December 23, 2021 Updates

 Dear North Reading Public Schools Community,

I hope that everyone has a wonderful and well-deserved holiday break!

As we head into the new year, a few reminders…

• With many people taking at home tests we anticipate many questions as we return to school. If you have any doubts about whether you are cleared to return or if you have any symptoms, please remain on home on January 3^rd and work with the school nurses to determine the best course of action.
• Everyone should continue to complete the Daily Health Screener each day.
• This year we have had hundreds of students remain in school because of the test and stay program. If you would like to participate in test and stay please be sure to complete the CIC Form.
• If you would like to participate in routine pooled testing and are not already enrolled, please complete both the CIC form and the NR form. Every submission prior to December 31^st will be included in the new year (You do not need to re-enroll if you are currently participating).

Data and Dashboard

For the month of December, through today, we have 93 students and 17 staff positive cases. Please review the dashboard for updates and additional information.

Our Nurses continue to do an unbelievable job at supporting our students and providing the test and stay option. Hundreds of students have been able to remain in school because of the test and stay procedures that we have in place this year.

As we gather and travel this holiday season it is important to be mindful of this important information while we find ways to safely share in the joys of the season with our family and friends.

Please stay safe and be well,

Dr. Daly

COVID-19 Updates 10.26.21

 Dear North Reading Public Schools Community,

I'm writing today to provide some important COVID-19 related updates.

Extension of the Mask Mandate

Earlier today  the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released a statement on the extension of the Mask Requirement which will continue through at least January 15, 2022. 

While I'm sure that the news of this extension will be welcome to some and frustrating to others, there are several points to consider that this extension will allow, including:

-- the opportunity for the younger students (ages 5-11) to receive the vaccine

--time for us to move beyond the holiday seasons and the associated travel/gatherings

As stated in the press release above, the masking requirement, along with the test and stay protocol, has allowed many more students to remain in school this year which is our ultimate goal.

There still exists the possibility for additional considerations for lifting the mask requirement prior to January 15th if we meet the 80% vaccination thresholds. As I have shared previously and at our recent North Reading School Committee we are not at this threshold in any of our buildings at this time but may be able to achieve this threshold for the middle/high school once our younger students are able to be vaccinated. For this calculation the middle/high school is considered one building.

Currently, our local data, which I have reviewed in collaboration with our Public Health Director and Town Officials, through October 22nd is as follows:

• Individuals aged 12-15 (68% fully vaccinated)
• Individuals aged 16-19 (77% full vaccinated)

As stated in the press release, "The Department, in collaboration with medical experts and state health officials, will continue to evaluate and consider other criteria that could be used in the future to lift the mask requirement based on public health data."

Optional Vaccination Clinics

We continue to offer opportunities for eligible students to be vaccinated with the next being on November 4, 2021 at the Batchelder School at 6pm- 7pm.  If you are interested in attending please use the link below to register for your appointment

https://www.appointmentquest.com/scheduler/2180061935?schedule=northreadingschools

• For anyone under the age of 18 a consent form signed by a parent/guardian must be presented in order to receive a vaccine
• Please plan on staying for 15 minutes after being vaccinated (30 minutes for anyone who has had a prior anaphylactic reaction to any medication)
• Vaccination is free for everyone regardless of insurance coverage
  • If you are insured please bring your insurance cards to the clinic
• We will be administering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine which is currently approved for ages 12 and up and are taking future appointments for children ages 5-11 based on the anticipated CDC/FDA approval at the time of our clinics
  • This is a 2 dose series given 3 weeks apart
  • A link for registration for 2^nd doses will be provided after the 1^st dose clinics have been completed
• Booster shots will also be available based on the guidelines below. We will have the Pfizer vaccine available for boosters for anyone who has completed a primary vaccine series meeting the below requirements
  • A single booster dose of COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered at least 6 months after completion of the primary series of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine to individuals:
    • 65 years of age and older
    • 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19
    • 18 through 64 years of age with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2
  • A single booster dose of COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered at least 2 months after completion of the single-dose primary Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine regimen to individuals 18 years of age and older.
  • Each of the available COVID-19 vaccines as a heterologous (or “mix and match”) booster dose in eligible individuals following completion of primary vaccination with a different available COVID-19 vaccine.

