The broadcaster, publisher and humanist, Drew Nederpelt, delivered some remarks. His 9/11 story is featured in the book TOWER STORIES: An Oral History of 9/11 and represents the "everyman" impacted by the September 11th attacks.

Drew Nederpelt Biography

Drew grew up in Toronto, Amsterdam and Zurich, and Dutch was his first language. After college, he started a career in consulting that led him to Bentonville, Arkansas – home of Walmart. In the late 90s, Drew’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to start a technology company, then when that industry crashed in 2000, he started a Manhattan literary agency, then a successful publishing operation that lasted a decade. When that industry was upended by digital, Drew moved onto television-- founding the Health & Wellness Channel which airs on DirecTV-- magazines, hosting radio shows and even recently added stand-up comedy to his list of career experiences. He also found time for various athletic activities including running marathons and more recently, triathlon competitions. His 9/11 story appears in the original edition of Tower Stories, one of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed books published about 9/11 .

The last few years have been more than challenging as Educators have had to find new ways to connect while continuing to forge forward. Through Distance Learning, Zoom, and many other obstacles, all have had to become innovative with their respective approaches and techniques; and one local teacher has done just that while receiving a surprising honor in the process.

This morning, Brendan Kirby chatted with Ponaganset High School Teacher Chris Stanley about his recent well-deserved recognition of receiving a Henry Ford Innovation Nation Teacher Innovator Award. From what motivates him to inspire students and give back, to his dedication to hard work and making their schooling experience memorable and engaging, Chris explained his approach and what the honor means to him.

To learn more about the Awards, visit: https://inhub.thehenryford.org/professional-development/teacher-innovator-awards

Rhode Show interview with Mr. Stanley

Dear Parents / Guardians of Captain Isaac Paine, Ponaganset Middle School, and Ponaganset High School Students,

It is refreshing to have students and adults filling our hallways and classrooms over the past two weeks. There was a noticeable sense of excitement as students and adults returned to school. The first day jitters quickly dispersed as students met their new teachers, moved around school, got reacquainted with old friends, and began to make new ones.

Notification of Positive COVID-19 Cases

Today we received notification that an individual at Captain Isaac Paine School tested positive for COVID-19. This individual was in school yesterday during the timeframe when he/she would be infectious. The RI Department of Health (RIDOH) was consulted regarding this case and advised us that no students need to be quarantined as close contacts of the positive case. Since the return to school there have been positive cases reported of individuals who did not attend school during their infectious period.

Last week, we received notification of a student at Ponaganset High School who tested positive for COVID-19. RIDOH was consulted and a number of students were identified as potential close contacts of the positive case and asked to quarantine. Since the return to school there have been positive cases reported of individuals who did not attend school during their infectious period.

Since the return to school we have not received notification of any positive cases where student or staff were present in the school facility during the timeframe when they would be infections. There have been positive cases reported of individuals who did not attend school during their infectious period.

Please Proactively Monitor for COVID-19 Symptoms

As was the case last year, we ask all adults in our schools as well as all our families to continue to self-monitor for any symptoms of COVID-19 on a daily basis. The RIDOH changed their protocols for the 2021-2022 school year. In the absence of a more likely diagnosis, any person who exhibits one or more COVID-19 symptom should be tested for COVID and isolate while they await their results.

If your child is a confirmed case, displaying COVID-19, waiting for results of a COVID-19 test, or a close contact of a positive case we ask that you have your child remain home.­ If a member of your household is symptomatic then unvaccinated household contacts must quarantine until the results of the person with COVD-19 symptoms are known. Having your child remain home could eliminate the need for other students / staff to quarantine if your child ultimately tests positive. Similarly, all employees and visitors to the school should not enter school facilities if they are displaying symptoms or waiting for results of a COVID test.

The symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever or chills, cough (new), shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose (new), nausea or vomiting, diarrhea. Children usually experience symptoms that are milder than adults.

If your child develops any of the symptoms listed above, please contact your healthcare provider and call the K12 COVID Test Scheduling Service at 844-857-1814 in order to schedule a test. We strongly recommend that all families utilize an identified PreK-12 testing site as those results are returned fasters and shared with a team at the RIDOH dedicated to PreK-12 cases. Students should not be charged any co-payments/deductibles for testing per state and federal guidance. Lack of insurance coverage will never stop someone from receiving a test. Please note, under current RIDOH protocols, if someone with symptoms refused to get tested “the individual should be considered the same as a positive case of COVID-19 and that individual should isolate for 10 days.”

Notify the School of a Possible or Actual COVID-19 Case and Remain Home

If your child, or a household member tests positive for COVID-19, please notify the school so that we may plan and respond accordingly.

Captain Isaac Paine School - cipcovidereporting@paineschool.org

Ponaganset Middle School – pmscovidreporting@fgschools.com

Ponaganset High School – phscovidreporting@fgschools.com

RIDOH Quarantine Requirements

Unvaccinated Individuals

• Quarantine is for unvaccinated individuals who were identified as a close contact to a case (infected person).
• Quarantine keeps someone who may have been exposed to the virus away from others.
  • These individuals must stay home and monitor for symptoms.
  • Last date of exposure is considered “Day 0” for quarantine.

Fully Vaccinated Individuals

• Quarantine is not required for fully vaccinated individuals.
• A person is fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving all doses of an Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved COVID-19 vaccine.

RIDOH Requirement for Testing of ALL Close Contacts

Unvaccinated Close Contacts (including those who meet the close contact exemption)

• People who are not fully vaccinated should get tested immediately after being identified as a close contact. If test results are negative, they should get tested again right away if symptoms develop during quarantine or five to seven days after last exposure.

Vaccinated Close Contacts (including those who meet the close contact exemption)

• Fully vaccinated people who have a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 should get tested three to five days after exposure. They should wear masks in public indoor settings outside of K-12 for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.
• Fully vaccinated individuals may also be tested as soon as notified of being a close contact and then again three to five days after the close contact exposure. This will assist in detecting asymptomatic infection and isolating quickly to prevent further spread.

Closing Thoughts

Thank you for your continued partnership as we all navigate the nuances of COVID-19 in our schools, our families, and our communities. We appreciate the efforts all involved.

Sincerely,

Michael Barnes
Proud Superintendent of Foster and Foster-Glocester Regional Schools

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your students bus situation, below are the bus yard numbers:

Glocester Bus Coordinator

Kim Hopkins/Jackie Dussault 568-6206 X239

Bus Companies

Glocester: Jacques 568-8433

Glocester: Hopkins 568-5096

Foster: Ocean State 397-7415