Scarborough Public Schools
Weekly Newsletter - December 18, 2020
A Message From the Superintendent
Dear Friends,
As we come to the end of the year 2020, I would like to share my gratitude and thankfulness for everyone’s contributions on behalf of our first-rate students.
Thank you as a school community that has supported our children. We are so ever fortunate for how you have tackled situations this year given these unprecedented times. I also like to thank the Board of Education, administrators, teachers and support staff for their leadership and support that has been provided throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Their energy and spirit has kept us moving forward and hopeful which is much appreciated.
I am so ever grateful to all our community and employees who pulled together to help our students and families, and each other. I am thankful for your openness to change and ability to adapt to change direction at almost a moment’s notice when circumstance necessitates us to do so.
As the new year approaches I hope it gets filled with promises of a brighter tomorrow.
Wishing you joy,
Sanford Prince IV
Important SPS COVID-19 Notifications
After much discussion and careful consideration, the Leadership Council decided that both January 4 and January 5, 2021 will be remote learning days for all SPS students. The rationale behind this proposal was primarily based on the large increase of positive cases that happened upon the return from the Thanksgiving break. Having the first two days after the holiday break as “remote learning days” allows the opportunity to ensure that school nurses and building administrators will be able to field staff/family questions regarding exposure they may have had during the break and how this affects their ability to be present in person for school or work.
Other reasons for the recommendation include:
Proactively addresses student and staff safety
Avoids unnecessary anxiety among staff, students and families about the return date
Allows time for families and staff to notify schools if they were close contacts (over the holiday break) and/or have contracted the COVID-19 virus
Lessens staff and students of potential exposure of quarantining multiple staff and students
Allows adequate time for families to plan accordingly for the two days in a proactive way
The other notable change to the calendar was the Board approved continuation of the ½ remote learning days for students (AM) and the ½ professional development time (PM) for staff on Wednesdays throughout the remainder of the school year (if necessary), while we continue to have to work in the hybrid model due to safety requirements.
In related news, on December 18, Maine school departments were notified that Cumberland County has experienced an increase in both the new COVID-19 positive case rate per 10,000 people. As a county we are no longer in the green category (relatively low risk of COVID-19 spread), but are now in the yellow category which suggests that our county has an elevated risk of COVID-19. This also means that all "in-person" athletics and student activities (afterschool programs) are currently postponed, starting today. Club Advisors and Coaches can stay connected to students remotely. Most coaches and club advisors have set up google classroom. Students should wait to hear from their Coach and/or Club Advisor about virtual meetings.
As a reminder, color category data are publicly posted on the Maine CDC website. The next assessment for color coding will take place on December 31. We appreciate everyone's efforts to be diligent in reinforcing a culture of compliance among our students and families. Taking the necessary precautions to protect the health and safety of our school community is our top priority.
From the School Board: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Steering Committee Members Sought
Dear Scarborough, Staff, Students, Families and Community Members,
On November 19, 2020, the Scarborough Board of Education voted to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Mid Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC) to begin the process of conducting an evaluation of diversity, equity and inclusion in the school district. MAEC was founded in 1992 and is primarily funded by the Department of Education. Although the work being included in the MOU comes at no cost to the district, there may be additional costs in the future, depending on the work that needs to be done. You can learn more about this non-profit organization on their website.
As a first step in undertaking this important work, the Board is looking to form a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Steering Committee to work with MAEC. The charge of this committee will include: responsibility for reviewing the data collected from climate surveys and school equity audits, making recommendations to the board regarding the appropriate next steps for our District, and monitoring action plan progress over time. Additional information regarding the surveys will be coming from district leadership within the next few weeks.
In order to achieve the best results, we anticipate the work of this committee will be ongoing and long term. Our request is that you commit to one year of service on the committee to begin with and reevaluate your position after that time.
If you are interested in serving on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Steering Committee, please complete this questionnaire. Questionnaires need to be completed by January 15th, 2021 for consideration. The committee will be selected by the Board of Education in an executive session on January 21st, 2021. Our goal is to form a diverse committee to ensure a variety of perspectives as this work gets underway. It is our sincere hope that all members of the Scarborough Community feel connected to this work and know that their opinions are valued.
Please email the board with any questions that you may have. boe@scarboroughschools.org
Sincerely,
Scarborough Board of Education
From Health Services
We can’t thank our families enough for being so diligent about performing health screenings before sending your children to school and erring on the side of caution when choosing to keep them home. As you know, we have seen a steep increase of positive covid cases within our state and community this month.
We would like to add an extra layer of protection by recommending to district families that if someone in your household is ill and being tested for COVID, please keep your students home until the test result is confirmed. Data supports that transmission amongst household contacts is quite high. We know and very much appreciate that many have been following this recommendation already and we continue to be so thankful for all that you are doing to help keep our schools open.
