COVID Update
January 26, 2021
AVERY INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
150 San Antonio Street Debbie Drew, Superintendent
Avery, Texas 75554 Jill Mahan, Secondary Principal
Telephone: (903) 684-3460 Karen Downs, Elementary Principal
Fax: (903) 684-3294 Brent Jackson, Counselor
Kelli House, Director of Business Operations
Tuesday January 26, 2021
Dear Bulldog Families:
The CDC currently recommends a quarantine period of 14 days. However, based on local circumstances and resources, the following options to shorten quarantine were released by the CDC and DSHS. Of course, these shortened quarantined options had specific guidelines and criteria. The options included a 7-day and 10-day option with the criteria that the person would have to monitor for symptoms daily before coming to school; wear a mask at all times; and socially distance.
Schools could choose to allow this option or to have a school protocol that does not allow this option. Avery ISD chose to try this option when we returned from the Holiday break. During this month, we are experiencing a large number of cases and close-contact quarantines. As our numbers continue to increase, we’ve examined our allowance for the shortened quarantine options. CDC guidance indicates that “any option to shorten quarantine risks being less effective than the currently recommended 14-day quarantine.” In addition, we have found that not all students have been able to follow the shortened quarantine guidelines/criteria strictly.
With this knowledge, Avery ISD has now made the decision to no longer allow the shortened quarantine options for students. Effective immediately no student may return to campus under the 7-day or 10-day quarantine option. The students that have already returned to campus will be allowed to complete their shortened option as long as they can adhere to the guidelines. If they are not able to adhere to the guidelines, they will be sent home to complete their 14 day quarantine. The updated protocol will be posted on the Avery ISD website.
Debbie Drew, M.Ed.
Superintendent
Avery ISD
