Bell Middle School Notification - November 6, 2020

November 6, 2020

Dear Bell Middle School Families,

Today, after dismissal, the Westchester County Department of Health confirmed that an individual at Robert E. Bell Middle School has tested positive for COVID-19. Based on our information, we have children on Team 7E in pods 23 and 24 who were directly exposed to this individual while they were potentially infectious on November 4th and 5th.

As a result of the number of staff who will be required to quarantine due to possible exposure, all students and staff associated with Team 7E will be placed on remote instruction for two weeks as they follow their regular school schedule through zoom. Students should check Canvas for additional instructions on Monday. The anticipated return date for Team 7E is Friday, November 20th.

The Westchester County Department of Health (WCDOH) has a contact tracing system in place for Westchester County when there is a confirmed case. If your child has been identified as a close contact of the person who tested positive, you will be contacted directly. You will receive a call from a contact tracer from the WCDH. For such calls, your caller ID may read NYS Contact Tracing or display a phone number with a 518 area code. Please answer these calls promptly and provide the Contact Tracers with the information they need which will help to protect us all.

Please note that individuals who were exposed to this individual are mandated to quarantine for 14 days from the last exposure date. At this time, students who were exposed may return to school on Friday, November 20th. If you suspect your child is becoming ill, they should be tested. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, sore throat, and runny nose. Additional symptoms include muscle pain, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea. You should consult with your physician for medical advice in specific cases. Please visit the NY State Find a Test Site Near You page and enter your address to view a list of the nearest testing sites. If your child has a positive COVID-19 test result during the quarantine period, please notify Joseph Wiener, School Principal, immediately.

It is recommended that any individual exposed be tested for COVID-19 at least five days after exposure, however, testing negative does not remove your child from completing their quarantine period.

Thank you for your understanding. For more information on COVID-19, please call (866) 588-0195 or visit the Westchester Department of Health homepage.

Sincerely,

Christine Ackerman, PhD
Superintendent of Schools