HRSD HIGHLIGHTS
January 14, 2022
DISTRICT TIDBITS TO KEEP YOU IN THE LOOP
A long weekend awaits us! Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a time to reflect upon community service. I encourage everyone to reach out, in small ways or grand gestures, to help those in need during these difficult times. Even our youngest students can express kindness, compassion and empathy towards others.
DESE has extended the mask mandate through February 28, 2022. Each school committee will need to decide how to proceed with masks once 80% of the school's population is vaccinated. On Monday, DESE changed its guidance pertaining to unvaccinated students and masking once the 80% threshold has been met. While they suggest it, they are not mandating masks for unvaccinated students once the school reaches the 80% threshold. School committees will revise the policy based on Board of Health recommendations, medical guidance, case counts and other Covid data.
During a teleconference with local superintendents, "cross district Covid parties" were mentioned, where students purposely get exposed to Covid, similar to what my generation did with chicken pox. Please tell your students that this is NOT a good idea!
We encourage students and families to check the weather each morning, and students should dress appropriately for the weather during these colder months. This also applies to those driven to school since unexpected school evacuations can occur.
WES School Committee has removed the liability waiver in the Vaccination Policy.
Southampton School Committee approved two additional half days for Norris students: February 18th and March 11th. Staff will work full days.
Upcoming Dates to Keep in Mind for the Next Two Weeks:
- January 17: NO SCHOOL due to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- January 18: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS due to Professional Development Day for Staff; ATD Negotiations (5-7pm via Zoom)
- January 19: ATD School Committee 5:30pm
- January 26: WES Negotiations (5-7pm via Zoom)
- January 28: Half Day for students at HRHS, ATD, WES and NHRES
DESE/DPH have issued updated guidance for responding to Covid. Please see a copy of our updated DISTRICT Covid protocols here.
DISTRICT & COMMUNITY COVID NUMBERS IN REVIEW:
During the weeks of 12/26-1/8, numbers continue to rise at a rapid rate throughout the state and Hampshire County. Hampshire County rates have almost doubled during this 2 week window, and case counts have risen in all of our communities with the exception of Worthington. Our community rates are not as high as our neighboring communities which have doubled in Easthampton, Northampton and Westfield, and almost tripled in Amherst (214 to 609).
COVID-19 VACCINES
COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 5 years and older, and boosters for those eligible. See chart on booster information below.
Northampton Health Dept has multiple upcoming vaccination clinics. You can register for these at the link below.
https://www.northamptonma.gov/2219/Vaccine-Clinics
We are working on offering another vaccination clinic in the district, and will be in touch as details are confirmed.
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.
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
HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE VACCINATED IN EACH GRADE IN EACH SCHOOL?
ATD
PK: 0 students, 0%
K: 9 students, 69.23%
Grade 1: 6 students, 54.55%
Grade 2: 9 students, 52.94%
Grade 3: 15 students, 65.22%
Grade 4: 16 students, 88.89%
Grade 5: 14 students, 73.68%
Grade 6: 23 students, 82.14%
TOTAL= 92 students, 71.32%
NHRES
PK: 1 student, 3.57%
K: 7 students, 29.17%
Grade 1: 5 students, 41.67%
Grade 2: 7 students, 36.84%
Grade 3: 5 students, 29.41%
Grade 4: 5 students, 31.25%
Grade 5: 7 students, 38.89%
Grade 6: 8 students, 57.14%
TOTAL= 45 students, 30.41%
NORRIS
PK: 1 student, 2.86%
K: 34 students, 53.13%
Grade 1: 28 students, 46.67%
Grade 2: 27 students, 46.55%
Grade 3: 22 students, 32.84%
Grade 4: 29 students, 56.86%
Grade 5: 35 students, 44.87%
Grade 6: 31 students, 50.82 %
TOTAL= 207 students, 43.67%
WES
PK: 2 students, 18.18 %
K: 4 students, 28.57%
Grade 1: 3 students, 33.33%
Grade 2: 6 students, 46.15%
Grade 3: 5 students, 41.67%
Grade 4: 3 students, 25.0 %
Grade 5: 14 students, 73.68%
Grade 6: 9 students, 52.94%
TOTAL= 44 students, 45.83%
HRHS
Grade 7: 92 students, 74.19%
Grade 8: 94 students, 71.76 %
Grade 9: 70 students, 67.96%
Grade 10: 76 students, 78.35%
Grade 11: 83 students, 83.84%
Grade 12+: 101 students, 78.91%
TOTAL= 516 students, 75.66%
For additional town data pertaining to Covid-19, please use the link below:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BY SCHOOL:
In the chart below, you will see COVID data from each school this week.
COVID Testing
COVID-19 Testing Next Week
ATD, Norris, and WES will complete weekly COVID safety checks on Wednesday, 1/19.
NHRES will begin weekly COVID safety checks on Thursday, 1/20! Please look out for a communication from the school regarding this program, and how to join. Consent can be provided at https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma?district=Hampshire.
INSURANCE COVERING COST OF HOME TESTS:
Starting Saturday, 1/15 private health insurers will be required to cover up to eight home COVID-19 tests per month for people on their plans. Under the new policy, Americans will be able to either purchase home testing kits for free under their insurance or submit receipts for the tests for reimbursement, up to the monthly per-person limit. A family of four, for instance, could be reimbursed for up to 32 tests per month. PCR tests and rapid tests ordered or administered by a health provider will continue to be fully covered by insurance with no limit.
Americans on Medicare won’t be able to get tests reimbursed through the federal insurance plan, but Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program plans are required to cover the cost of at-home tests fully. Those who are not on a covered insurance plan can receive free tests through the forthcoming federal website.
Please check with your insurance provider to access this.
If you are having difficulty accessing a COVID-19 test and need one for your student to return to school, please contact your school nurse.