Dear North Reading Public Schools Community,

As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday I want to take a moment to thank all parents, staff, and students for their tremendous efforts this year. I hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving break.

When we resume school on November 30th we will continue with the same hybrid schedule we have been following since September. Beginning that week there will be three full weeks of school following that schedule (elementary schools will still have the 1/2 day Wednesday schedule). The week of December 21-23 has been modified as per my previous announcement and reminders will be sent leading into that week as well.

Also, there have been many questions related to travel and quarantine.

As a district we are following the Massachusetts Travel Order for all staff and students and applying the requirements to be tested or to quarantine to everyone in the district.

More information can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order

Currently, only Massachusetts, Vermont, and Hawaii are considered low risk states according to the Massachusetts Travel Order. Any travel to any other states would necessitate adherence to the travel order which includes the following:

• A negative result on a PCR test (must be a PCR test) prior to returning to campus.
• Quarantining until those results are available.
  • Students who must quarantine may attend school remotely
  • Staff may be able to work remotely until the test results are available and should speak with their building principal or director.
• You can also call 2-1-1 for additional information about the Travel Order.
  

In general it is advisable to follow the best advice around travel and gatherings this year. Massachusetts has issued recommendations for holiday gatherings this year that can be found here: mass.gov/news/thanksgiving-during-covid-19 and here are some CDC recommendations for Thanksgiving.

As you have read in recent correspondence we are seeing more staff and students who have tested positive for COVID-19. As you make decisions related to travel and gatherings around the holidays this year please consider not only what is best for you and your family this year but what is best for everyone in our school community. 

The school days when we return from the holidays will be critically important for us to contain the risks of transmission in school. It is essential that all students and staff:

• Complete the Daily Health Screener
  
• Stay home when sick (or have been with someone showing symptoms)
  
• Follow all quarantines and testing requirements related to travel
  
• Follow all guidance around masks, handwashing, and physical distancing 
  

We are all in this together and the safer each person is the better our school environment will be for everyone.

Thank you and have a wonderful Thanksgiving,

Be well,

Dr. Daly

Dear North Reading Public Schools Community,

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday there have been many questions related to travel and quarantine. 

As a district we are following the Massachusetts Travel Order for all staff and students and applying the requirements to be tested or to quarantine to everyone in the district.

More information can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order

Currently, only Massachusetts, Vermont, and Hawaii are considered low risk states according to the Massachusetts Travel Order. Any travel to other states would necessitate adherence to the travel order which includes the following:

• A negative result on a PCR test (must be a PCR test) prior to returning to campus.

• Quarantining until those results are available.

o Students who must quarantine may attend school remotely

o Staff may be able to work remotely until the test results are available and should speak with their building principal or director.

In general it is advisable to follow the best advice around travel and gatherings this year. Massachusetts has issued recommendations for holiday gatherings this year that can be found here: mass.gov/news/thanksgiving-during-covid-19

As you have read in recent correspondence we are seeing more staff and students who have tested positive for COVID-19. As you make decisions related to travel and the holidays this year please consider not only what is best for you and your family this year but what is best for everyone in our school community. 

I am reminded of the motto made famous by Alexandre Dumas, “one for all, and all for one.”  We are all in this together and the safer each person is the better our school environment will be for everyone.

Thank you and have a wonderful Thanksgiving,

Dr. Daly

 

 Dear North Reading Public Schools Community,

Thank you to those who attended and contributed to the parent forum last evening. If you would like to view/review the recording please visit here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIhe_nUu2R0

If you would like to provide your input into the proposed calendar recommendations for December please take this survey as soon as possible but no later than Thursday at 5pm: https://forms.gle/Y38F5pyEzLzWFBPH8. Please be sure to review last evening's presentation prior to taking the survey. The December calendar discussion begins at 53:48.

I have also included the links to two documents that I mentioned last evening: the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents position statement as well as information about the state public health requirement for the influenza vaccine by December 31, 2020.

Thank you,

Dr. Daly

 

Parent Forum November 17th 7pm

 

Remote Learning Assistance Update

 Hello parents, guardians, and families,

Beginning on Monday, November 2nd there will be availability for elementary students from each of our schools to participate in a remote learning assistance program through the YMCA. At this time, in order to create three distinct programs for each school, the locations will vary depending upon your child's school and the cost will be $50 per day for this program.

To begin we will have availability for one program for each cohort at each elementary school (13 students per cohort) so please indicate your interest in participating as soon as possible by contacting MaryAnn Hanafin via email at mhanafin@ymcaboston.org . MaryAnn will also be able to answer any questions about the program and also provide sign-up forms and information.

​If there is additional interest at other levels and/or beyond these opportunities we will continue to explore the possibilities of expansion.

Thank you to the YMCA for their continued partnership with our district to make such opportunities available for our students and families.

Sincerely yours,

Dr. Daly

Influenza Clinics and Prescription Drug and Vape Take Back

 

Influenza Clinics at North Reading Public Schools Locations

There is still space available for parents, families, and students who are learning from home on the following dates this week! Please use the following links by clicking on a date below and register soon as the slots will fill up quickly:

October 21^st:

October 22^nd:  

October 23^rd:

 

 

North Reading Police are Taking Back Unwanted Prescription Drugs and Vapes on October 24th

On Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the North Reading Police Department, North Youth

Substance Use Prevention Coalition, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will provide the

public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous

expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your pills for disposal to the O’Leary Senior

Center at 157 Park Street. Sites cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps, only pills or patches.

Unwanted vape devices (with removed ion batteries) and vape cartages will also be accepted. The

service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.