October 15, 2020 Update

 

Dear parents, families, and the North Reading Public Schools community,

I'm writing today with just a few important reminders about school health and safety. The town of North Reading continues to remain in the “yellow” category and it is as important than ever that we follow all rules for physical distancing, social gatherings, mask wearing, and hand washing both in school and when at home.

Daily Health Screener

All staff and students should continue to complete our Daily Health Screener. This should be done in the morning before coming on the bus or campus (not the night before or after arrival).

Travel

With the holiday season approaching it is important to consider all the restrictions in place concerning travel.

As described on our Daily Health Screener, if you plan travel anywhere that is not considered a low risk state you need to contact your Principal or the Superintendent before returning to campus.

For anyone considering travel you must follow all of the COVID-19 Travel Order. In addition, the North Reading Public Schools requires that all students and staff who travel anywhere that is not a low risk state must produce a negative test or must quarantine in accordance with the travel order. This is an additional safety requirement for our schools beyond what the Governor’s order requires that we have deemed necessary to ensure the safety of all staff and students.

The specifics of what is required can be discussed with the principal or school nurse prior to travel as there are many extenuating circumstances that may be taken into consideration.

Using School Facilities During School Hours

As a reminder, community members are not allowed to use school facilities (track, tennis courts, etc.) during the school day. We will be sending a reminder message to the community but we also want to be sure that all of our parents and families are aware as well.

This is an ongoing safety consideration and it is especially important now, during this pandemic, that our students are physically distanced from anyone using the track or facilities during the school day or during school athletics or activities in the afternoon.

There are many signs posted on the fields but we will look to add additional reminders for everyone in the community in order to provide the safest environment for our students and staff.

As always, thank you for your support of our schools.

Be well,

Dr. Daly

Available Positions

 Hello everyone,

In order to continue to provide the very best learning opportunities for our students we need additional support. Please consider applying for these available paid positions at our schools:

Building Based Substitutes

The North Reading Public Schools continue to seek qualified applicants to serve as building based substitutes. 

• There are positions at all three elementary schools five days per week.
• Candidates can “job share” and work only on the days when their children are in school.
• The position pays $95 per day and $60 on ½ days.
• Candidates will only be assigned to work at one school building for the entire school year

Batchelder Elementary School	7:30 a.m. - 2:10 p.m.
Little Elementary School	7:50 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
North Reading High School	8:15 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.

Interested applicants may apply by completing the application via school spring at the following link: https://www.schoolspring.com/job.cfm?jid=3344979&print&preview

Remote Learning Assistants 

Job Description  https://www.schoolspring.com/job.cfm?jid=3377936

The remote learning support positions will support students' learning and development in grades 1-2 remotely. The staff member will work closely with the classroom teachers and support faculty to identify students in need of support, develop plans to support those students, and implement those support plans. The staff member will work from the school building. The staff member may also be asked to assist with outside supervision during arrival and dismissal.
These positions start October 19, 2020 through the end of the 2020-21 school year. Work schedule to be coordinated with Building Administration (M, T, TH, F; 3 hours per day, 12 hours per week). The hourly rate is $19.31 to 22.55 depending on experience.

• Position Type: Part-time
• Positions Available: 3

October 1, 2020 Update

 Dear Parents and Families,

To begin with I would like to thank everyone for their continued support of our schools. The students are complying with all of the rules and regulations both when in remote and in person and wearing masks, physically distancing, and washing their hands as needed. Students and staff are staying home when sick, or for related reasons, out of an abundance of caution. And everyone continues to complete our daily health screener which is providing us with additional information to keep our buildings safe.

Earlier this summer Massachusetts released the COVID-19 Community-Level Data Map which reflects the average daily cases of COVID-19 per 100,000: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/community-level-covid-19-data-reporting

As you may be aware, the town of North Reading has recently moved into the “yellow” on this map based upon some recent cases. As you can imagine, with a population the size of North Reading it does not take many cases to move into the yellow or the red and for the relative change in case count to be designated as “higher.” At this time the two week case count for North Reading  is ten (10) and the average daily incident rate is 4.32%.

The District believes that this is an important time to remind everyone how important it is to maintain the best practices and habits we have been practicing in order to remain safe. Although we continue to “open up” as a state, COVID-19 is still a reality and it is as important now as ever to be vigilant in taking safety precautions in order for our schools and other buildings to remain open.

