Return to School Update
May 7, 2021
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LOOKING AHEAD
In these last weeks of school as the weather gets warmer and there are end of school year events and celebrations, including Mother’s Day this weekend, let's continue our efforts to keep our community safe and healthy by:
Wearing a mask at all times - on school grounds, buses, and during school events (except during lunch or mask breaks) even if you are vaccinated; continue to wear a mask when in close contact with people not in your household.
Maintaining physical distancing at 6 feet, in school and out, whenever possible
Participating in weekly COVID-19 testing (Pooled/PCR)
Getting vaccinated!
Our school nurses are asking families to provide updated contact information and to please answer calls from the school when students become ill during the day.
Lastly, while we are actively focused on finishing this year strong, planning is underway for next year. Current K - 11 families should look for an important email next week regarding Bus Registration for the 21-22 school year.
Have a great weekend and a happy Mother’s Day.
HIGH SCHOOL REMINDERS
- FHS Seniors returned to school full-time on April 29, 2021.
- On May 12th students in Grades 9-11 who are A week hybrid students, B week hybrid students, and remote students who requested to return in person last March will return every day through the end of the year.
CURRENT PUBLIC HEALTH CONDITIONS
Below are important informational links that highlight the current COVID-related public health conditions in Framingham. Please note the Current Status and City of Framingham Weekly Data Analysis included below is pulled each Monday. We recognize that the data can change between Monday and Friday when this communication is prepared.
Click to see the FPS COVID Dashboard
Click to review the City of Framingham Weekly Data Analysis (PDF)
Click to access the City of Framingham COVID Resource Page
RETURN-TO-SCHOOL DASHBOARD
(Text from the table above)
Return-to-School Target
City Positivity: 4% (or less)
New Cases (Daily): 10 (or less)
Current Status (Latest Report: May 5, 2021)
City Positivity: 2.61%
New Cases (Daily): 10.16
↘︎ Lower than the previous week
2-Week Historical Trend
April 28, 2021
City Positivity: 3.09%
New Cases (Daily): 15.24
↘︎ Lower than the previous week
April 12, 2021
City Positivity: 4.02% (No change from the previous week)
New Cases (Daily): 26.96 (↘︎ Lower than the previous week)
POOLED TESTING AND COVID CASE REPORTING
Please review the Pooled Testing Data Dashboard for the most up-to-date pooled testing data.
Please review the FPS COVID Data Dashboard for the most up-to-date cumulative data on positive cases.
RISK MITIGATION EFFORTS
We believe that all of our risk mitigation efforts (including facility safety upgrades, mask wearing, physical/social distancing, weekly COVID testing, the COVID-19 vaccine, daily attestation, and others) have supported our success in bringing our students and staff safely back to school. You can reference the expanded Risk Mitigation Effort details shared in recent Return to School Smores which are now linked at the bottom of this newsletter.
Masks/Face Coverings
Masks/Face Coverings are among the most important single measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. Masks must be worn by everyone at all times with rare exceptions.The District Face Coverings Policy provides more detailed information.
COVID-19 Individual PCR Testing for ALL FPS Staff
ALL FPS staff are encouraged to participate in weekly COVID-19 individual PCR testing that is provided at each of our schools.
COVID-19 Pooled Testing for Students
We encourage all of our students to participate in pooled testing! Pooled testing is free, easy, and helps to identify asymptomatic students with COVID-19 early and prevent the spread of the virus through the school community. Provide Consent for your child to participate in COVID-19 Pooled Testing today: Pool Testing Consent Form
As of April 26, 2021 all students participating in an athletic program/team at Framingham High school are required to participate in weekly pooled testing.