Pooled Testing

Our routine COVID pooled testing process is underway at all five schools. Though highly complicated, the process is working and our nurses are doing a fantastic job working with our students, families, and staff.

During the month of October there have been a total of nine individuals who have tested positive for a total of 33 since the school year began. Locally our numbers are trending in the right direction. Due to our continued precautions there continues to be no indication that there has been any in-school transmission. Please visit our District Website to view our dashboard for more COVID-19 related data and information

Thank you and be well,

Dr. Daly

Welcome Back Message from Superintendent Daly

 Welcome Back Message from Superintendent Daly

After a well-deserved summer break we are excited to welcome our students and staff back to the North Reading Public Schools. As always, we are committed to the pursuit of excellence for all of our students and look forward to exploring the most innovative and exciting pathways for student learning.

This year there will be some slight changes at all of our schools as well as continued adjustments to our procedures due to COVID-19. 

Busing, Drop-off, and Pick Up

Schedule adjustments at all five schools have allowed us to create two tiers of start and end times, one for elementary and one for secondary. This has allowed us to implement later start times for middle and high school students and a uniform schedule for elementary students and staff at all three schools.

As we do at the beginning of every year we ask for your patience as our bus drivers adjust to the new routes. In addition, we have introduced new drop-off and pick-up traffic patterns at the middle/high school campus that will address some long standing safety concerns and provide additional options for quick-drop off in the lower lot as well as an extended loop in front of the middle/high school.

It is extremely important that everyone follow the procedures as designed and, again, we appreciate your patience as we implement these changes. We will make adjustments, if necessary, once we have observed the process over the first few weeks of school.

COVID-19 Protocols

As everyone is now aware, due to recent requirements, all students and staff in our schools, K-12, will be wearing facial coverings until at least October 1, 2021. As that date approaches we will be communicating more about any changes that would be forthcoming. We are also aware of concerns surrounding the metrics used to make those decisions and we will be following this information very closely in order to make the best recommendations to our school committee.

We will resume using the daily health screener for everyone and ask that this be completed before you arrive on the bus or on campus each day. We will also continue to provide updates on positive cases in our schools through our data dashboard as well as through email updates. In addition, we will continue to offer optional free COVID-19 vaccination clinics for any students twelve and older at the Batchelder School. The next clinic is September 15, 2021 from 6pm to 7pm. Click here to register.

COVID-19 Testing

If you have not had the chance to review the video and slides that were sent last week please take a moment to do so. I would like to clarify that all testing is optional (symptomatic, test and stay, and routine COVID safety checks) but we are asking that everyone complete both the CIC consent form and our NR form in order to either opt-in or opt-out of testing.

I would also like to clarify that the “test and stay” option is only available to those close contacts who are identified at school. If someone is identified as a close contact at home they would not be eligible for this option and would follow the quarantine procedure as communicated by the public health nurse. 

We are very pleased that in many ways we will be returning to a typical school year with students present in school five days each week and all athletic and extracurricular programs operating as they would in a typical year, with a few additional COVID-19 requirements in place for safety. Our teachers, administrators, and staff have worked hard all summer to prepare our classrooms and we are so excited to see our students on September 8th.

Thank you,

Dr. Daly

Back to School Updates 9.2.21

 Dear North Reading Public Schools Community,

As we prepare for our first day of school on September 8, 2021 I have prepared the following video that outlines some of the safety measures in place including the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requirements related to masking and important information about the COVID-19 testing options available for students. New this year is the “test and stay” option which is designed to allow close contacts who test negative to remain in school when identified as a close contact.

COVID-19 Testing Options 

STEP 1: Please be sure to watch this video and review the slides prior to completing the forms 

               below.

STEP 2: Please complete this required consent form through our provider, CIC Health. (Note:  

              This form is to be completed for each individual and student and you would provide  

              consent for all three modes of testing at once (symptomatic, test and stay, and routine 

              safety checks).

• Central Office and District staff should choose High School when registering on this form 

STEP 3: Please complete our North Reading form which will help our nurses confirm which 

students and staff we should be contacting for Routine COVID safety checks (pooled 

testing), test and stay, and symptomatic testing.

