From the Desk of Dr. Davis, HPS Superintendent | Back to School in the New Year!
As we prepare to come back to school tomorrow morning for the first time in 2021, please take a minute to read the following reminders about HPS’ COVID-19 Guidelines.
Happy New Year!
Looking back at 2020, I am grateful to have partnered with many of you to continue to care for and educate the children of the Holland community despite so many challenges. As we celebrate the New Year, I believe there is so much to be excited for in 2021.
As we prepare to come back to school tomorrow morning for the first time in 2021, please take a minute to read the following reminders about HPS’ COVID-19 Guidelines.
It is important to complete a daily screening before you leave for school each morning:
If you have ANY of the following symptoms:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing
- Lost your taste or smell
Please stay home from school.
Additionally, if you have ANY TWO of the following symptoms:
- Temperature of 100.4 degrees
- Chills
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
- Congestion or running nose
- Headache
- Fatigue
Please stay home from school.
If you have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or you have tested positive yourself, please stay home from school. As a reminder, the definition of ‘close contact’ is fifteen or more total minutes within six feet of a COVID-positive person over a 24-hour period.
It is important to let your child’s school principal know they have tested positive or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive. School staff members are often able to serve as a connection to the local health department for questions about COVID-19, quarantine, testing, and return to school protocols.
If your family traveled during the holiday break, we are asking that you follow CDC recommendations
The CDC recommends that individuals do NOT travel over the holidays, but if they do travel they are encouraged to be tested for COVID-19... 3-5 days after travel, and are also encouraged to reduce all non-essential activity for a full 7 days after their return.
If your family traveled internationally during the break, we are requiring that your child (and all HPS staff) quarantine for at least 7 days after arriving home before they return to any HPS building.
If your child needs to quarantine, or needs to isolate due to a positive test result, take care of them and yourself! We want you, your child, and your family to feel well and return to school healthy.
Also, please make sure you stay at home for the duration of your quarantine/isolation. Do not worry about absences related to truancy. COVID-related absences will not count against your student. We will work with them to keep up with classes even if they can’t attend in person.
In most cases, student quarantine length will be ten days from the contact with someone who has tested positive (a reduction from 14 days previously). The Ottawa County Department of Public Health may order a 14-day quarantine if they feel your child’s case meets certain criteria.
If your child is ordered to quarantine, get tested as soon as possible. However, even if you test negative for COVID-19, the OCDPH will not reduce quarantine length. If you have any questions about quarantine, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s school principal or school nurse.
- School starts tomorrow morning! Here are a few things you can do now to get your child ready.
- Please send your child’s learning device back to school fully charged ready to learn. Don’t forget the charging cable.
- Please send back any school supplies that were sent home with your child over the holiday break.
- Please remember to send a mask with your student to school. Our safety protocols will still include the required wearing of an approved mask for all school events/activities.
Thank you in advance for continuing to follow these guidelines and for taking the steps required to keep our students, teachers, and staff safe in our schools in 2021!
Thank you,
Brian Davis Ph.D.
Superintendent of Holland Public Schools
P.S.
Now is a great time to sign up for the HPS Mobile Text Alert; especially if you’ve recently changed or got a new phone number. You’ll receive important updates from the district along with alerts about weather-related delays or cancellations. (Yes, we will still call for snow days this winter if conditions are right!) Text HPS to 48421 to sign up for HPS Mobile Text Alerts