COVID

January 20, 2022

Dear HNJ Community,

As partners in education, we understand that the ever-changing COVID protocols can be confusing and frustrating. There is also a lot of inconsistent information out there about recommendations, guidelines, and mandates, which can add to the confusion. 

We receive direct guidance from the Louisiana Department of Health and Orleans Parish, and we must follow their directives in order to maintain our health inspection and keep the school open. We understand that it can be disruptive and difficult when you receive notification that your student must quarantine. Believe us when we say that our desire is to maintain in-person instruction and to keep our students in school. We are equally frustrated when we have to send students home to quarantine.

Nurse Abby and I, having three children each, personally feel the effects this pandemic has on a household, work responsibilities, and the never-ending search for testing. We want you to know that we continuously advocate with state officials for the least restrictive quarantining option possible, while at the same time providing parents with the choice to utilize the longer quarantine option if they wish. We remain grateful for your flexibility, patience, understanding, and partnership.

Due to the volume of emails, calls, and other communication Nurse Abby and I receive hourly, it is necessary that we establish and manage expectations as we work to respond to each individual situation and affected people. Following the current guidelines during the Omicron surge has added an incredible workload on our faculty, staff, administration, and school nurse. We understand this work is necessary to maintain continuity for in-person learning, and we are grateful for the tireless efforts everyone is putting in around the clock, all while balancing their own families, typical HNJ job responsibilities, personal quarantines, and individual lives. 

In light of this, please note the following:

• Please send all COVID-related communications to adonnelly@hnjschool.org. Do not call the front office and never call or text personal cell phones of staff members.
• As we receive communication from our families about COVID cases, we are responding to each case in a triage manner. Cases requiring an immediate response will be prioritized. 
  • To help you understand the most current guidelines, refer to the most up-to-date Louisiana Department of Health decision tree. This is the state-mandated protocol we follow with each COVID case. If you are awaiting a response from Nurse Abby, or have questions, this protocol provides you with the information you need.
  • Please understand that it could take 48-72 hours for us to respond to each COVID policy inquiry. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
  • If you are reaching out to report a positive COVID-19 case or close contact exposure, please keep your child(ren) home until receiving confirmation from Nurse Abby of your return date and required actions. 
• Due to the expanded workload we are managing, and for the safety of our faculty and staff, we ask that parents not come into the office to speak with staff directly. If you have questions, please email Nurse Abby and we will respond as soon as we can. Coming into the office or calling to vent your frustration is taking our staff away from their responsibilities during a time when we are already overburdened.
• Help keep our campus as safe as possible by keeping your child(ren) home if they or anyone in the household is experiencing possible COVID-19 symptoms. Symptoms should be evaluated and resolved before returning. 
• Do not send your child(ren) to school following symptoms, exposure, and/or a positive/pending result without the above-mentioned confirmation to return.

Maintaining in-person instruction remains our primary goal, as we believe students learn best and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally when they are in school. We appreciate your partnership with us as we navigate these unprecedented times. Please join us in praying for an end to this pandemic and for the health and safety of our faculty, staff, students, and families.

May God bless each of you and your families!

Kirsch J. Wilberg