Natrona County Schools Smart Start Communication Update – September 11, 2020

Press release from Natrona County Schools:

September 11, 2020

We are so excited to welcome our students, staff, and school families back to school. We know the devastating impacts of COVID-19 across our community. As a district, we will continue to create a quality and meaningful learning experience for all students, while also ensuring we maintain a safe learning environment.

We have received many questions regarding COVID-19 quarantine and isolation processes and practices as related to students and staff members. Understandably, it can be difficult to hear you or your child has been required to quarantine as a result of a known COVID-19 positive.

If your student is required by the Casper-Natrona County Health Department to isolate or quarantine, the Natrona County School District will provide remote learning and instruction. We feel your frustration and understand how altering this can be for your child – especially as they are unable to participate in school activities/clubs/athletics or events while on quarantine. We are committed to continuing to support the learning needs of any student who is identified as required to quarantine or isolate by CNCHD.

The Natrona County School District does not contact trace for close contacts, test students for COVID-19, or have the authority to quarantine or isolate individuals as related to COVID-19.

The authorizing and directing agency for student quarantine and isolation is the appropriate health experts at the Casper-Natrona County Health Department.

The Casper-Natrona County Health Department is responsible for contacting individuals directly impacted by a known COVID-19 positive in Natrona County, as identified through their investigative contact tracing process.

If you have any questions regarding the process of identifying what constitutes a close contact, questions about quarantine or isolation, or COVID-19 testing please contact the Casper-Natrona County Health Department at 307-577-9892.

As a reminder, please stay home if you are sick or showing symptoms of COVID-19 and contact your health care provider or the Casper-Natrona County Health Department. Please do not come to school if you are sick or showing symptoms of COVID-19. We are asking for your help to keep schools open, we greatly appreciate the support and cooperation of our entire community.

The Natrona County School District will continue to work in collaboration with the Casper-Natrona County Health Department in response to COVID-19. We appreciate your partnership and support as we work together to provide a high-quality learning environment for all students while maintaining our commitment to the safety and health of all students, staff, and the community.

This press release was produced by Natrona County Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.