January 19, 2022 Update

 Dear North Reading Public Schools Community,

I’m writing today to provide a few updates related to COVID-19 and our schools.

COVID-19 Testing Updates

Yesterday, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announced a new testing program that would allow districts to provide weekly at-home testing kits to those staff and students who opt into this program. Districts who participate would also continue symptomatic and/or pooled testing (we would plan to continue with both options) and would no longer contact trace or provide test and stay testing options (as the at-home tests would serve this purpose).

There are many reasons for these changes, including the recent uptick in cases across the state and the need for all nurses to focus on providing support to those who are positive and the availability of at-home tests for everyone who desires to participate. The district will certainly be exploring this option that would begin later this month. I will share more information on this process as it becomes available.

Mask Requirements

I have received a few messages this week from parents who are concerned about the extension of the DESE Mask Mandate that I communicated in my message last week that now continues through February 28, 2022. As I expressed to those concerned parents I do not believe that this mandate will continue indefinitely but I with the recent high number of positive cases I do understand why DESE needed to continue this extension.

I certainly recognize and appreciate the concerns that have been shared with our School Committee about mask wearing for our students and we do hope that it will be safe enough to allow mask wearing to be a choice when the data are reviewed in late February.

As a reminder, this mask requirement from DESE is not optional for districts to implement. There is currently the ability to apply for a waiver based upon a vaccination threshold of 80% for a school building. Currently none of our buildings meet that 80% threshold for staff and students.

In addition, I would also like to share the updates from the Centers for Disease Control that now includes recommendations for well-fitting masks, including KN95 and N95 masks. There are no longer supply shortages and there are reports that the federal government will be providing free distribution of these masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, specifically recognizing the recommended changes in light of the omicron variant.

From CDC:

“Masking is a critical public health tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and it is important to remember that any mask is better than no mask. To protect yourself and others from COVID-19, CDC continues to recommend that you wear the most protective mask you can that fits well and that you will wear consistently.”

COVID-19 Cases

For cases reported in the month of January, which includes those positive cases from December 23, 2021 through January 19, 2022, we have a total of 431 cases, including 361 students and 70 staff positive cases.

Please review the dashboard for school-based updates and additional information.

Due to the high number of positive cases and the evolving guidance for isolation and quarantine our nurses are focusing their attention on providing support to the positive students and staff and those close contacts who need to quarantine or participate in test and stay (those who are fully vaccinated or who are at least three feet apart and masked do not need to quarantine or participate in test and stay).

All other individuals should follow the same recommendations as if they were close contacts. This means:

If you or your child is exhibiting ONE of the following symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19:

·       *Fever (100.0 Fahrenheit or higher), chills or shaking chills*

·       *Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath*

·       *New loss of taste or smell*

·       *Muscle aches or body aches*

Or TWO or more of the following symptoms:

·       *Cough (not due not other known cause, such as chronic cough)

·       *Sore throat, when in combination with other symptoms

·      *Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when in combination with other symptoms

·      *Headache when in combination with other symptoms

·       *Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms

·       *Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms

Please see the school nurse, a medical professional, or consider taking a COVID-19 PCR or COVID-19 rapid antigen test.

Thank you,

​Dr. Daly

January 10, 2022 Update

 Dear North Reading Public Schools Community,

Tomorrow looks to be very cold so please take all necessary precautions and continue bundling up and staying warm!

COVID-19 Updates

Earlier today the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) extended the mask mandate for schools through February 28, 2022. More information on this update can be found here: https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop/2022-0110mask-requirement-extension.pdf

DESE also released updated FAQs related to COVID-19 that have been attached to this message. The North Reading Public Schools continue to provide as much distance as feasible during snack and lunch in order to prevent transmission. We continue to offer thorough cleanings of all buildings and 

For cases reported in the month of January, which includes those positive cases from December 23, 2021 through January 5, 2022, we have a total of 315 cases, including 261 students and 54 staff positive cases.

Please review the dashboard for school-based updates and additional information.

Due to the high number of positive cases and the evolving guidance for isolation and quarantine our nurses are focusing their attention on providing support to the positive students and staff and those close contacts who need to quarantine or participate in test and stay (those who are fully vaccinated or who are at least three feet apart and masked do not need to quarantine or participate in test and stay).

All other individuals should follow the same recommendations as if they were close contacts. This means:

If you or your child is exhibiting ONE of the following symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19:

·       *Fever (100.0 Fahrenheit or higher), chills or shaking chills*

·       *Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath*

·       *New loss of taste or smell*

·       *Muscle aches or body aches*

Or TWO or more of the following symptoms:

·       *Cough (not due not other known cause, such as chronic cough)

·       *Sore throat, when in combination with other symptoms

·      *Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when in combination with other symptoms

·      *Headache when in combination with other symptoms

·       *Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms

·       *Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms

Please see the school nurse, a medical professional, or consider taking a COVID-19 PCR or COVID-19 rapid antigen test.

Thank you, stay warm, and be well.

​Dr. Daly

January 5, 2022 Update

Dear North Reading Public Schools Community,

I'm writing today to provide some important updates on our COVID-19 cases and our schools.

Our first priority is keeping our students and staff safe and in person for school. Our educators and administrators have worked so hard to maintain class coverage this week even as our positive cases increase. Despite the rising numbers we have been able to remain open and if there is a need to close a school this will be made on a school-by-school basis if there are not enough staff members to open a building safely.

These next few weeks will be challenging but we are confident that we will be able to work together to meet these challenges as a school community.

Thank you to our school nurses who have been working with so many individuals each day and providing support, information, and answers to questions as each new scenario unfolds.

Data and Dashboard

For cases reported in the month of January, which includes those positive cases from December 23, 2021 through January 5, 2022, we have a total of 186 cases, including 151 students and 35 staff positive cases.

Please review the dashboard for specific updates and additional information.

Due to the high number of positive cases and the evolving guidance for isolation and quarantine our nurses are focusing their attention on providing support to the positive students and staff and those close contacts who need to quarantine or participate in test and stay (those who are fully vaccinated or who are at least three feet apart and masked do not need to quarantine or participate in test and stay).

All other individuals should follow the same recommendations as if they were close contacts. This means:

If you or your child is exhibiting ONE of the following symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19:

·       *Fever (100.0 Fahrenheit or higher), chills or shaking chills*

·       *Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath*

·       *New loss of taste or smell*

·       *Muscle aches or body aches*

Or TWO or more of the following symptoms:

·       *Cough (not due not other known cause, such as chronic cough)

·       *Sore throat, when in combination with other symptoms

·      *Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when in combination with other symptoms

·      *Headache when in combination with other symptoms

·       *Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms

·       *Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms

Please see the school nurse, a medical professional, or consider taking a COVID-19 PCR or COVID-19 rapid antigen test.

In the coming days we anticipate additional FAQs from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education who will be responding to the updates and guidance from the CDC. I will share that information as it becomes available.

Please stay safe and be well,

Dr. Daly

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