Just a reminder, those traveling over holiday break will need to send copies of their COVID test results to their school nurses prior to returning to school in the new year.
Thank you!
If you have additional health-related questions or concerns, please reach out to your school nurse:
Eight Corners: Rebecca Cummings, RN - 730-5227 rcummings@scarboroughschools.org
Pleasant Hill: Dorice Groshon, RN - 730-5286 dgroshon@scarboroughschools.org
Wentworth: Cindy Fasulo, LPN and Anne Ornstein, RN - 730-4610 or 730-4611
cfasulo@scarboroughschools.org or aornstein@scarboroughschools.org
Middle School: Patty Bolduc, RN and Amanda Eason, RN - 730-4810 or 730-4811 pbolduc@scarboroughschools.org or aeason@scarboroughschools.org
High School: Heidi Igneri, RN and Lisa Verzoni, RN - 730-5015
higneri@scarboroughschools.org or lverzoni@scarboroughschools.org
K-12 Health Support Staff: Suzanne Kenney - 730-4842 skenney@scarboroughschools.org
As new information continues to evolve regarding COVID-19, it is extremely important that we share with you the most up-to-date materials that we receive. PLEASE take a moment and carefully review this Parent FAQ, with information from the district and also from the state Department of Education. All updates in the FAQ are in blue type. Just this afternoon, the Maine CDC amended the quarantine requirement to 10 days, down from 14 days.
Need a Book for A Young Person?
Some suggestions from experts and expert parents, just in time for the holiday season. Follow this link to view a list of titles or click on the image to the left.
Traveling Over Break? Important Info to Know Before You Return
We have been hearing that people have questions regarding travel around the holiday break. Please read the excerpt below from the Maine CDC website. You CAN travel to NH and VT without having to get COVID tested or quarantine upon return to Maine. If you travel to ANY other state you need a COVID test or 10 day quarantine upon your return to the state. Another good take away is the "know before you go", many states have rules about travelers, so make sure you check that states CDC website before you travel. Some states like Massachusetts and Vermont require you to have a COVID test and quarantine prior to your arrival. At this point there is no mandate on the type of test you need to get to return. Both Rapid tests or PCR tests are accepted.
From MAINE CDC website:
It is mandated that all out-of-state travelers coming into Maine, as well as Maine residents returning to Maine, complete a 10-day quarantine upon arrival. Travelers should monitor for signs and symptoms for an additional 4 days. This means:
You need to arrive with enough food for 10 days or arrange to have food delivered to you. You cannot go out to grocery stores.
Stay at home. You cannot go out to public places.
Avoid contact with others, especially those who are at high risk of severe COVID-19 illness.
Negative Antigen or Molecular Test Result
The State will allow adults who have a negative COVID-19 antigen or molecular (PCR, NAAT, or isothermal) test collected no more than 72 hours before arriving in Maine to forgo the 10-day quarantine upon arrival in Maine. An antibody test is not accepted to forgo quarantine for visitors and those returning to Maine. Maine is strongly urging visitors to “Know Before You Go,” meaning they should get tested and receive their test results in their home state before traveling to Maine, which will allow them to take appropriate action depending on the result. If you do not have the test result by the time you arrive, you must quarantine in your lodging until you receive the result. Individuals may be tested upon arrival in Maine as well, but they must quarantine while awaiting the results.
Fully Remote Preparedness Plans
Upcoming SPS Events - Mark Your Calendar!
- December 23 - January 1 - Winter Break
- January 4 & 5 - Remote Days for ALL students
- January 7 - School Board Meeting
SPS District Email Newsletter Signup
Health & Safety
Please make sure you review the UPDATED Student Health Self Assessment questions EVERY DAY before sending your child off to school. Updated guidance from the state has REMOVED a few less common symptoms from the list, including stomach pain, rash, swelling, and red eyes.
TOGETHER, we can make our schools as safe as possible!
Links to Our Schools
Services & Information
Spec. Services | Alison Marchese, amarchese@scarboroughschools.org
Food Services | Peter Esposito, pesposito@scarboroughschools.org
Athletics & Activities | Mike LeGage, mlegage@scarboroughschools.org
Curriculum I Monique Culbertson, mculbertson@scarboroughschools.org
Community Services | Todd Souza, tsouza@scarboroughmaine.org
Tech Support
For technology assistance with SPS student laptops, please send a message to techsupport@scarboroughschools.org and someone from Technology will be in touch to assist you.
Scarborough Schools
Website: www.scarboroughschools.org
Location: 259 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074, USA
Phone: (207) 730-4100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scarbmeschools/
Twitter: @scarbmeschools