Info on school COVID testing
November 13, 2020
All school districts designated as yellow zones must engage in mandatory testing for 20% of our in-person students and staff members. Following are updates from Dr. Mendoza related to COVID-19 testing in our district, which begins on Monday, November 16:
As of last night, Dr. Mendoza reported that there were 300 new cases reported yesterday in Monroe County and our overall positivity rate is now above 4%. Luckily, he does not see that tripping us into the orange zone just yet (there are other factors involved in that move up from the yellow zone). Why does that matter to us? Because a shift to orange zone status automatically moves impacted districts to 100% remote learning.
NO student will be tested without parent/guardian consent. We need all parents to either opt in or out of COVID-19 testing; it’s important that we hear from all of you regarding your choice for your child(ren) ASAP. Parents can opt in or out of testing using the Infinite Campus (IC) Parent Portal. Once logged in, click the SURVEY link in the middle of the page and complete the survey (one survey per student):
If you have never logged into the portal or need assistance in doing so, please contact ICPortal@webstercsd.org immediately.
I know there have been questions about the actual test that districts will be using. It is incredibly simple, and many of our older students (grades 6-12) can self-administer. Please watch the BRIEF VIDEO below of my experience with the test (and two of my friends, a 1st grader and an 8th grader).
Test results are confidential and will be read within 15 minutes. You will be emailed early in the week notifying you if your student has been selected for testing that week. You will also be emailed after the test is complete to alert that the results are now visible in the IC Parent Portal.
If a student or staff member tests positive, they will immediately be isolated and sent home. Parents/guardians can opt for a follow-up test at their pediatrician, but Dr. Mendoza is certain that the positives from this rapid nasal test are truly indicative of someone with COVID-19.
Parents cannot take the rapid test in place of their child. Dr. Mendoza does feel that eventually the testing should be expanded beyond schools to the general population, but our region is just not ready for that yet. He is very confident that we'll be able to drive down our positivity rate after a few weeks of in-school testing.
Staff members are being trained today and this weekend to administer the tests to our students whose parents/guardians opt them in for testing.
What happens if we run out of students to test, because so many families are opting out? Well, we'll cross that bridge when we get there, but our hope is that we'll have enough students to at least get through two to three full weeks of testing and hopefully, by that time, we'll be out of the yellow zone.
Here is the link to opt in or opt out of in school testing:
Titan Updates
Math League Rocks!!
HOBY applications being accepted
Attention sophomores:
Would you like to discover how you and your peers can help lead social change in our school and/or community?
If you answered yes, please see or email Mr. Callard (John_Callard@webstercsd.org) in the Student Center Monday or Tuesday to learn more about the 2021 Hugh O’Brien Youth (HOBY) Leadership Program.
Founded in 1958, HOBY’s mission is to inspire and develop our global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation.
HOBY programs are conducted annually throughout the United States, serving local and international high school students. HOBY programs provide students selected by their schools to participate in unique leadership training, service-learning and motivation-building experiences.
This program is being held both in virtual and in-person formats at the University of Rochester June 4-6. There is a cost to attend.
Be a part of the change you want to see in the world!
Positivity in action meets on Mondays at 3:45 via Google Meet! Stop by Mrs. Smalter's room (409) for the code to join.
Be a Future Business Leader of America!
There will be a Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Meeting on Monday, November 16 at 3:25 in Room 255. You can also join virtually, the link is on the Google Classroom, the code is: pxoxwxy. All are welcome!
Join Masterminds!!
You think you know something about Music or Math?
Maybe History, Pop-culture, Travel, or Sports is your thing.
You may be perfect for our Thomas Titans Masterminds Team.
We are a School Team that competes in Knowledge and Trivia from every topic you can think of.
We complete as a group, so there is no high pressure.
No travel, very casual, LOTS of fun... even college scholarships for players who go on.
Only 5 competitions this year... All Remote.
