RSU 12 In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan

COVID-19 and RSU 12 Guidance for Instruction

Updated March 26, 2024

  • In RSU 12, all students are engaged in on-site learning. No remote learning takes place.

  • Well-fitting face masks worn correctly reduce transmission of respiratory pathogens and are always optional in RSU 12.

  • We follow the most recent guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control. See Updated Guidance below. (Updated 3/7/2024)

Respiratory Virus Guidance and COVID-19 Mitigation Policy

These procedures are designed to support the safety of RSU 12 staff, students, and families as we provide services to the RSU 12 community. RSU 12 closely monitors public health in our community and adjusts as appropriate to maintain safe environments. All guidance below is a recommendation, not a requirement.

This update incorporates information from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), specifically their Respiratory Virus Guidance, published in March 2024. As the threat from COVID-19 becomes more similar to that of other common respiratory viruses, CDC issued Respiratory Virus Guidance, rather than additional virus-specific guidance. This brings a unified, practical approach to addressing risk from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, such as influenza and RSV, that have similar routes of transmission and symptoms and similar prevention strategies.

When you have a respiratory virus infection, you can spread it to others. How long someone can spread the virus depends on factors, including how sick they are (severity) and how long their illness lasts (duration). This is not the same for everyone. When, for at least 24 hours, your symptoms are getting better overall and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication), you are typically less contagious, but it still takes more time for your body to fully get rid of the virus. During this time, you may still be able to spread the virus to others. Taking precautions for the next 5 days can help reduce this risk. 

I have COVID-like symptoms. What should I do? (Updated 3/7/2024)

  • Stay home if you are sick. Avoid close contact with others, including people you live with who are not sick.

  • Consider calling your health care provider to discuss options.

  • If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), get emergency medial care immediately.

  • Test for respiratory viruses to help you decide what to do next. This could include a COVID-19 test, as well as other tests that a health care provider can run for other illnesses.

 I tested positive for COVID-19. Now what should I do? (Updated 3/7/2024)

  • Stay home if you are sick. Avoid close contact with others, including people you live with who are not sick.

  • Call your health care provider to discuss options.

  • If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), get emergency medical care immediately.

When can I go back to work and normal activities after being sick? (Updated 3/7/2024)

  • It is recommended that you consider going back to your work and normal activities when BOTH are true:

    • Your symptoms are getting better overall for at least 24 hours, AND

    • You have no fever for at least 24 hours (without using fever-reducing medication)

  • Even when you feel better, you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick. It is recommended that you consider taking these added steps for the next 5 days after going back to work or normal activities:

  • Remember, if you develop a fever or start to feel worse after you go back to normal activities, stay home and away from other people again. Stay home until you feel better and are fever free for 24 hours again.

More Information

  • RSU 12 no longer contact traces for close contacts. 

  • You will not be notified about exposure to COVID-19 that may have happened at school.

  • RSU 12 references this summary guidance from the Maine CDC and Maine DOE

  • We are responsive to changing conditions.

  • We will make every effort to communicate any changes to these protocols.

  • In the event of a public health emergency due to a respiratory illness, RSU 12 will seek guidance from the Maine CDC and review the RSU 12 policies. 

COVID-19 Symptom Checker is here for your reference

Public Reporting

Below is a list of COVID-19 Positive Cases in RSU 12 schools that resulted in possible exposure. This list was started on January 3, 2022

Stay up to date with notifications from RSU 12:

  1. On our website - www.svrsu.org

  2. On our app - In the App Store or In Google Play Say yes to notifications in settings!

  3. On Facebook - facebook/RSU12

Archived Letters and Information

If you are looking for additional ideas to support your child's learning during this time, please visit the links below:

PreK - Grade 2 Resources

Grade 3 - Grade 5 Resources

Grade 6 - Grade 8 Resources

Special Education Services:

See this letter to parents dated April 9, 2020 regarding Special Education Services.  Questions can be directed to your child's case manager, to Delia Dearnley - Director of Special Education, or to Patricia Block - Assistant Director of Special Education.

WHAT IS COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a novel (new) coronavirus which was first detected in December 2019 in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and has now been detected in other countries, including the United States.

For some, the respiratory virus causes mild symptoms like the common cold or influenza (flu), for others it can cause severe pneumonia that requires medical care or hospitalization.

The virus is named "SARS-CoV-2" and the disease it causes is named "coronavirus disease 2019" (abbreviated "COVID-19").

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Symptoms of COVID-19 may include:

  • Fever

  • Cough

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Sore throat (in some patients)

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

Most patients experience mild symptoms and can recuperate at home, but others, particularly those with underlying medical conditions, may experience more severe respiratory illness.

HOW DOES IT SPREAD?

The virus appears to spread in similar ways to influenza (flu) and the common cold. This may include spreading through:

  • The air by coughing and sneezing

  • Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands

  • Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes

The virus can spread from person-to-person and in some locations there is apparent community spread, meaning some people are infected and are not sure how or where they became infected.

HOW CAN I HELP TO PREVENT THE SPREAD?

There are simple steps you can take to reduce the possible spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses such as influenza and the common cold:

  1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer

  2. Avoid close contact with people who are sick

  3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands

  4. Stay home while you're sick and avoid close contact with others

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE SYMPTOMS?

Call ahead to a health care professional if you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing. Tell your health care professional about any recent travel or contact with other COVID-19 cases. Your healthcare professional will work with Maine CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19. More information is available on the U.S. CDC's What You Should Know page.

Resources and Links: