Cranford Student Tests Positive For Coronavirus: Superintendent

CRANFORD, NJ — Cranford Superintendent of Schools Scott Rubin announced Tuesday that a student at the Hillside Avenue elementary school has tested positive for coronavirus, and the classmates' parents were told that class is canceled for Tuesday.

The student is self-isolating, the superintendent said.

The rest of the classrooms and other schools will remain on schedule for now, Rubin said. Cranford students have a choice of remote or hybrid on-site learning and were among the first to announce their plans in summer.

Rubin wrote Tuesday, "The Township Health Office, who is conducting contact tracing, will communicate directly with those individuals who may have been exposed to this student and will advise those families accordingly. Please be advised that families in that classroom have already been notified that school will not take place for those students in-person today, September 29, while the Township Health Office looks into the matter and conducts contact tracing. Also, the District is currently conducting an additional deep cleaning of the classroom."

Other are schools have shut recently because of students testing positive, such as Westfield High School.

Here is a recent story on Cranford's coronavirus statistics. READ MORE: Cranford Confirms A Coronavirus Fatality; Town Facilities Reopen

Here is Rubin's letter:

<blockquote>

Dear Cranford Community,

This letter is to inform you that earlier this morning, the district was informed that an individual in an elementary class at Hillside Avenue School tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently self-isolating. The District is working closely with public health officials in order to assure the health and safety of our community. The Township Health Office, who is conducting contact tracing, will communicate directly with those individuals who may have been exposed to this student and will advise those families accordingly.

Please be advised that families in that classroom have already been notified that school will not take place for those students in-person today, September 29, 2020, while the Township Health Office looks into the matter and conducts contact tracing. Also, the District is currently conducting an additional deep cleaning of the classroom.

In the meantime, the Township Health Department has verified that, at the present time, the rest of Hillside Avenue School and all other District schools should continue to operate on their current schedules.

I also recognize that many of you would like more detailed information about the case or contacts of the case. The information I am providing you here has been composed in consultation with and vetted by the Department of Health, and I am not in a position to comment further.

We are hopeful that the mitigation measures we have in place, such as universal masking, screening procedures, social distancing, enhanced cleaning procedures, and other precautions, will have their intended effect and reduce or minimize the risk of transmission in the school environment. We encourage parents and students to continue following the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention promoted safeguards, such as:

• Staying home when you are sick;
• Washing hands often for at least 20 seconds;
• Covering coughs and sneezes and properly disposing of tissues;
• Limiting close contact with people who are sick and not sharing food, drinks and utensils;
• Practicing social distancing (staying at least 6 feet apart);
• Wearing a face covering while in school; and
• Continuing to monitor your health for symptoms

As always, we appreciate your support and cooperation. Moving forward, you can assist us by remaining vigilant but sensible in your approach to dealing with this health concern. Thank you for your ongoing patience and flexibility as we continue to make our way through this school year.

Scott Rubin
Superintendent

</blockquote>

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