As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic as a school community, we wanted to alert you to a change in our reporting procedures for positive cases involving students. Effective January 31, 2022, positive and/or probable cases will be reported at the end of each school day in a document containing the pertinent information organized by building/classroom. They will no longer be reported to the individual parents of students deemed close contacts. Due to the time required to contact trace positive cases and the much higher rate of transmissibility of the Omicron variant, our new process will alert the parents of all students in a classroom with a probable or positive case of COVID-19. 

As you know, we have been struggling to maintain adequate levels of staffing over the past several months. During this time, we have been overwhelmed by the COVID-19 contact tracing process which, based on our current procedures, requires an incredible amount of time and resources. Following the new guidance for how schools should approach isolation and quarantine, we felt it was the right time to change our reporting processes to help alleviate the strain on our support staff and administrators. 

It is important to note that one of the major factors related to mitigating the spread of this virus in schools remains the same: Please keep sick students at home and notify your child’s school of a positive test result for COVID-19. Further, please continue to monitor students for symptoms – especially those students with recent potential exposures. Anyone with symptoms should isolate and test. Students who have potentially been exposed may quarantine, but it is not required at this time.

The District will continue to alert parents and staff of school-associated positive cases using the individual building format contained in this link. We will track positive cases and potential exposures for a period of 10 days. 

In Lapeer, we are fortunate to have a staff that is dedicated to doing everything we can to keep our schools open for students. This remains our commitment to you.  

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Regards,

Matt Wandrie – LCS Superintendent