It is also important to recognize that North Reading moving into the “red” would not necessarily mean that all schools will be closed. The average daily case data is very important to inform the frequent conversations that I am having with the Health Director, Public Health Nurse, the Town Administrator, and our Police and Fire Chief to make the best decisions for our town and schools. For example, the recent outbreak at Merrimack College did not present an "increased risk of transmission to staff and students" for students in the K-12 North Andover schools and so the decision was made for those schools to remain open.

Similarly, in North Reading, we along with Health Department and public safety officials will continue to review the data and contact trace in order to determine whether there is "increased risk of transmission to staff and students.” When the students are in school they are masked, six feet apart, and washing their hands frequently. In some ways being in school may be the safest place for our students as they are monitored by the educators and administration and following all of our school rules and procedures related to COVID-19. Our Board of Health and Town Officials agree that if the schools are safe and there is not an increased risk of transmission then it is best for our schools to remain open.

Our school nurses will continue to work with North Reading’s Public Health Nurse to determine these risks and to help inform our decisions. If North Reading’s average daily rate were to lead us into the “red” I would communicate with the school community about what this means for our schools at that particular point in time based on the specific information that we have available. We may need to have a “remote day” while we determine a longer term decision. We may need to switch to full remote for some or all of our students. We may also be able to remain open, as we have determined that there is not an increased risk at that time.

Of course, if there is an outbreak of positive cases at a school or within the district there may be a need to close one or more schools even if the town as a whole is not in the “red.” In the event of a positive case of a student or a staff member all parents, families, and staff will be notified through email communication while those in close contact will be notified of the additional steps that need to be taken to quarantine. 

Our nurses are doing a fantastic job of reviewing the daily health screeners and also making the determinations to ask students who are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms to be dismissed and/or to remain home until they meet the benchmarks established by the Department of Public Health and The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Please continue to support our nurses and understand that having students stay home when potentially ill and exhibiting symptoms is a necessary step to help all of our schools remain open.

As always, thank you for your continued support and patience in these challenging times.

Be well,

Dr. Daly

September 25, 2020 Update

 

Dear North Reading Parents and Families,

 

Thank you all for your support during our first full week of school and for your patience as we worked out some of the kinks to the schedules and adjusted between cohorts. From the feedback I have received things seem to be going very well.

A few items for your attention.

1. October 9, 2020 will be a full day of school. This was originally listed as a 1/2 day TBD and we have decided that with the later start to the year it is in the best interest of students and staff to have a full day on October 9th. Our full day Professional Development day for teachers on November 3rd will remain on the calendar as a no school day for students and we will continue to review the upcoming 1/2 days in the future.

2. Below you will find a list of additional school influenza clinics. Thank you to Mr. Bracey and our Town Health Department for making these arrangements. Please note that here are additional clinics listed for the community and parents can always make appointments at CVS, Walmart and Walgreens at any time by visiting their respective website to preregister.

October 21^st:

October 22^nd:  

October 23^rd:

 

3. Attached to this document are the most recent Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidance for protocols to respond to COVID-19 Scenarios. This was a part of the reopening plan but it is important for you to be able to review this again as it has been recently updated. Please continue to complete our Daily Health Screener and reach out to our nurses with any questions prior to returning to the bus or school.

The quick reference chart below should be helpful when deciding the steps that need to be taken when staff or students are experiencing symptoms. 

	Individual is Symptomic
	Location of Event	Testing Result	Quarantine
	If an individual is symptomatic at home, they should stay home and get tested.   If an individual student is symptomatic on the bus or at school, they should remain masked and adhere to strict physical distancing. Students will then be met by the nurse and stay in the medical waiting room until they can go home. They should not be sent home on the bus. If an individual staff member is symptomatic at school, they should find coverage for their duties and then go home and get tested.	Individual tests negative	Return to school once 24 hours have passed with no fever and improvement in symptoms, without the use of fever reducing medications.
		Individual tests positive	Remain home (except to get medical care), monitor symptoms, notify the school, notify personal close contacts, assist the school in contact tracing efforts, and answer the call from local board of health or MA Community Tracing Collaborative. Most people who have relatively mild illness will need to stay in self-isolation for at least 10 days and until at least 24 hours have passed with no fever and improvement in other symptoms.
		Individual is not tested	Remain home in self-isolation for 10 days from symptom onset, then return once 24 hours have passed with no fever and improvement in symptoms, without the use of fever reducing medications.
	Individual is exposed to COVID-19 positive individual (close contact)
	If an individual is at home when they learn they were in close contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19, they should stay at home and be tested 4 or 5 days after their last exposure.   If an individual is at school when they learn they were in close contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19, they should be masked for the remainder of the day (including K-1 students) and adhere to strict physical distancing. At the end of the day, they should go home and should not take the bus home. They should stay at home and be tested 4 or 5 days after their last exposure.	Individual tests negative	Remain home in self-quarantine for 14 days from exposure
		Individual tests positive	Remain home (except to get medical care), monitor symptoms, notify the school, notify personal close contacts, assist the school in contact tracing efforts, and answer the call from local board of health or MA Community Tracing Collaborative. Most people who have relatively mild illness will need to stay in self-isolation for at least 10 days and until at least 24 hours have passed with no fever and improvement in symptoms, without the use of fever reducing medications.
		Individual is not tested	Remain home in self-quarantine for 14 days from exposure

