Good afternoon. This is Kathy Harris-Smedberg, Interim Superintendent of the Bangor School Department, writing to inform you that we have recently received notification of at least one confirmed case of COVID-19 in a student or staff person at Bangor High School. We are working closely with Bangor Public Health and the Maine CDC to minimize the spread of the virus. If you or your child have been identified as having been potentially exposed, the CDC or a Bangor nurse will contact you today and will provide you with more information regarding what you will need to do. Please know that all people in contact with the confirmed case will need to quarantine for 14 days. A negative test result does not allow an individual to shorten quarantine time.

Due to the number of staff impacted and out of an abundance of caution, Bangor High School will move to remote learning through December 4. Students will return to in person learning Monday, December 7.

You should monitor yourself and your child for signs and symptoms. Call a health care provider if symptoms begin. For general COVID-19 questions, dial 211.

The safety of our students and staff is a top priority. To reduce the spread and impact of COVID-19, wear your face mask, wash your hands frequently, follow physical distancing, clean and disinfect high touch areas, and practice good hygiene.

We encourage you to review the CDC website for information about COVID-19, including its symptoms, how it spreads, and actions you can take to protect your health: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. All of us at the Bangor School Department understand that this is a serious and stressful situation. Additional information about coping with stress can be found on the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html. We will continue to provide you with regular updates about the situation and will promptly notify you if we identify any additional students or staff with confirmed COVID-19.

Stay safe and be well.

Kathy Harris-Smedberg, Ph.D

Interim Superintendent of the Bangor School Department