Dear Parents, Families, and Caregivers,

Thank you for all of your support to make our hybrid model the best it can possibly be for our students. I wish you all the Happiest of Holiday Seasons. I hope that you are all able to relax and enjoy the time with your family.

I wanted to provide a few updates as we head into the winter break.

COVID-19 Updates

Please note that we are continuing to share the student and staff positive cases as they are reported. As there is an increase in the number of individuals in North Reading who are testing positive it follows that there is an increase in the number of staff and students who also test positive.

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

So, for example, when my report indicates that there are four new cases at one school that does not necessarily mean that these students have passed it to one another at school.

We are still seeing most transmission occurring at the 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.

Quarantine and Contact Tracing

It is as important now as ever to follow the instructions of the public health nurse and/or school nurses who have informed close contacts of the need to quarantine. Each person doing his or her part is the best way for us to move beyond these challenging weeks and to keep our schools open and our activities running.

Whenever the district or town learns of a positive case we begin the process for contact tracing. We follow Department of Public Health and CDC guidelines for contact tracing and go back two days from the date of the test (not the date results are received) or two days from the onset of symptoms. We then decide which other staff and students are close contacts and follow up with those individuals and families to provide the details of the quarantine period.

A large part of the reason why our schools were in remote this week was to allow for more time between the holiday breaks and the last time students and staff were together in person. This decision has helped us to lessen the need for contact tracing over the holidays and through the winter break.

When we return, please continue to use our Daily Health Screener and also comply with all associated aspects of the Massachusetts Travel Order.

Influenza Vaccine

Thank you to everyone who has complied with the Massachusetts requirement for students to receive the influenza vaccine. Your actions have made our students and schools safer this fall and allowed our nurses to focus on the needs related to COVID-19.

For those who are still in need of receiving the vaccine (or if you are seeking a religious or medical exemption) please contact your school nurse. The deadline for compliance has now been extended by Massachusetts until February 28, 2021. We ask that you continue to comply as soon as possible so that we are able to assure that your records are updated in our system.

All students will be able to return to our hybrid model on January 4^th. Those who are still in need of the influenza vaccine should take the steps to be vaccinated (or for the exemptions) as soon as possible.

Returning to School in January

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 faced many issues with staff and students following the Thanksgiving holiday.

It is critically important that our entire school community limits travel and gatherings during this winter break in order to ensure a safe return in January.

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 if the Town remains in “red” and 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 yesterday in our weekly meeting with the town public health nurse, town administrator, and police and fire chief.

Another reason that could impact our ability to reopen would be not having enough staff to open a building safely. We are hoping that this will not be a concern and that our staff remains healthy and safe in the coming weeks.

If anything changes with respect to our return to the hybrid model on January 4^th I will be sure to communicate this information in as timely a manner as possible.

Once again, thank you all for your incredible support this year and have a wonderful holiday season!

Be well,

Dr. Daly