Dear North Reading Public Schools Community,

Thank you for all of your support to make our hybrid model the best it can possibly be for our students. As we look ahead to the New Year, please continue to guide our students to make the best choices for New Year’s celebrations with respect to gatherings and events. Taking a careful approach is our best avenue for continued success and remaining open.

COVID-19 Updates

Please note that while school is in session we are continuing to share the student and staff positive cases as they are reported. However, as we are closed this week, I will be compiling the figures received over the break and communicate them upon our return. To date there have only been a handful of unrelated cases reported and there has not been a need for contact tracing or additional quarantines since we have not been in school since December 18^th.

It is important to note that we are still not seeing concerning evidence of transmission within the schools.

Most transmission continues to occur at home or in other situations where individuals are inside and without masks and unaware that one person who is a close contact has been exposed to COVID-19. Please continue to wear masks, physically distance, and wash hands frequently in order to control transmission.

Returning to School on January 4th

As you may be aware, many schools and districts are remaining in full remote in the days after the winter break. Many of these districts are seeing evidence of transmission in school or are seeing numbers that do not allow for enough adults to be present to safely reopen school. I have checked in with our Principals and we do not believe that this is a concern at this time and we hope that our staff remains healthy and safe in the coming weeks.

When we return, please continue to use our Daily Health Screener and also comply with all associated aspects of the Massachusetts Travel Order. It is critical that anyone who feels ill stays home and anyone who has traveled stays home until the quarantine/testing travel guidance is met. Our principals and nurses will be able to assist with any questions.

At this time we are closely monitoring the numbers for the Town of North Reading and the rate of transmission in our schools. As I have stated previously, even as the Town remains in “red” and as the rate of transmission is low, our schools will remain open as they continue to be safe places for our staff and students. This fact was confirmed again this week in our weekly meeting with the Town Public Health Nurse, Director of Public Heath, Town Administrator, and Police and Fire Chiefs.

Student Learning Time

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released today a dashboard for student learning time.  The data reported reflects the efforts of our teachers, students, families, and administrators to provide the best in person and remote learning opportunities possible for our students in our current hybrid model.

Once again, thank you all for your incredible support this year and have a wonderful and safe New Year’s celebration as we welcome 2021!

Be well,

Dr. Daly