Hello Dewing School Community,

We have not sent out a smore since the beginning of the new calendar year, but that does not mean we have not been busy here at the Dewing. Learning is back in full swing and we are so happy to see all of our students!

The past two weeks have not been without their challenges, and we wanted to share some information. As you are aware, COVID numbers across the region have skyrocketed. This has surely been the case here at the Dewing School. Our nursing staff has been working so hard to help keep us afloat. Our teachers have been working hard to minimize the number of close contacts. Our kids love to be with each other and learn together. Inevitably, when we have a situation where a student is positive and was in school, there will be a couple of close contacts. However, we do want you to be aware that we have taken some additional steps over the past two weeks to decrease the number of close contacts.

• In the cafeteria, student seating has been adjusted to have all students seated in one direction. All students have assigned seats and are spread apart to the best extent possible. Don't worry, students can still talk to each other!
• In the classrooms, teachers keep seating charts and try to space students apart as much as possible. This helps us when we contact trace.
• Our hardworking custodial staff are working hard to continue to keep our buildings clean.

We do ask that if your child is feeling ill or has been exposed to someone in the home/community who has tested positive, you please follow the recommended protocols. If you wish to share your child's vaccination status with the nurse, you are welcome to send that to her at jrobinson@tewksbury.k12.ma.us.

We are all in this together, we know this is hard. Your children's health and safety is very important to us. We thank you for your collaboration and help. We could not make this work without each of you.

As a reminder, there is no school on Monday as we celebrate the life, mission and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Be well,

Terry Gerrish and Alexis Bosworth