HRSD HIGHLIGHTS
October 15, 2021
DISTRICT TIDBITS TO KEEP YOU IN THE LOOP
U.S. News & World Report ranked Westhampton Elementary School 44th in the state! What an honor! In the past, only high schools have been ranked and this is the first time elementary schools have been ranked by U.S. News & World Report. State assessment data from 2018-2019 was used and therefore pre-dates the impact of the pandemic. Way to go Principal Bates and the WES community!
Upcoming dates to keep in mind for the two next weeks:
- October 19: 5 Districts Working Group 5:30-7 (Zoom)
- October 20: ATD School committee meeting 5 pm
- October 25: HRHS School committee meeting 6 pm (Zoom)
- October 26: 5 District Working Group 5-7 (Zoom)
WES school committee adopted the COVID-19 Mandatory Personnel Vaccination and Testing Policy. Unvaccinated staff will need to provide proof of a negative PCR test result starting November 1.
While people have varying views about mask mandates and vaccination policies, I'd like to remind everyone of the importance of speaking and acting respectfully towards administrators, teachers and school committee members, as well as following school policies that are in place.
I would also like to remind everyone that all of our schools currently have an active mask mandate which is as follows: masks are required indoors for all students and adults, including educators, staff, visitors and volunteers, regardless of vaccination status. Exemptions will be made for those for whom compliance is not possible due to documented medical conditions. Please be aware that visitors will not be allowed entry into school buildings, regardless of time of day or night, unless they are in compliance with the mask policy.
Most schools had lockdown drills this week which were led by the state police. I was able to observe WES's and HRHS's drills and was quite impressed with staff and students. Remember, if you go to school and see a flashing blue light that means the school is in lockdown, and you should drive away if you are able. If you are unable to drive away, please stand as far away from the school as possible. When the blue light stops flashing, it is safe to enter the school.
Southampton will hold a special Town Meeting on December 14th at Norris from 7-10 pm.
Due to national shortages of food and packaging materials, labor shortages, and vendor delivery delays and cancellations, our school lunch menus are subject to change based on availability. Please know that our cafeteria staff members work hard to provide meals every day, adjust on the fly, and provide updates about menu changes as soon as possible. Quick menu substitutions may be necessary based on the supplies on hand so please be patient and supportive.
POOLED TESTING UPDATES
Two districts voted on student safety checks this week, so this is where we stand:
ATD: pooled testing
HRHS: symptomatic testing, test and stay, and pooled testing
NHRES: symptomatic testing, and test and stay
WES and Norris: test and stay, and pooled testing but only with DESE supports
What are our next steps? Stephanie Faas, our nurse leader, will be sending out information and permission slips to families. The exact start dates are unknown at this time since tests have to be ordered and logistics planned. More info to follow.
For additional town data pertaining to Covid-19, please use the link below:
WEEKLY COVID SUMMARY
Information from the state, as of October 14, 2021:
The state and Hampshire County continue to see a DECREASE in case counts. Southampton's case count over the last 14 days has dropped to 14, and Chesterfield and Worthington have zero. Goshen, Westhampton and Williamsburg each have less than five cases.
Surrounding towns show continued decreases. Amherst continues to decrease at a significant rate (98 cases down to 44), and there are 100 fewer cases in the county than last week.
COVID-19 CASES BY AGE GROUP IN MA:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BY SCHOOL:
Chesterfield-Goshen:
We currently do not have any confirmed positive cases within the New Hingham Regional School community.
Williamsburg:
We had two new confirmed positive cases in the Anne T. Dunphy School community. No close contacts have been identified in the school community to either case.
Southampton:
We had one new confirmed positive case in the Norris School community this week. This individual was a close contact (exposed outside of school) so was already quarantined at the time they became infectious. Therefore, no close contacts have been identified in the school community. Both individuals that were still isolated last week and the close contact that was still quarantined have all completed their isolation/quarantine and have been released by the BOH contact tracer.
Westhampton:
We currently do not have any confirmed cases within the Westhampton Elementary School community.
Hampshire Regional:
We had one new confirmed positive case in the HRHS School community this week. No close contacts were identified in the school community. The confirmed positive case that was still isolated last week and the close contact that was still quarantined have both completed their isolation/quarantine and have been released by the BOH contact tracer.
HRHS Student Vaccination Update (# of students fully vaccinated by grade):
Grade 7: 66 students
Grade 8: 73 students
Grade 9: 56 students
Grade 10: 64 students
Grade 11: 74 students
Grade 12+: 88 students
TOTAL= 421 students
*Please note- only close contacts that have to follow testing & quarantine protocols are reflected in the school specific updates here. There may be situations where close contacts are exempt from testing & quarantine protocols based on the circumstances of the encounter. While exempt close contacts will not be reported here, they will always be notified of the exposure so they are able to monitor for symptoms for 14 days from the last exposure to the positive individual. This notification may be made via a phone call or a swift reach email. If you receive this notification at any time and have questions or concerns, please reach out to Stephanie Faas (#413-437-5577; sfaas@hr-k12.org) or your building school nurse.