• This form allows you to specify if you have preferences among the three types of testing and our school nurses will follow up with you for clarification

• For example, if you want your child to have access to “test and stay” but do not want to participate in routine testing you may indicate that on this form

Vaccination Clinics (optional)

If you are interested in the next optional vaccine clinic at the L.D. Batchelder School on September 15, 2021 at 6pm - 7pm please use the link below and complete the registration form.

https://www.appointmentquest.com/scheduler/2180061935?schedule=northreadingschools

Please resume completing our Daily Health Screener prior to your arrival on campus or on the bus each day and continue to practice good hygene, hand washing, and maintain as much distance as feasible between individuals.

Thank you and have a wonderful weekend. We will see everone on Wednesday, September 8, 2021!

Dr. Daly

Facial Coverings Update August 25, 2021

 Dear North Reading Public Schools Community,

With many of our fall activities now underway we are able to look forward to our first day of school for students on September 8, 2021. The great news is that our students will all be back in school for five days per week and participating in all of the academic, athletic, and extra-curricular activities as they would in a typical year. However, due to our continued response to COVID-19, there will be some modifications to our operations as we begin this fall.

As a follow up to my recent correspondence I am writing today to share that the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted on Tuesday to mandate facial coverings for all students and staff, effective today, through at least October 1, 2021. Please review the attached document for the full details about this requirement, which include the following:

• Effective immediately, public school students (age 5 and above) and staff in all grades are required to wear masks indoors in schools, and when on school buses and vans.
  
• It is strongly recommended that students younger than age 5 also wear a mask in school.
  
• Students and staff who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons, and students who cannot wear a mask for behavioral reasons, are exempted from the requirement. (Please contact your building Principal if these medical or behavioral exceptions are applicable for your child.)
  
• Masks are not required when outdoors.
  
• All visitors are also expected to wear a mask in school buildings. 
  
• Masks should cover an individual’s nose and mouth. For more information about appropriate mask use, please see: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/downloads/cloth-face-covering.pdf
  

As the document states, the mask requirement will be in place until at least October 1, 2021. The Commissioner will revisit the requirement in the near future to revise it as warranted by public health data. 

We are aware of concerns related to these October 1st metrics and procedures and we will continue to monitor these decisions as that date approaches. In addition, we recognize that there are many opinions on this topic and we have valued hearing from so many members of our school community through our public forums and via phone and email. We ask for your continued cooperation in implementing these additional requirements as we all work together to keep our students safe and in school as much as possible this fall.

Thank you and be well,

Dr. Daly

COVID-19 Update August 20, 2021

 Dear North Reading Public Schools Community,

I'm writing today to share two important announcements.

1. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced today that they will be meeting on Tuesday in order to pass a K-12 Mask mandate for all students and staff K-12 while indoors. (see attached press release and FAQs)

From the correspondence we have received we know that there will be mixed feelings in our school community about this mandate but the Commissioner believes that the current data requires such a decision and it will be revisited on October 1st. The feedback we have received from our parents, students, guardians, caregivers, educators, and staff on all sides of this issue have been heard and will be very helpful as we continue to naviagte through this pandemic moving forward.

For our indoor programs beginning Monday, August 23, 2021 the coordinators and coaches will be contacting participants to provide more details and I will certainly provide more information from DESE/DPH to everyone as soon as it becomes available.

AND

2. As a joint announcement from the North Reading Health and School department we will be hosting an optional COVID 19 vaccine clinic on Wednesday August 25, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 7:00pm  at the Batchelder School. As an added incentive, any school age child who gets a COVID-19 vaccination will receive a gift card from either:
 
1.       Papa Gino’s
2.       Dunkin
3.       McDonalds
4.       Wendy’s
5.       Stop & Shop.
 
Mrs. Hovey, Health Department Public Health Nurse, will be at the clinic and will be in charge of distributing the gift cards and community educational information on the COVID 19 vaccination.

We will be working with VaxinateRx and Healthcare Family Pharmacy to host a COVID vaccine clinic on Wednesday August 25th from 5pm to 7pm at the Batchelder School . Please register for yourself or your child to receive the vaccine at:
 
https://www.appointmentquest.com/scheduler/2180061935?schedule=northreadingschools
 
