2020-2021 School Year Information
January 19, 2021
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Our school division is informing parents and guardians that students or staff members have been diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The individuals were on school premises during the week of 01/11/2021 through 01/15/2021 and did have direct exposure with other members of our community.
Callaghan Elementary School will close during this time and return to an all-virtual model of teaching and learning. The tentative date for a return to in-person instruction is Thursday, February 4, 2021. Our District Health Nurse is working to identify anyone who had close contact with the person to determine if they might have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. If your child is identified as having been potentially exposed, the District Health Nurse will contact you to ask that you quarantine your child for a period of 14 days. Please monitor your child for cough, shortness of breath, a temperature of 100.4ºF or higher, or other COVID-19 symptoms; and stay home (even if she receives a negative test) and maintain social distance from others at all times during this 14 day period. If you are not contacted by the District Health Nurse and you do not have COVID-19 symptoms, you do not need to stay home or exclude yourself from activities at this time.
Parents should continue to monitor their child’s health and the health of their families for COVID-19 symptoms. Children with COVID-19 generally have mild, cold-like symptoms, such as fever, runny nose, and cough. Vomiting and diarrhea have also been reported in some children.
Children with certain underlying medical conditions, such as chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma, serious heart conditions, or weak immune systems, might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is also learning more about a rare but serious condition called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). MIS-C is associated with COVID-19, but the cause of the condition and the individuals at highest risk are still unknown. Contact your child's healthcare provider regarding any concerns.
A person needs to be tested if they had close contact with someone with COVID-19, even if they do not have symptoms. If the test is negative, these individuals should still quarantine at home for 14 days after their most recent contact. Those who develop COVID-19 symptoms should also be tested. People who need to be tested should contact their healthcare provider to be evaluated and arrange for testing. A list of C OVID-19 Testing Sites is also available. If your child has been exposed to or diagnosed with COVID-19, please report this to your school. This information will be kept confidential.
Schools continue to utilize CDC recommendations on Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces to reduce viral transmission and keep our children and school personnel healthy and safe. Parents and family members can assist this effort by promoting healthy behaviors and following these practices:
●Stay home from school or work if sick, even if symptoms are mild.
●Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
●Put at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and other people.This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick (e.g., older adults and anyone with a serious chronic medical condition, such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease).
●Wear a mask (also known as a cloth face covering) in public settings and in areas where physical distancing is difficult to maintain.
●Certain people should never wear a mask. Masks should not be put on children under the age of two or used by people who have trouble breathing, are incapacitated, or who are otherwise unable to remove the mask without help.
●Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
●Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
● Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue (or sleeve), and then throw the tissue in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
●Clean and disinfect surfaces that are often touched.
● Take care of your health overall. Stay current on your vaccinations (including the flu vaccine), eat well, and exercise to help your body stay resilient.
The Virginia Department of Health provides information about COVID-19 and
frequently asked questions (FAQs) from parents and concerned family members. The CDC offers tips to keep children healthy during this time. The Virginia Department of Education produced COVID-19: A Parent Guide for School Age Children and provides additional considerations for students with
disabilities, guidance for military families, and social emotional wellness for parents and caregivers
01/19/2021 Donna Harris, RN 01/19/2021
Callaghan Elementary School Principal ACPS District Nurse Manager
Virtual Learning Assistance Program
Beginning Thursday, October 22, Callaghan School will offer a weekly after-school program for students to provide them with instructional assistance they may need on their virtual learning days. This service is available to all Callaghan students.
- ●Tuesdays from 3:30 to 4:30:Students in Group B
- ●Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30:Students in Group A
- ●Full virtual students may attend either or both sessions.
Parents must provide transportation to and from school on those afternoons.
Parents may park in the drop off parking lot, and students may enter the building after all car riders have departed. At 4:30, students will be released, and parents should line up vehicles parade-style in a single file line in front of the building for pick up. We will bring your student to your vehicle.
This program is NOT intended to provide students with remediation instruction to help them catch up if they are falling behind. It is for any students who may need some assistance and guidance from a teacher in completing tasks that are assigned on virtual-learning days. We will have multiple teachers on hand each day; however, your child’s homeroom teacher may or may not be the teacher who provides assistance.
Participating students must come to school with a Chromebook that has been charged. If possible, especially for younger students, a list of questions or items that they need assistance with would be very helpful.
On days that you wish to bring your child after school, we ask that you give Ms. Hartman a call prior to 2:00pm so we can determine an approximate number of students in order to have an adequate number of teachers available. At that time, please let us know who will be picking your child up at 4:30.
Spacing, distancing and masking guidelines will be enforced. (All students must enter the building with a mask; parents will not be allowed to enter the building; however, you may walk your child to the front door at 3:30.)
At this time, this program will only be offered to students on their virtual learning days; however, we may expand to include additional students at some point in the future.
Parent Training Videos:
Parent Training Videos for the 2020-2021 school year are available HERE.
Returning to School: What Callaghan Parents and Students Can Expect
This document will provides parents an overview of what to reasonably expect when school reopens in the fall. It also gives students an idea of what the day could look like when they return to school in September.
ACPS Remote Learning Flexibility Request (pdf fillable form)
Fill out this form if you would like to request 100% remote learning for your student(s) through Alleghany County Public Schools. (word doc.)