Project Excel staff member tests positive for COVID-19

A message from Project Excel Director Cathy Stawarz:

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Project Excel has been notified that a staff member has tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, Oct. 6th. We are working with the Sullivan County Public Health Services in identifying those individuals who were directly exposed to COVID-19. The New York State Contact tracing program is reaching out to those individuals to provide them with further instructions. These individuals will be required to complete a 14-day self-quarantine, ending on October 20th. At that time, they will need to be symptom free and present a note from Sullivan County Public Health Services that will be sent to individuals via the NYS Department of Health contact tracing system that releases them to return to the building.

Out of an abundance of caution one of our classrooms has been closed and will begin learning remotely. Teachers/therapists will be contacting families to inform them of the next steps – students should receive a message from their teacher and/or therapist through DOJO by the morning of October 8th. The school’s custodial staff have cleaned and disinfected the areas of the building and will continue to follow the established cleaning/sanitization schedule.

Our top priority is the health and safety of our staff and students. We are following the guidance of the Sullivan County Public Health. Notifications will be updated as necessary. It is of the upmost importance that everyone remembers to keep their social distance, wear face coverings and wash their hands for at least 20 seconds to stop the spread of this disease.

Any person who is showing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever greater than 100 degrees, cough, chills, body aches, shortness of breath, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea should contact their primary physician.

For more information on the CDC’s contact tracing, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/contact-tracing/contact-tracing-plan/contact-tracing.html

Warmest regards,

Catherine Stawarz, MSEd., SDL
Project Excel Director