Good Afternoon Pottstown Parents and Guardians,

On Friday, Montgomery County leaders made another public announcement that the County designation is now moving from the medium to high CDC designation, due to rising positivity levels of COVID-19. Although hospitalization and severe disease continues to be low, there is increasing transmission and case positivity countywide.

Metrics on specific communities in the County are no longer being collected, but our experience within the District has still been low. However, we know that Covid-19 can spread easily and quickly. Therefore, we strongly recommend all students and staff use masks while indoors. Please click on the link below or see more information from the Office of Public Health.

Sincerely,

Stephen J. Rodriguez
Superintendent of Schools

https://www.montcopa.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3865

MASKING: The CDC strongly recommends masking in all indoor public settings when in the High COVID Community Level. The public is encouraged to wear the most protective mask you can that fits well and that you will wear consistently. Wearing a well-fitted mask along with vaccination, self-testing, and physical distancing, helps protect you and others by reducing the chance of spreading COVID-19. To find a free N95 mask near you, visit the CDC website. The public can also call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to locate free masks in your area. Please check with the location for availability. 

Visitors to all County owned and leased facilities are strongly encouraged to wear a mask when indoors.

VACCINES: Montgomery County continues to offer COVID-19 vaccinations at the following locations: 

• Bethel Community Church of Pottstown, 575 North Keim Street, Pottstown, PA 19464 

• Human Services Center, (Second Floor, OPH Clinic), 1430 DeKalb Street, Norristown, PA 19401 (Use the DeKalb Street entrance) 

• Willow Grove Annex, 102 York Road, 3rd floor, Willow Grove, PA 19090

Yesterday, the CDC authorized boosters for children ages 5 to 11. Beginning Monday, May 23, Montgomery County clinics will offer a booster dose for children ages 5 to 11. Appointments can now be scheduled for the children’s booster, and walk-ins will be accepted for all COVID-19 vaccinations. COVID-19 vaccine is offered at no charge to residents. The public can also visit www.vaccines.gov for a list of all vaccine providers. 

For general COVID-19 questions or to register for the vaccine by phone, call the Montgomery County COVID-19 hotline at (833) 875-3967. The hotline is open five days a week, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. General questions can also be emailed to [email protected].  

WHEN TO TEST: Individuals should take a COVID-19 test if: 

• You have COVID-?19 symptoms like cough, fever, sore throat, or runny nose, 

• Between four and six days after you come into close contact with someone with COVID-?19, or 

• When you’re going to gather with a group of people, especially those who are at risk of severe disease or may not be up to date on their COVID-?19 vaccines.

PCR TESTING: Montgomery County PCR COVID-19 testing sites are open various hours each weekday at five locations across the County weather permitting. Testing is free and is available to anyone who lives, works or goes to school in Montgomery County. Appointments can be made online up to four days in advance or starting at 8:30 a.m. by calling (610) 970-2937. 

AT-HOME TESTING: Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order up to three rounds of eight free at-home COVID-19 tests from the Federal government. Visit https://www.covid.gov/tests to place your order or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to order by phone. 

IF YOU TEST POSITIVE: If you test positive for COVID-19, follow the latest CDC guidance for isolation and notify your recent close contacts. If you test positive and have a weakened immune system or other health conditions, talk to a doctor as soon as possible about available treatment options. 

Regardless of whether you test positive, stay home if you feel sick to avoid spreading it to others. 

TREATMENT: Treatment must be started within days after you first develop symptoms to be effective. COVID-19 medications are now available through your doctor, local pharmacies, and health clinics. Check with your health care provider to see if you are a candidate for treatment, and use this tool to find where you can get tested and treated in the same location. 

For the latest COVID-19 guidance including information for schools and workplaces, visit www.montcopa.org/COVID-19Guidance.  

For the latest COVID-19 data, visit the Montgomery County COVID-19 HUB and COVID-19 Community Level by County.   

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As a result of contact tracing, and in order to slow any potential spread of COVID-19, the Office of Public Health for Montgomery County has recommended a virtual setting for one kindergarten classroom at Barth Elementary School for a period of two weeks starting Wednesday, September 1. More information about breakfast and lunch will be forthcoming to parents and students affected.

A letter was sent home to all affected students and contact was initiated to all parents as well. Anyone who has had potential close contact exposure has had communication from the school. If you have not received any direct communication from school personnel, then the only action you should take is to continue to watch for the symptoms I sent home in the email this past Friday.

Please rest assured that safety is our top priority and after that we will do all we can to safeguard in person instruction five days per week.

Sincerely,

Stephen J. Rodriguez
Superintendent of Schools

September 16, 2021  

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As a result of contact tracing, and in order to slow any further spread of COVID-19, the 7th grade at Pottstown Middle School will be in a virtual instructional format for a period of two weeks starting Friday, September 17.  7th grade students may not participate in co-curricular activities, before or after school during this time. 

Anyone who has had potential close contact exposure will have communication from the school. If you do not receive any direct communication from school personnel, then the only action you should take is to continue to watch for the symptoms sent home previously. 

Anyone interested in breakfast or lunch while their student is in quarantine may click here to sign up:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf8AVTaA3znFhkhEcsAoJ-Y00eBy9MwodolXKEqYXzXXWqesQ/viewform

See the attached brochure for more information.

Finally, if your child is being tested for Covid 19, exhibiting symptoms of Covid 19, or is positive for Covid 19 but not exhibiting symptoms, your child must stay home. Please rest assured that safety is our top priority but we will do all we can to safeguard in-person instruction five days per week.

Sincerely,

Stephen J. Rodriguez

Superintendent of Schools

August 30, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As a result of contact tracing, and in order to slow any potential spread of COVID-19, the Office of Public Health for Montgomery County has recommended a virtual setting for two of our 5th grade classrooms at Pottstown Middle School for a period of two weeks starting tomorrow. Meals will be provided to students via delivery service starting Wednesday morning

A letter was sent home to all affected students and contact was initiated to all parents as well. Anyone who has had potential close contact exposure has had communication from the school. If you have not received any direct communication from school personnel, then the only action you should take is to continue to watch for the symptoms I sent home in the email this past Friday.

Please rest assured that safety is our top priority and after that, we will do all we can to safeguard in person instruction five days per week.

Stephen J Rodriguez

Superintendent of Schools,
Pottstown School District

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The first week of full day in person school is over and we were filled with joy to see our students again! Even though masks can be uncomfortable, I was pleased to see a high level of cooperation by our students who were also excited to be back with their teachers learning again!

However, we have had multiple students and staff test positive or be “presumed positive”  with Covid-19 based on symptoms. We have also had close contact exposures because students have been sent to school symptomatic. If the situation does not improve, we could have serious operational issues that could affect our current program offering.

We need your help! In order to keep students and staff safe, and in order for our doors to remain open, everyone must do their part. I am asking all parents and guardians to utilize the following checklist and procedure every day before sending your child or children to school-  

Please do not send your child/children to school if your child/children:

1.  Experiences (1) one of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or new loss of taste or smell

OR

1. Experiences (2) two of the following symptoms: fever, chills, fatigue, myalgia (muscle pain), headaches, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea 

AND/OR

1. Lives in the same household with a sibling/family member that qualifies to stay home based on # 1 or 2 above 

**If your child/children are being tested and/or awaiting test results, they should stay home.  

No parent should be concerned with truancy if they are communicating with school officials and following the prescribed recommendations. 

We all share the common goal of providing in person quality educational opportunities for students.  Our combined efforts will help students remain safe and in school.  

Sincerely,

Stephen J. Rodriguez

Superintendent of Schools