By Jessica Hutchison
LCO School Superintendant
This is to inform you that we recently received notification that an elementary student has tested positive for COVID-19. In accordance with our safety protocols, the notification of a positive case has been shared with our local tribal health center, the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School Board, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Contact tracing will be conducted by the Sawyer County Health Department (SCHD) in cooperation with Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School Staff. Anyone who is a close contact of the positive case will be notified directly by SCHD.
Though the news of our first positive case is difficult to report, please be assured that we at the school are and will continue to take all recommended precautions to protect the health and safety of our students, staff and community, including required quarantines and testing for all impacted students and staff. A thorough deep cleaning will be provided to the entire building, vehicles, and equipment prior to any students returning to the building. Please stay tuned to social media and robo calls for further information regarding returning to classes.
We will continue to advise parents to keep students home from school if they are sick. Students that are ill or have been in contact with a positive case are required to notify the school immediately. As always, parents and families are encouraged to practice frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, wearing masks or face coverings, staying home as much as possible, and avoiding large gatherings.
Students should continue to monitor any of the following symptoms and contact the Sawyer County Covid Hotline at 715 934-4518 for further guidance:
● Fever of 100 degrees or higher ● Chills ● Cough ● Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing ● Fatigue ● Muscle or body aches ● Headache ● Loss of taste or smell ● Sore throat ● congestion /runny nose ● Nausea/vomiting ● Diarrhea
We are keeping all of our students and their families in our thoughts as we continue to navigate the path forward and appreciate your continued support of the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School.