Case
COVID Positive

A teacher found out a child in the 5th grade POD tested positive for COVID. The school administration said the building was being cleaned over the weekend but was not notifying student's families that were not in the same classroom as the child. Yet, the teacher knows the child who tested positive shares the same P.E and Art class as her students. This teacher is also very aware that a few children in her class have preexisting conditions, as well as a few of her students, are being raised by their grandparents. Shes worried the school administration isn't doing enough to inform her student's families. She's fearful or reaching out to her student's parents and losing her job. What does she do?

Posted on: 10/06/20 | Views: 333
Solution #1
Top Solution
I think the teacher should speak with administration first and voice her concerns, this isn't something to be taken lightly and a lot of people can be affected. This is a serious issue especially for students who have preexisting conditions & those who live with older family members. Not telling families could be jeopardizing a lot of people's health. There also should be guidelines set by the district/ county in cases like this, so the teacher should research what the protocol is and follow/ present this information to administrators.

I agree with this. Because as teachers it is our job to make sure our students are in a safe learning environment and we are following those correct procedures to our families.

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Solution #2
The teacher absolutely needs to speak up to the administration. I also think the teacher needs to protect herself and have a paper trail of the documentations that shes followed through with whomever he/she has spoken with and what she has said needs to be done both in-person and email so that she is covering herself should there ever be any issues that arise from poor management os something this serious.
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Solution #3
The teacher needs to speak with her administration and advocate for the other students. There is a great concern with the affected individuals being children and possibly the elderly (due to the grandparents as a student's guardians). The administration needs to take all appropriate action and considering that the children in the class affected have interaction with other children in other classes.
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Solution #4
The teacher first should talk to the school administration first. If this doesn't help, the district's rules and procedures for this should be looked up. Follow what that procedure says as the district would be the most correct.

I agree and these are good first steps to take in finding a solution to this issue.

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Solution #5
The teacher should address his/her thoughts with administration. All students are parents should be made aware of the situation and then should have the choice to move forward in the way they see fit.
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Solution #6
Many students who have daily or multiple day contact with the student who tested positive need to be informed of that student who tested positive. It is risking many other lives, including those who are living with their grandparents and students with preexisting conditions. In the school district I am in everyone is notified of a positive COVID testing and those in closer contact are then quarantined as well. I would be going over the district's procedures for what to do next when someone tests positive for COVID before contacting anyone else. Know and understand the procedures and then continue with notifications to those who need it.
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Solution #7
I would make sure to discuss your concerns with administration first before going to the parents.
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Solution #8
I think the teacher needs to talk to the administration of her school. She needs to express her concerns and how it is unfair that they do this to her students.
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Solution #9
She should talk with the school administration and express her concerns. If they don't do anything, she should go to the county and express her concerns there. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do in this situation.
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Solution #10
I would talk to the administrators before reaching out to anyone because there may be a reason that they are not reaching out. I would get permission before reaching out to anyone, because typically there is a specific reason why they had not let them know yet.
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Solution #11
The teacher should first speak with administration. If speaking with administration does not help then the teacher should take this issue to the School's District officials. The teacher should also make sure they have documents and/or a paper trail to support their findings. This issue should not be ignored. The health and safety of too many students rely on this issue being handled appropriately.
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Solution #12
I agree with everyone that the teacher needs to stand up to administration and advocate for her students. Unfortunately, she will not be able to inform the parents without approval from administration. This could result in termination.
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Solution #13
The teacher should speak to administration about concerns. if all fails, she must make the decision based on the consequences.
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Solution #14
I would just voice your concerns very strongly to admin. 9/10 times they want to do what's best for the families.
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Solution #15
I believe that the administration should be contacted first and then they can decide where to go from there.
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Solution #16
I would reach out! This could save a superspreader event from ouccuring! If the Principal is not listening take this to the distric! This is not right! All students family, staff and teachers have the right to know if a student in that school or faclcuty memeber has tested positive.If that student was in the class that class needs to go online for 10-14 days. If i was a parent and i did not find out i would be upset. I say speak up and let the families know.
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Solution #17
In this situation, her hands are tied. In this situation, the school has a strict policy in place and she should not go gained it. This is still somewhat new and even though the concern is nice, the school needs to have a uniform way of handling this kind of situation.
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Solution #18
The teacher should share her concerns with administration, show them with a YouTube video how students in other classes were exposed to the virus, and should be contacted. She could also contact the parents of the children in her class, and tell her coworkers.
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