HRSD HIGHLIGHTS
December 17, 2021
DISTRICT TIDBITS TO KEEP YOU IN THE LOOP
It's almost break time, and with increases in student and staff absences, it couldn't come at a better time! As we prepare for family gatherings, please be mindful of social distancing and thoughtful behaviors, even if vaxed. While students want a return to normalcy, sleepovers can be dangerous. Please exercise good judgment.
IMPORTANT:
Recognizing that teachers and students are overwhelmed, stressed and burnt out I am asking our School Committees to consider half days for students on January 28th and March 11th. Teachers would still work full days, however this would give them time in the afternoon to get caught up with paperwork and hopefully take some weight off of their shoulders. I am in the middle of presenting this to the school committees but at this time, WES and ATD will have half days on 1/28 and 3/11. I completely understand the burden this places on families in regards to daycare issues but since we meet time on learning requirements, students and staff really need this time to regroup.
Attention Educators with School Loans:
There is an expanded waiver that extends into October 2022. If you haven't qualified for loan forgiveness in the past, here is your chance to try again. Thanks to Jacob Masenoir at HRHS for this info:
https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/pslf-limited-waiver
Upcoming Dates to Keep in Mind for the Next Two Weeks:
- December 20: ATD Para negotiations 5pm (zoom)
- December 21: NHRES School Committee 4:30 (zoom); WES negotiations 5pm (zoom)
- December 22: Southampton School Committee 5pm (zooom)
- December 23: Half Day
- December 24- December 31: Break
- January 3: Return to school; HRHS School Committee 6pm (zoom)
ATD teachers' contract has been ratified and approved by Williamsburg School Committee. Congratulations! NHRES and Southampton School Committee meetings are to discuss the potential two half days.
DISTRICT & COMMUNITY COVID NUMBERS IN REVIEW:
Numbers continue to rise throughout the state and Hampshire County. In fact, the state's number of positive cases has almost doubled in the past month from 33,430 cases on 12/3 to 60,639 on 12/16. Hampshire County cases have increased by 50% since last week.
Cases are on the rise in our community, as well. Goshen continues to have the fewest cases (under 5). While Southampton has 73 cases (case count last 14 days), this number has doubled over the past month.
COVID-19 VACCINES
COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 5 years and older, and Boosters for those eligible.
The DPH 'Vax bus' and Northampton Health Dept are hosting various upcoming clinics in Western MA if you are looking for a 1st, 2nd, or booster appt for yourself or your child(ren). Please check out the links below for local appointments.
https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/yankeeline
https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/northampton
For pediatric doses, you can also check in with your pediatrician’s office to see if they are vaccinating their patients.
We do not have any other clinics confirmed in the district at this time, but we will communicate with all if that changes.
If your child has recently received their 2nd dose, it is important to remember that individuals are not considered fully vaccinated until 2 weeks after the 2nd dose. Therefore, it is important for those recently vaccinated to remain vigilant with mask wearing, social distancing, hand hygiene, and staying home/testing when not feeling well.
HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE VACCINATED IN EACH GRADE IN EACH SCHOOL?
HRHS
Grade 7: 86 students, 69.35%
Grade 8: 90 students, 68.70 %
Grade 9: 69 students, 66.99%
Grade 10: 74 students, 76.29%
Grade 11: 81 students, 81.82%
Grade 12+: 99 students, 77.34%
TOTAL= 499 students, 73.17%
Below you will find the number of elementary school students in each grade with 1 or 2 doses of COVID vaccine. This is how we will report this data through the month of December.
In January 2022, we will begin to report the number of students fully vaccinated by grade with the corresponding percentage.
Students are not considered “fully vaccinated” until 2 weeks after their 2nd dose.
COVID-19 AND FLU VACCINATION RESOURCES:
- Webpage about vaccinations for children ages 5-11: Parents are encouraged to contact their health care provider for an appointment or visit VaxFinder.mass.gov.
- Booster Eligibility Graphic and COVID-19 booster frequently asked questions for information about boosters.
- Reorganized “Trust the Facts, Get the Vax” website and resources
- Flu shot facts
For additional town data pertaining to Covid-19, please use the link below:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BY SCHOOL:
Chesterfield-Goshen:
We had six confirmed positive cases in the New Hingham Regional School community this week, and all of these individuals remain isolated at this time. There were a total of twenty-seven individuals identified as close contacts to these cases. One close contact remains appropriately quarantined, and the rest are currently participating in the test & stay program. All three of the positive individuals from last week remain isolated at this time. All close contacts that were participating in the test & stay program last week have completed the program and remained negative throughout.
Williamsburg:
We had one new confirmed positive case in the Anne T. Dunphy School community this week. Four close contacts were identified to this case, and all of these individuals are participating in the test & stay program.
Southampton:
We had four new confirmed positive cases in the Norris School community this week, and all of these individuals remain isolated at this time. Two of these individuals were not in school while infectious so no close contacts in the school community were identified. One case had one close contact that has completed the test & stay program and remained negative throughout. The other case had one close contact identified that remains appropriately quarantined. It is important to note this individual was not exposed in school, but is a member of the Norris community. Three positive individuals were still isolated last week, and have since completed isolation appropriately.
Westhampton:
We had no new confirmed positive cases in the Westhampton Elementary School community this week. The two close contacts that were participating in the test & stay program last week have completed the program and remained negative throughout. The positive individual from last week remains isolated at this time.
Hampshire Regional:
We had eleven confirmed positive cases in the HRHS community this week, and all of these individuals remain isolated at this time. Nine of these individuals only had close contacts that are exempt from testing & quarantine protocols. One of these cases had two close contacts that needed to follow testing & quarantine protocols. Contact tracing is still ongoing for one case, and any close contacts that need to follow testing & quarantine protocols will be notified privately.