• After registering you will receive an email with a link to the consent form for vaccination (check your spam folder if you do not receive it).
• Please fill out and print the consent form (attached) to bring to the appointment
• For anyone under the age of 18 a consent form signed by a parent/guardian must be presented in order to receive a vaccine
• Parent/guardian does not need to be present as long as the child has a signed consent form
• Please plan on staying for 15 minutes after being vaccinated (30 minutes for anyone who has had a prior anaphylactic reaction to any medication)
• Vaccination is free for everyone regardless of insurance coverage
• We will be administering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine which is currently approved for ages 12 and up.
• We will return in 3 weeks to administer the second dose on Wednesday 9/15
• A link will be sent to register for these clinics after the first dose clinics have been completed

Thank you,

Dr. Daly

File attachments:
Covid Vaccine Consent Form fillable.pdf
faq-installment fall_8 20 21 FINAL_clean 1207pm.pdf
BESE memo 8.20.2021 final 1136am.pdf

NRPS Masking Strong Recommendations

Good afternoon,

As we begin our first fall events tomorrow with Football and with all sports, the Acceleration Academy, and events such as orientations and walk-abouts set to begin next week, it is important to clarify and communicate what our “strong recommendation” for masking looks like at this time.

While the School Committee’s vote on Monday evening stopped short of requiring/mandating masks it is important to understand that even the DESE/DPH guidance we are following appears to be pivoting to a stronger requirement for the unvaccinated and Governor Baker is stating that most schools are requiring masks for the unvaccinated. At this time we are providing the following recommendations:

All students in grades PreK-6 are strongly recommended to wear a mask. In addition, Teachers, Administrators, and Staff who are working with students in those grades are also strongly recommended to wear a mask when working closely with unvaccinated students.

Students and staff in all other grades, including the fully vaccinated, given the recent number of breakthrough cases in our community (fully vaccinated individuals who have tested positive) should strongly consider wearing a mask, especially if we continue to see the number of positive cases rise. Students and staff will need a mask to wear when on buses and for the nurse’s office and should also consider wearing masks in common areas such as hallways and when entering and exiting the building when they are in close proximity to many other individuals.

As school begins, if we see the number of positive cases rising or instances of in school transmission, we will continually revisit our recommendations.

I know that I will resume wearing a mask, especially in the presence of unvaccinated students and staff, as students arrive next week and encourage other fully vaccinated students and staff to consider doing so in order to ensure the safety of those who have not had the opportunity to be vaccinated. 

We also strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated to do so, including our next vaccination opportunity at the Batchelder School on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 from 5pm-7pm. This is a community event that we will be further advertising and students and eligible community members can come to receive the free vaccination for COVID-19.

Our number 1 goal is student safety. Our 1A goal (very close behind) is keeping all students in school. The following procedures will be in place beginning tomorrow, August 20,2021 in order to ensure that students will be able to remain in school safely as much as possible.

• Beginning tomorrow, August 20, 2021, all students on buses or school transportation will be required to wear a mask (per federal mandate). Masks will also be required in the nurse’s office at all times (per federal mandate)

• All visitors will be required to wear a mask when indoors at all times. This includes spectators at indoor events, etc.

• Principals will continue to limit in person visitors to the schools. This is to ensure that students and staff have the safest environment for learning. More information will be forthcoming from individual schools.

• The Cape Ann League has decided that student athletes will follow the masking requirements of the home district. This would mean that students participating in an indoor sport (example: Volleyball) would mask when playing in a district where there is a mask requirement.

The decision to wear a mask will certainly impact others in the school community. Please consider the following:

• If students are three feet apart and both are wearing a mask, and a positive individual is identified, then any asymptomatic students or staff do not need to be considered close contacts (and would be able to remain in school).

• Through continued conversations with our Public Health Nurse and Director of Public Health there is clear support for indoor masking as a mitigation strategy and vaccinations for everyone who is eligible.

• Our local numbers indicate that in recent weeks eight (8) unvaccinated children under 11 in North Reading and seven (7) students in the 16-19 range (2 unvaccinated and 5 vaccinated) have tested positive

• I am aware of three staff members (all vaccinated) who have recently tested positive. Though the symptoms have been reported as mild, this is still important information to consider with these “breakthrough” cases.

Throughout this pandemic we have followed the Department of Public Health and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidelines and that has allowed our students to be safe and to be in school as much as possible. The School Committee voted on Monday to continue to follow the DPH/DESE guidance. The strong recommendations included here continue to promote our overall commitment to the safety and staff of our students while still allowing parents to make the best decisions for their children with consideration for the impact of those decisions on our student body as a whole. 

Thank you and be well,

Dr. Daly