 

Thank you,

Dr. Daly

First Day of School

 Hello parents and families,

As we prepare for our first cohorts of students to arrive tomorrow I want to thank all of you again for working so hard to prepare for this moment. We are all so fortunate to work in a supportive school community and I have said several times that we're all rowing in the same direction. This has allowed us to make the best and safest decisions, to remain upbeat, and to be well prepared for welcoming our students back to school.

Tomorrow all students in cohorts B and C will be attending in person while A and D are in remote.

Michael, Cynthia, Gina and I, along with central office staff, and Mr. Buckley and Mr. McGowan, will be honorary bus monitors tomorrow morning (and Monday). We can't wait!

A few reminders and updates.

*Please continue to complete the daily health screener. This document has been an effective tool to help our nurses and administration communicate with those who have questions or concerns. This link can be accessed every day and should be submitted the morning of arrival (not the night before) for anyone reporting to campus or the bus each day. 

*Please stay home if you are unwell.

*Please continue to bring and wear your facemask. The more we wear our masks, maintain safe physical distancing, and wash our hands the safer we will all be.

*As you know all students will be required to have flu shots prior to December 31st. To assist with this process there will be clinics for students, parents, and staff on 10/6-10/8 from 12pm - 4pm at the fields near the Batchelder School provided by CVS Health in cooperation with the town of North Reading. More information will be coming soon on these clinics as well as others offered in North Reading.

*Important: Please take this important survey from the North Reading Recreation Department about a Remote Learning Assistance program that they are hoping to provide for interested families (as space allows). Please complete this program to indicate your interest in learning more about this opportunity.

Thank you for all that you do every day to support our students and schools! Have a great first day!

Patrick

September 11, Reopening Updates

 Hello parents and families,

I begin today by taking a moment to think of those we lost on September 11, 2001. The students entering our schools were almost all born after those tragic events took place but it is still so important that we teach them to never forget what happened that day. 

                                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------

This week concludes our first full week back with our staff who engaged in professional development and collaboration. It was a very successful week for learning, sharing, and growing as a community. Last evening our Teachers and School Committee passed a Memorandum of Understanding and our buildings and Educators are prepared to begin receiving students next week.

Your building Principals should have sent information to you about the visitation schedule for next week that is specific to your child's grade level and school. If you seek more information please contact your building Principal.

On Thursday, September 17, 2020 all students in cohorts B and C will return to school in-person while students in cohorts A and D will be remote.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

1. As we begin on campus next week for visitations and the first day of school all students and staff are expected to complete this electronic Daily Health Screener prior to arriving on campus (the morning of arrival and not the night before). This screener will serve as another tool in the self-reporting process and will provide our nurses, administration, and support staff the information we need to continue to keep our buildings safe.

2. If you are sick, please stay home! This is as important now as ever: please do not come to school for any reason if you are ill or have any symptoms. Everyone has the option to learn remotely and students will not fall behind if they take the time to stay home and get well.

3. All students and staff must wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth. We recommend the following, based upon CDC, DPH, and DESE Guidelines:

• *No one-way valves
• *Bandannas and neck gaiters are not allowed

Cloth masks should:

• *Cover your nose and mouth,
• *Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face,
• *Be secured with ties or ear loops,
• *Include multiple layers of fabric,
• *Allow for breathing without restriction, and
• *Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape.
• *According to recent studies, neck gaiters are not allowed 

4. The full school calendar is available here: https://www.north-reading.k12.ma.us/ and will allow you to view the days when the cohorts are attending. This will be particularly helpful to identify whether cohort A or B is scheduled for a Wednesday. Please note that while the calendar reflects specific release day Wednesdays for the entire district (prior to Thanksgiving, etc.) the elementary schools will have release days every Wednesday.

