Regional School Unit No. 56
147 Weld Street, Dixfield, Maine 04224
Phone: (207)562-4300 - Fax: (207)562-6075
Pam Doyen, Superintendent of Schools
November 30, 2020
Dear Staff, Students, and Families,
This letter is to inform you that four employees associated with the RSU 56 school system, all based at TWKDMS, recently tested positive for COVID-19. Additionally, several employees throughout the district are under close-contact quarantine as required by CDC. Anyone who was considered a close contact has received a call from school indicating such. Due to this situation, RSU 56 does not currently have enough bus drivers/custodians available to safely open all of our schools on December 3, 2020 as previously outlined; therefore, only students at Dirigo Elementary School will resume in-person classes on Thursday, December 3, 2020. DHS and TWKDMS students will continue to receive remote instruction through Friday, December 4, 2020 and will return to in-person instruction starting Monday, December 7, 2020.
Please continue to monitor yourself and your student for signs and symptoms. Call a health care provider if symptoms start. It is important that you call a healthcare facility before you show up in person. Stay home if you are sick. Please let the school know if your child tests positive for COVID19. Working together, we can mitigate the spread of COVID19 within our schools.
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that ranges from mild to severe. It can be more severe in adults 60 years and older and in those with underlying conditions. The virus mainly spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes and an uninfected person breathes in the virus. Signs and symptoms include:
COVID Symptoms
Less Common Most Common
Headache Cough
Runny nose/congestion Shortness of breath
Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea New loss of taste or smell
Muscle pain Fever (100.4 degrees or higher)
Fatigue Sore Throat
Chills
Maine CDC recommends prevention measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These measures include proper handwashing with soap and warm water, which is especially important after using the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. When soap and water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands and avoid close contact with people who are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Questions for the district can be directed to Pam Doyen by calling 207 562-4251. For general COVID-19 questions, dial 211 (or 1-866-811-5695). You can also text your ZIP code to 898-211 or email info@211maine.org. Call a health care provider for questions about your symptoms. More information can be found at www.maine.gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
Sincerely,
Pam Doyen, Superintendent