BinaxNow follow-up testing is now in place to address a positive pooled test result. This means students in a positive pool will be tested individually with a BinaxNow antigen rapid test to identify who is positive for COVID-19. BinaxNow testing utilizes a shallow nasal swab and results are received within 15 minutes. Testing will be administered at your child’s school by trained staff. Students in a positive pool who test negative with a follow-up BinaxNow test can remain in school. Students with a positive BinaxNow test must isolate and be picked up from school as soon as possible. If the BinaxNow testing does not identify a COVID-19 positive individual, each person in the pool will need a follow up individual PCR test. Students must isolate and be picked up from school as soon as possible and will remain out of school until they receive a negative individual PCR test result. You can find a location to have your child PCR tested here.
MyMedBot (Attestation App)
MyMedBot is used to screen all FPS staff and students daily for potential COVID symptoms by answering a series of COVID-19 related questions. The app should be completed truthfully every day. Staff and students should never come into a school building when sick or if you’ve been exposed to COVID, especially if someone in your home has tested positive or is exhibiting symptoms. Your cooperation and collaboration is key to keeping schools open and safe for everyone.
COVID Call Center
Families can reach the trilingual COVID Call Center by email COVID@framingham.k12.ma.us or by calling (508) 782-6633. Call Center staff are available between 5:00am to 6:00pm Monday through Friday.
COVID-19 Vaccines
All educators are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Staff can use the state’s pre-registration system to schedule appointments: mass.gov:COVID Vaccine Pre-registration. Once an educator has received their full vaccine dose, they should upload it to TalentEd to enhance the efficiencies of the COVID Team in contact tracing and MedBot determinations.You can find frequently asked questions about COVID vaccine side effects here.
Please remember it is possible to get COVID-19 even after you are vaccinated. If you have any other symptoms such as runny nose, sore throat, cough, or loss of sense of smell or taste, stay home from work, avoid close contact with others, get PCR tested, and contact your healthcare provider. It takes several weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. Please continue to wear a mask, maintain 6ft physical distance, practice frequent hand washing, and stay home when sick.
UPDATED! COVID-19 Vaccines for Young People Under Age 18
Young people 16 years of age and older who live, work, or go to school in Massachusetts are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Currently, people under age 18 can only be given the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine which is a safe and effective vaccine given in two doses at least 21 days apart. The large number of people who have already been vaccinated has contributed to the recent steady decline in COVID-19 infections. Vaccination of our young people creates an exciting opportunity to keep them safe and healthy and promote the continued decline of COVID-19’s presence in our community.
The MetroWest-Westborough Regional Collaborative is offering a Pfizer vaccine clinic for high school students ages 16 years and older. (Students must be 16 by 5/8). Please refer to this Smore which was shared with parents/guardians of 16yo students on Monday. The Vaccine Clinic takes place tomorrow, May 8th from 8:30am-5:30pm at the DoubleTree Hotel (5400 Computer Drive, Westborough, MA). In the Smore you will find the link to make an appointment and the consent forms in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. The Consent Form is required.
Keep in mind that a small percentage of people who are fully vaccinated will still get COVID-19 if they are exposed to the virus that causes it. For this reason, it is extremely important for vaccinated young people to continue to wear a mask, physically distance, practice frequent hand hygiene, stay home when sick, and participate in pooled or PCR testing.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines for young people under the age of 18, including how to schedule and prepare for an appointment can be found here.
COVID INFORMATION WEBSITE
Members of the COVID Team have been working hard behind the scenes to update a dedicated website with COVID Information and Resources. This site will continue to be updated as new information becomes available.
Please visit https://www.framingham.k12.ma.us/covid for more information.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Please continue to make sure that your school has update-to-date contact information, including cell phone numbers, for all Primary and Emergency contacts associated with your child(ren). At least 4 contacts should be listed. It is extremely important that we are able to reach you for important communications, contact tracing if needed, and to ensure MyMedBot is associated with the correct email address(es).
RECENT RETURN TO SCHOOL SMORES
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Framingham Public Schools
Website: www.framingham.k12.ma.us
Location: 31 Flagg Drive, Framingham, MA 01702, USA
Phone: 508-626-9117
Facebook: facebook.com/framinghamps
Twitter: @framinghamps