a number of Caribou Community School and Caribou High School students.” The students have since been quarantined to the best of the district’s knowledge.
He said a district-wide red model has given the schools’ health services staff and administration time to monitor testing and to determine the number of students who may test positive.
“With all indications showing that the COVID-19 cases will increase during our post-holiday break, there is a strong possibility that RSU 39 schools could be in a red model for an extended time during the month of January,” Doak said.
He said the administration will follow up with more information by Dec. 30.
RSU 39 is asking all staff, students and families to email health services staff at nurses@rsu39.org immediately if they have been in direct contact with a COVID-19 case, if they or anyone in their household is awaiting test results for any reason, or if they have tested positive for the virus.
They are also being asked to check the Maine CDC website for current information if they travel outside the state.
“This practice is vital in order for RSU No. 39 administration to be able to determine if and when it will be safe to return to face to face instruction in our schools,” Doak said.
He asked that everyone take social distancing seriously by avoiding crowds, staying at home, and maintaining at least a six-foot distance from people, and for parents or guardians to ensure their child is wearing a mask and washing their hands.
“We are all considered community partners,” he said. “Please make it a point to adopt a practice of staying safe as our actions will have a direct effect on our first responders and medical personnel who are trying to provide a much needed service for our communities. Thank you for your continued support. By working together, we will get through these challenging times.”