Stop by Mr Christman's room (#302) Monday or Tuesday after school to find out more.
Join our Google classroom using the code shown here.
MasterMinds - It's the Sport for Your Brain!
It's not too soon to think about graduation!!
CAP/GOWN ORDERS
An email was sent home to senior parents with information on ordering caps/gowns, graduation announcements, apparel, etc. Orders should be placed the week of November 16th, as some extra costs may be incurred because their order will be processed and shipped individually at a later date.
Below is a link to do a quick order if you only want to order a cap/gown/tassel and no other graduation items. If you have any questions, please call Jostens @ 377-4778.
January Regents Exams Cancelled!
Change in EMCC Visitation Day for December
The Eastern Monroe Career Center is cancelling their Visitation Day on Friday, December 11th. EMCC's Visitation committee is looking at other options as an alternative, but none of the options will be ready by December 11th.
Please note that on Friday, December 11th we will be open for students who are regularly scheduled to be with us on that day.
From the Athletic Office...
Field Hockey
The Titans Field Hockey team was in action Friday evening taking on Hilton. The girls won the game 5-0. Scoring for the Titans were Molly Fisher, Kaitlyn Jordan, Jenna Parrish, Audrey Grieb and Kenzie Brooks The Titans finished the regular season without any divisional losses, are Divisional Champs and are the number one seed for sectionals.
Thursday Night the Titans again played Hilton, this time for the Class A Sectional Semi Finals. They defeated the Cadets 2-0 on goals by Molly Fisher and Helena Rao. Sydney Baylor recorded the shut out.
Cross Country
The Boys Cross country team remained undefeated with a win over Greece. They are the Divisional Champs.
Boys:
Webster Thomas 17, Greece Olympia/Odyssey 46
1. Austin Schoen Webster Thomas 15:35
2. Connor Thomas Webster Thomas 15:59
3. Evan Lacey Webster Thomas 16:26
5. Jalen Barnwell Webster Thomas 16:50
Webster Thomas (5-0) took nine of the top 10 spots against Greece Olympia/Odyssey (0-5) and claimed the Monroe Country Division II title.
Girls:
Webster Thomas 18, Greece Olympia/Odyssey 45
1. Carolyn Mack Webster Thomas 18:58
2. Sage Altobelli Webster Thomas 19:52
4. Heather Ashton Webster Thomas 20:07
5. Rachel Webster Webster Thomas 20:10
Webster Thomas (2-3) took 12 of the top 13 places against Greece Olympia/Odyssey (0-5).
Girls Tennis
The girl finished a match vs. Webster Schroeder last week. They ended up losing 1-6 the only win was in the 3rd doubles team of Maddie Kelly and Bella Tamburrino. They traveled to HFL Friday and lost 2-5. The winners in this match included our first singles Kitana Uetz and 2nd singles Cassie Spencer. The Girls tennis team started Team sectionals over this past weekend. They lost to Irondequoit 1-6. The lone winners were the 2nd doubles team of Maddie Kelly and Bella Tamburrino.
Boys Soccer
The boys soccer team won a thriller Saturday afternoon. After going down 2-1 at the half the boys rallied to tie the game on a goal from Nick Kacurovski. The game went to overtime and Zack Wolfe scored the “golden goal” and sealed the victory for the Titans. Taner Goren scored the first goal for the Titans. With the win the Boys Soccer team finished the regular season with a record of 8-2-1 and are the Division 2 Champs.
Tuesday evening the Boys host Aquinas for the first round of sectionals. They lost 2-1. Isaac Buckley had the lone goal for the Titans. The boys ended the season 8-3-1.
Here are the links for live streaming these sports.
SOCCER
https://www.youtube.com/varsitymedia
FIELD HOCKEY
SWIMMING
Follow Thomas Athletics on
Twitter & Instagram
@Thomas Athletics
@WebsterThomasAthletics
Enjoy the weekend!
Thomas Principal
670-8001