Howell HS Students Potentially Exposed To COVID-19

HOWELL, NJ – Several students from Howell High School have been potentially exposed to COVID-19, prompting the cancelation of football and volleyball practices this week, according to school officials.

The students in question attended an “out-of-school event” last week and were potentially exposed to the novel coronavirus, Freehold Regional High School District spokeswoman Rebecca Policastro told NJ.com.

At least one parent of an athlete was sent a letter from Howell High School Principal Jeremy Braverman on Saturday, Aug. 22 warning of the potential exposure.

"Your child may have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-10 during the optional summer workout," the letter reads. "Please know that social distancing procedures and protocols were in place during the workouts, however, it is important that you remain vigilant in watching your child for signs and symptoms of COVID-19".

Recipients of the letter were instructed to quarantine their children for 14 days (as of Aug. 20) and seek an evaluation from a medical doctor for signs and symptoms of the virus.

The high school has been offering optional workouts for fall sports for football, girls’ tennis, girls’ volleyball, field hockey and boys’ and girls’ soccer. Parents and students are required to complete daily COVID-19 screening questions before arriving on campus and must have their temperature taken, according to the Howell High School website.

Howell High School is part of the Freehold Regional High School District, which announced yesterday that all six high schools in the district would be starting the school year via remote instruction. Officials say that a potential to begin a hybrid model of instruction will come in October if the district resolves its staffing shortage in time.

Read more: Amid Staff Shortage, Freehold HS District Will Begin Remotely

"Unfortunately, a significant number of employee workplace accommodations and leave requests will not allow us to adequately staff our buildings in a manner that provides for effective teaching and learning to occur in our Hybrid Schedule," wrote Superintendent Dr. Charles Sampson in a letter addressed to district families. "This means the Freehold Regional High School District will begin our school year on September 10, 2020 using the All Students Remote Schedule."

At a recent board of education meeting, the superintendent also mentioned that roughly 250 staff members would be requesting leave or accommodations for the upcoming school year under the The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

"Unfortunately, a significant number of employee workplace accommodations and leave requests will not allow us to adequately staff our buildings in a manner that provides for effective teaching and learning to occur in our Hybrid Schedule," wrote the superintendent.

This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.

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