Finally, a huge thank you to our entire school community for all that you've done to help us remain safe and to prepare to open. The positivity rate in North Reading is trending in the right direction and we all need to continue to do our part to physically distance, wear masks, and be safe so that our community and schools will remain safe for our students and staff.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Dr. Daly

Welcome Back Letter

 Dear North Reading Public Schools Parents and Families,

I hope that this email finds you well as you enjoy these last days of summer. This weekend looks to be another beautiful one and I hope that you are able to enjoy it with your friends and family. Most of my time will be spent finishing a skateboard ramp with Will, my eight year old who’s heading into a new school for third grade this fall. His big brother, Jack, is heading into fifth grade and the youngest, Oliver, is starting Kindergarten. And with the proposed hybrid schedule for the year in our district  my wife, Marisa, is now a teaching assistant at home! 

Our staff is excited for the first day for students on September 17th. Our summer has flown by, marked by press conferences, DESE guidance, and a never ending series of meetings about reopening. I cannot thank our reopening committee enough for their work from June until mid-August when we submitted our plan. Comprised of dedicated parents, students, teachers, administrators, and representatives from town boards and stakeholders in the NRPS, this committee developed a solid plan for our district. And in the subsequent weeks we have met nearly every day with the NREA and other bargaining units to ensure that we have a safe and supportive plan for reopening this fall.

I especially want to thank my administrative leadership team who worked tirelessly throughout the summer. My Executive Assistant, Anne Lundell, and Administrative Assistant, Nicole Orlando, were there to keep me focused on the details. Our central office team and business office worked every day to make sure we were prepared for the fall. The phone calls and texts with our School Committee chair, Scott Buckley, and our NREA president, Peter Kane, were nearly daily occurrences and each conversation helped us to ensure we were all rowing in the same direction in order to do what was best for our students and staff.

The challenge now before us is to think about the ways in which we will be able to work in a hybrid fashion, and possibly, full in-person or full remote, depending on other metrics and factors as the year goes on. I have full confidence that our teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators will rise to this challenge and provide the very best for our students. The digital learning team is prepared to continue the support they’ve offered in the spring and we have invested in the technologies and tools that our educators have found the most valuable.

Our administrative assistants, technology staff, and facilities and food services teams have been focused on reopening. Under the leadership of Michael Connelly, we have invested grant funding and our FY21 budget to provide state-of-the-art HVAC upgrades, additional cleaning and custodial support, an additional nurse for the district, devices for all students in grades preK-12, building substitutes, technology support, and even some new positions to further our support of students and our commitment to expanding computer science and world languages.

Despite all of the challenges we are facing, the North Reading Public Schools continue to move forward. This summer we convened as a leadership team to discuss the “big rocks” of our strategic plan and our preliminary conversations have involved the importance of including “equity” as a multi-faceted area of focus for our district in addition to support services and teaching and learning.

Thank you to Sean Killeen, our newly appointed Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, Cynthia Conant, our Director of Student Services, and Daniel Downs, Director of Digital Learning, for their work in bringing together the great programs and opportunities for our students this year.

When students return they will need to be sure to maintain physical distancing and wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth. Please also see the attached resource for returning to school and have your child view this presentation from our school nurses prior to returning.

Students and staff will all be asked to complete a daily health screening electronic form. Many of you are accustomed to this process from camps this summer or other campus visits. The brief form will be completed each morning and will provide added accountability that our schools are safe and that those who could be experiencing any symptoms are staying home and/or in contact with our nursing staff. More details and a link to this tool will be forthcoming.

At one of our student forums a student suggested that I remind everyone to remember how important it is to physically distance and remain safe as we approach the first day of school. Anyone traveling to a state not on the Governor’s “low risk” list will need to consider additional steps before returning to school and should contact the building principal as soon as possible to discuss this process.

I know that this fall will be unlike any other we have ever experienced. There are challenges that await...but there are so many positives ahead. Never in the history of education have students been this excited to return to school, to see their friends and teachers, and to become engaged in learning. Let’s seize this energy and build upon it and continue the great work that we are all doing every day in the North Reading Public Schools.

Much more will be forthcoming from your schools prior to our first day and I look forward to seeing students in cohorts B and C on the 17th!

Be well,

Dr. Daly