November 2, 2020 

Dear Families and Staff, 

The health and safety of our students, teachers, and staff are our highest priorities. We have learned that a student has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), they have been advised to self-quarantine. 

As soon as we were notified of the positive case, HPS Health Services began collaborating closely with district administration and the Hartford Health Department to follow protocol. The last day the student was at Bulkeley High School (585 Wethersfield Avenue) was October 29. HPS Health Services has conducted contact tracing and discovered 5 staff members and 47 students were in close contact with the positive case. Bulkeley High School administration and school staff is in the process of contacting those individuals who were in close contact and advising them to self-quarantine at home for 14 days.  

Hartford Public Schools’ custodial staff will follow protocols for cleaning and disinfecting the building. These protocols follow state and federal guidelines for preventing the spread of illness.  

Teachers, staff, and district administration are working closely with the school to implement protocols and provide support as needed.  

In-person classes are currently scheduled to continue unless otherwise notified. As a reminder, it is critical that parents or guardians keep their children home if they exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms and inform their child’s school immediately in the event their child is tested for COVID-19, tests positive for COVID-19, or if your family has been contacted by the health department regarding a potential exposure.  

Below is the list of COVID-19 symptoms to monitor in family members:

• • Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher) 
  • Chills or shaking chills 
  • Uncontrolled new cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough) 
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath 
  • New loss of taste or smell

Students and staff exhibiting any of the above symptoms, or feeling ill, should call their medical provider to report their symptoms and ask about testing prior to seeking in-person care at a clinic, physician’s office, or hospital. They should also contact the school nurse or their supervisor.  

COVID-19 is spread mainly via person-to-person contact through contaminated air droplets from coughing and sneezing by an infected person. As with controlling the spread of other viruses, we urge students and staff to follow these preventive measures:  

• • Wash your hands frequently, but especially after using the restroom and before preparing or consuming food. Using soap and hot water, wash for about 20 seconds. Be sure to also wash your fingertips. When soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer. 
  • Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands or in the air. Always try to cough or sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze inside the elbow of your arm. 
  • As much as you can, avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose. 
  • Wear a face covering (mask) whenever there is a likelihood that you will be in the presence of others. 
  • Maintain social distancing (at least 6 feet) between yourself and others to the maximum extent possible. 

Thank you for your partnership in keeping everyone in our community healthy and safe. If you have any questions, please contact the school directly or call the HPS Health Services Hotline at 860-695-8760. 

Sincerely,  

Digna A. Marte
Principal
Bulkeley High School