Searsport ● Stockton Springs
Office of the Superintendent
6 Mortland Road
Searsport, ME 04974
January 12, 2022
Dear Families and Staff,
On January 12, 2022, The Maine CDC released a revised Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Responding to a Positive Case in Schools - dated January 11, 2022.
https://www.maine.gov/doe/covid-19/sop
The Maine CDC stated the COVID-19 Omicron variant has reduced the value of contact tracing and districts that enforce a universal masking policy may choose to suspend contract tracing.
RSU #20 has a universal masking policy in place and will suspend contact tracing in order to focus on COVID-19 measures, such as pooled testing, to keep students and staff in the classroom.
RSU #20 Pooled testing: https://www.rsu20.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=2241259&type=d&pREC_ID=2252233
Please continue to use the Pre-Screening Tool and if your student is feeling ill, please keep them home and have them tested for COVID-19.
Maine Department of Education Pre-Screening Tool: https://www.maine.gov/doe/sites/maine.gov.doe/files/inline-files/Maine%20DOE%20Pre-Screening%20Tool%20for%20School%20Attendance%2010.19.2021_1.pdf
Sincerely,
Chris Downing
Superintendent of Schools RSU 20