Staff Member At Conte Tests Positive For COVID-19

This is from a press release From
PITTSFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ADMINISTRATION CENTER

Late in the evening of Friday, November 6, 2020, the Pittsfield Public Schools, in partnership with The City of Pittsfield Department of Health, was notified that a staff member at Conte Community School tested positive for COVID-19.

The Pittsfield Public Schools have closely monitored, and planned for, the potential arrival of coronavirus cases within our school community, and we wish to share important information about our response, as well as ask for your partnership in helping prevent the spread of this, and other, illnesses.

The confirmed case involves a staff member that was most recently physically in attendance at the Conte Community School facilities on 11/6/2020.

While this is an evolving situation, we are following protocols and guidance from the CDC, DPH, DESE, MassGov, and other public officials.

The Pittsfield Department of Health has reached out to each staff and family member that has been identified as potentially being in close contact with the infected individual. Via our school district and tracing protocols, information related to specific circumstances, action steps, requirements, and recommendations, have been communicated – and will continue to be communicated – to any Conte Community School staff and students identified as potentially being in close contact with the infected individual

In line with guidance via collaborating agencies, the Pittsfield Public Schools will not close the entire school. Students and staff in the affected classroom will participate in remote learning through November 20, 2020.

Per the Pittsfield Public Schools established protocols, all areas of the building that the individual accessed in the days preceding their positive test result will be thoroughly cleaned, and disinfected before the start of school on Monday, November 9, 2020. All buses were thoroughly sanitized on Friday, November 6 as part of regularly established protocols.

The Pittsfield Public Schools will continue to monitor community absentee rates, reports of illness, and test positivity daily incidence rate metrics, to determine if school closure or in-person education initiatives require modification at Conte Community School.

The health and safety, cleaning, sanitizing, and communication protocols are in place for a specific reason, to prevent the spread of viruses and COVID-19 transmission within schools. Everyone following the expectation of self-certifying each day, wearing a mask, sanitizing hands often, and staying at least six feet apart from any other person will help stop the spread of the Coronavirus in our schools and community at large.

Out of an abundance of caution, and in addition to previous communications with specific students and staff identified through contact tracing, we are making the entire community aware of the confirmed case.

We are following previously established protocols, as well as the most up-to-date guidance provided by multiple agencies, in conjunction with identifying cases of coronavirus within schools.

The Pittsfield Public Schools are committed to the health and safety of the members of our community. In an effort to identify potential exposures, identify potential trace contacts, and provide appropriate support efforts associated with the COVID-19 virus, the Pittsfield Public Schools and City of Pittsfield Health Department appreciate the support and collaboration amongst all, as they relate to our ability to protect our community.

The ongoing commitment, perseverance, and sacrifice that our students, families, and staff are making to facilitate education in Pittsfield will provide our students the necessary resources to succeed during – and after – the COVID-19 era. As we re-envision the academic experiences of our student body and staff during these unprecedented times, The Pittsfield Public Schools is grateful for the continued resiliency and spirit of the entire City of Pittsfield.