Superintendent September 20, 2020

On Saturday, September 19, 2020, the Catasauqua Area School District was notified of a confirmed case(s) of coronavirus (COVID-19) at the Catasauqua Middle School. The student’s family and contacts have been notified and appropriate quarantine/isolation is in effect for impacted individuals, in accordance with CDC and PA Department of Health Guidelines.

The Catasauqua Middle School will remain open at this time. However, please be aware that in the case of two or more confirmed COVID-19 cases within a school building, that particular building will be closed for a period of at least one week, and all instruction will be performed synchronously and asynchronously by instructional staff from their classrooms to students in their homes via our instructional platform(s).

Staff members and students who may have come into close contact (any individual within 6 feet of an infected individual for at least 15 minutes, uninterrupted) with the individual, will be directly contacted by their local health department and/or school district officials with instructions to self-quarantine.

You are encouraged to do the following to help prevent the spread of illness at home and in school:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Wash your hands frequently.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Cover your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow when you cough and sneeze.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

• Practice social distancing and wear a face covering.

Please keep your child home if they are experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms: fever (I00°F or greater), cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, lack of smell or taste, sore throat, chills, muscle pain, headache, congestion, or runny nose.

The Catasauqua Area School District will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as needed. Please know the health and safety of our students and staff is our priority.

If you have any questions or concerns about this information, please contact your building administration. We thank you for your continued cooperation and support.

Sincerely,
Robert J. Spengler

Superintendent of Schools