DAVIS HILL COMMUNITY UPDATE
FEBRUARY 22, 2021
I hope that everyone enjoyed a restful vacation week and had a chance to step away from the screen/ email/ etc. for at least a day or two. As we return to school on Monday, please keep in mind the Travel Order information that has been shared previously (and is also included below).
While much of the data related to COVID is improving, it is important that we maintain our diligence moving forward related to following COVID protocols. Everyone has been wonderful, and while I understand many of us in the DHCommunity are feeling some level of 'COVID fatigue', the spring is coming and most of the data and vaccine information appears to indicate that brighter days are ahead!
PLEASE NOTE: It is critical for our continued success that those in the community remain vigilant related to the DAILY SCREENING and erring on the cautious side when determining if a child is healthy enough to go to school.
Kindly,
Jay Norton, Principal
COVID TRAVEL RESTRICTION SUMMARY
Regarding travel to states which are not listed as a COVID-19 low-risk states:
Per state guidelines, please remember that upon return to Massachusetts travelers must either produce proof of a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72-hours prior to arrival in Massachusetts. If not obtained before entry to Massachusetts, a test may be obtained after arrival, but travelers must begin a 10-day quarantine until a negative test result has been received.
The full Covid Travel Order and list of low risk states is linked HERE.
*I have removed the Hybrid videos and information outlined in my previous updates related to the reopening plan. If you need to review that information, I have provided a link in the 'Community' section of the update (see below) that links back to the last update with that information.
PICTURE DAY... COMING SOON!
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
For DHCommunity members looking to register for Kindergarten for the 2021-2022 School Year (and please feel free to share info to any neighbors/ DHCommunity members you know looking to register).
The process will involve two steps:
2. Completion of hard copy packet that will be sent directly to the attention of Pat Johnson at Davis Hill.
Please let us know if any questions/ concerns. For planning purposes, it is helpful for us to have registrations as soon as possible. Thank you!
ENTRY AND DISMISSAL TIMES
AM ENTRY:
Doors will open and staff will begin entry at 8:50AM.
PM DISMISSAL:
We will begin calling dismissal at 2:20PM.
We appreciate everyone's patience, support and flexibility in regard to entry and dismissal. We are finding that dismissal for parent pick-up is our most challenging time period provided the volume of pick-ups and the requirement for social distancing while students wait to be called. We have made strides in making this more efficient; however, it is my expectation that provided the high volume of pick-ups that this will continue to be a lengthy process.
SCHOOL LUNCH INFORMATION
REPEATED INFORMATION:
Welcome Back!
The WRSD foodservice reminds our district families that meals are FREE to ALL STUDENTS this school year! We encourage you to take advantage of this benefit.
Whether your child is attending in-school learning or full remote, you may also sign up to receive meals to enjoy at home. Please visit WRSDschoolnutrition.com for full sign up details.
Finally, the Biden administration has signed legislation to extend the P-EBT benefits for families receiving SNAP benefits.
Should you feel you may qualify, please submit a Free & Reduced Lunch Application to confirm your income eligibility. The link to the application is found at WRSDschoolnutrition.com
Thank you
Margaret Barton
Supervisor of School Nutrition
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I wanted to update all of you on the lunch program this school year. All lunch meals are FREE for students until the end of the school year. We will be feeding students daily in school. The menu will repeat for Cohort A & B, so this means Monday & Thursday are the same and Tuesday & Friday are the same each week. If any students want to get a milk with their lunch from home, it is not free. The charge for a milk purchase is .60 cents.
Parents will be picking up 3 lunch meals on Wednesday for Hybrid students and 5 lunch meals on Wednesdays for 100% remote students. Any parents wishing to pick up on Wednesdays do need to contact me by email or phone to be added to that list.
Pick up will be on Wednesday's from 3-4.
Thank you,
Alison Towns
Food Service Manager
Health Office Updates/ Information
COVID tracking:
Please contact the health office if your child has been identified as a close contact, has been tested due to covid symptoms or has tested positive for covid. Please email on Wednesdays as the nurse may be working remotely those days. Contact information for Mrs. Berquist is below:
Sandra Berquist
Davis Hill School Nurse
office # 508-829-2273
IMPORTANT: Medication Drop Off
Parent(s)/ Guardian(s):
All medication orders need to be renewed each school year. If you child requires any medication at school please make an appointment with Sandra Berquist RN. We can not accommodate drop-ins at this time.
You will need an updated medication order from MD , your signature on form and the medication in its original pharmacy bottle. A limit of a 30 day supply can be kept at school.
MD Orders are necessary for non-prescription medications as well. Medications must be in original packaging.
Please contact Mrs. Berquist if your child:
-Has tested positive for Covid -19 in the last 10 days.
-If any household members have tested positive in the last 10 days.
-Has been asked to isolate by a medical professional.
-Has been asked to quarantine by a medical professional.
-Travelled or plan to travel to any high risk state before January 19, 2021
-PLEASE EMAIL MRS. BERQUIST ON WEDNESDAY'S (As she may be working remotely)
From Central Office - MA COVID-19 Travel Order Update:
Below is a link to the state's COVID-19 Travel Order website.
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order#lower-risk-states-
IMPORTANT CHANGE/ STATE REQUIREMENT:
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is removing the requirement for flu vaccination for attendance in childcare/preschool, primary, secondary and postsecondary education. Preliminary data show that this has been a mild flu season to date, presumably as people have received their seasonal flu vaccine and have been adhering to mask-wearing and social distancing due to COVID-19. Given the intensive Commonwealth-wide efforts regarding COVID-19 vaccination, DPH wants to alleviate the burden to obtain flu vaccination and focus on continuing our COVID -19 vaccination efforts.
DPH continues to strongly recommend that everyone age six months and older receive their seasonal flu vaccine each year.
PHYSICAL INFORMATION:
4th grade students need to have an updated physical and immunization record on file. See MA law :
Specific Requirements:
M.G.L. c.71, s.57 and related amendments and regulations (105 CMR 200.000–200.920) require physical examinations of school children within 6 months before entry into school or during the first year after entry, and at intervals of either 3 or 4 years thereafter, such as during kindergarten, 4th grade, 7th grade, and 10th grade.
If you did not send one in on your current 5th grade student last year, please send in ASAP.
Nurses Informational Videos:
Thank you
Sandra Berquist
Davis Hill School Nurse
508-829-2273
fax# 508-829-2057
*Upcoming Important Dates (Of course this year... Things are always subject to change!)
February 22nd: Return to School/ Cohort A In-Person
February 23rd: Cohort A In-Person
February 24th: Remote Only
February 25th: Cohort B In-Person
February 26th: Cohort B In-Person
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WRSD 2020-2021 Calendar Link HERE
GENERAL HYBRID SCHEDULE:
Our typical schedule and school day will include synchronous learning for hybrid Cohort A, Cohort B and Full Remote students (Cohort C) each day.
Cohorts:
Cohort A - In-Person on Monday / Tuesday
Cohort B - In-Person on Thursday / Friday
Wednesday - Remote Synchronous Instruction in AM / Asynchronous in PM
Hybrid Instructional Day Start and End Times:
Arrival:
Doors Open at 8:50
Dismissal:
Begins at 2:20
LINK TO HYBRID REOPENING INFORMATION
Gale Free Library Information/ Black History Month
Davis Hill Elementary School
Email: jay_norton@wrsd.net
Website: http://www.wrsd.net/davishill/
Location: 80 Jamieson Road, Holden, MA 01520, United States
Phone: 508-829-1754
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavisHillDragons/
Twitter: @DHPrincipal