Important Update from Dr. Campbell
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Dear Families and Staff of the Plymouth Public Schools,
We were so happy to welcome back all our students this week. Our staff worked extremely hard to prepare our classrooms for a full return. It goes without saying that this has been a difficult year for students, as well as for our families and staff. Our staff have faced the most demanding circumstances of their careers. There have been no easy answers this year as we address all the challenges of this pandemic. I want to personally thank our educators for their tireless and extraordinary work on behalf of our children. I also want to thank our families for the patience and consideration they have shown, and continue to show, as we work through this extraordinary public health challenge.
I’ve had the opportunity to engage with many students during my weekly visits to schools. I have to say that the joy expressed by so many students has been amazing. It is very gratifying to hear so many of our students eager to be back every day, spending more time with their teachers, and seeing some of their peers they haven’t seen since last spring. I think we would all agree that nothing can replace the experience students receive by attending school.
As we approach the April break, we want to remind our families, students, and staff about the travel advisories as well as other important health and safety matters. We understand that the weather is improving and everyone is anxious to get out from under the restrictions we have been enduring for over a year. However, it is important that we do not take a step backwards in providing a safe learning environment for our students when they return from vacation.
April Travel Reminders
As we approach April break, we encourage everyone to exercise caution with social gatherings and travel. We ask that everyone be vigilant in protecting yourself and others by wearing masks, washing hands, physical distancing, keeping your children home when they are sick, and limiting group gatherings. None of us like the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, but we do ask that you follow the guidelines for travel and plan to quarantine upon return, if necessary, as specified by the Massachusetts Department of Health Travel Advisory.
Student Test Kits Information
The district will once again be offering COVID test kits to interested families prior to April vacation. The goal of this test kit is to provide our students a convenient, no-cost testing opportunity in order to provide our school community a measure of safety and reassurance. Testing is completely optional and is at the discretion of the student's primary caregiver. However, if you are going to use this test during April vacation, you must take the test and put it in a FED-EX drop box by Thursday, April 22nd so that we have the results prior to returning to school on April 26th. The individual and the Superintendent’s office will receive the results via email. If you receive a positive result, we ask that you contact your student’s building administration.
Test kits are for PPS Students only and should not be shared with other family members. The kit is a saliva test and is user friendly. Directions and test registrations are included in the test kit. Please note that the test kits must be registered online following the simple directions provided in the test kits. Test kits are expensive, and while voluntary, if you take a test kit you are expected to use it within the guidelines provided in this memo.
Test kits are available for pick up for the remainder of this week. If you are interested in picking up a test kit, they are available now through Friday, April 16th at your child's school during school hours. Please report to the main office or reception. These cannot be sent home with students. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's school with any questions.
As a reminder, tests should be dropped off at a FED-EX drop box no later than April 22nd. Check here for a list of FED-EX drop box locations.
In closing, thank you for your continued support. Please take care and have a healthy and enjoyable spring break! If you have any questions at any time, please feel free to contact your school administration, or my office.
Sincerely,
Christopher S. Campbell, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Christopher S. Campbell
Superintendent of Schools
11 Lincoln Street | Plymouth, MA 02360
Phone: 508-830-4300 | Fax: 508-746-1873
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