Health and safety protocols make big impact in NEISD schools
For many parents, receiving weekly or even daily emails and letters from their child’s school about COVID-19 can feel overwhelming.
“Those notification letters go home even if that person who’s tested positive has not been at campus at all during their contagious period. Or, if they had already been quarantined due to contact with a positive family member,” Emma Kelly said.
Kelly is the Assistant Director of Health Services in North East ISD and has been with the District since 2010.
In July, she and Superintendent Dr. Sean Maika, were selected to represent NEISD on San Antonio Metropolitan Health District’s task force to develop recommendations for the safe re-opening of schools.
Kelly said, in an effort to be fully transparent, the District sends out these COVID-19 notifications to keep parents informed.
“So, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the person who tested positive was at school when they were contagious. It’s just a case in the community that we want to make sure that everyone is aware of,” she explained.
Metro Health reported on Dec. 8 that out of more than 600 schools across Bexar county, there has only been seven in-school transmission cases.
“The things that seem to have been impacting the success of students being in school are the use of face masks, the distancing when possible, the disinfection and cleaning guidelines, the support of parents and families to keep students’ home if they are experiencing any symptoms,” Kelly added.
She also explained that as long as the coronavirus exists in the community, it will unfortunately affect some students and staff, however the safety protocols in place are proving to be effective in helping prevent spread into classrooms.
“The measures that we have in place, those are still making a big impact on the safety in the schools,” Kelly said.
North East ISD has even gone one step further, offering symptomatic students and staff rapid COVID-19 testing in a convenient and easy-to-access way.
"The testing is free, it takes 15 minutes to get results. We have a drive-thru testing set up so you just drive up, we do the nasal swab while you are in your car then you park and wait for 15 minutes. Then, we walk the results right out to you,” Kelly explained of the process.
She said another thing that families are excited about is the opportunity to have access some information right away.
Parents do still have the option between virtual and in-person instruction and are always encouraged to contact to their campus with any questions.
“Really, that campus nurse is such an amazing resource for families. If parents have any questions about a specific situation, what to do, or whether or not their child should go to school, please reach out to your campus nurse. They are your go-to person for all of those answers.”
To learn more about NEISD Health Services, click here: https://www.neisd.net/domain/254
Because #NEISDcares!
