CVSD Update
October 7, 2021
Reminder- No School for students on October 8 and 11
Superintendent's Message
Hello CVSD Families and Community,
As we complete the first week of October and approach peak leaf season, I’d like to share some updates on the several searches that we have in place, as well as a description of the testing programs that the Agency of Education is unveiling to help schools mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and decrease the number of students who need to quarantine when a positive case arises in the schools.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
First, we have selected two separate organizations to assist the district in completing the Equity Audit and the search and hiring process for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director. There are several procedural steps that still must occur before we are able to share the names of the groups who will help our district with these equity goals. Our expectation is that these steps should be completed by the end of next week. Once that takes place, we can share the names of the organizations. Both the equity audit and the DEI Director search will further the implementation of our district’s and school board’s Equity Policy. To see updates as they become available on these two items, please visit our CVSD Diversity, Equity & Inclusion site.
COVID Testing Programs for Vermont Schools
Second, the Vermont Agency of Education has expanded the testing options at the school level to decrease the number of days that students would have to quarantine should they be considered a close contact of a person with a positive test result. This will also reduce the amount of the time and the impact of contact tracing on school personnel. The state is now proposing four types of testing in schools: Surveillance, Test-to-Stay, PCR test-at-school, and PCR test-at-home. I will speak of Test-to-Stay below since the Agency of Education is supporting its implementation state-wide. If you would like more information on each, please click the link for the memo above or view this infographic. Each of these measures will require the permission of a parent or caregiver for the school to implement.
The Test-to-Stay program will be used when there is a positive case for which a student or students are determined to be close contacts. Instead of quarantining immediately like before, students will come to school each day and take a rapid antigen test upon arriving. If the students test negative, they are able to stay at school. They should, however, continue to follow quarantining protocols when not in the school building. If the student tests positive, they will need to go home and begin their isolation timeframe. The Test-to-Stay option is where we will initially focus our attention.
Test to stay will require that the district and each school create a set of logistics that work for each school’s size, architecture, access to personnel, and other variables. We are working with our schools to develop those logistics and hope to have that completed over the next few weeks. That way, when we do have access to the testing format and materials, we will be able to share the implementation process, including how families can provide permission, with each school’s community.
Vaccine Verification
One final helpful measure that the state provided to help schools with contact tracing that was announced this week is the ability of school nurses to review a student vaccine record for a COVID-19 vaccination. By giving school nurses access to this record, they can make the determination if a student will need to quarantine. Currently, the CDC and the VT DOH do not require persons with a COVID-19 vaccination to quarantine unless they are experiencing symptoms. This, too, will help our nurses and our principals quickly determine who from the school will need to quarantine when a positive case arises. Families no longer need to provide vaccine information to the school for eligible students.
Have a wonderful day and enjoy the long weekend!
~ Rene
Student Vaccine Status - Change in Protocol
At this week's press conference, it was announced that our school nurses would now have access to the state's immunization registry, which will allow them to directly check the COVID-19 vaccination status of students in our schools. Our dedicated nurses will now gather that information in order to assist with contact tracing.
It is no longer necessary for families to directly share vaccine information with the schools. Thank you again to those who responded.
Social Media Challenges
You may have heard about recent challenges on social media. There are now monthly challenges on TikTok.These involve damage to school property, harmful actions against school staff, and more. While the TikTok challenges may seem like innocent pranks to students, they have serious consequences. Please talk to your children and help us send a message to students about respecting and taking care of our schools and one another.
Resources for Families:
- Parenting Book and/or Instagram account: Raising Digital Leaders "Technology is not going away any time soon; in fact, our reliance on technology is greater than it ever has been." Author Jennifer Casa-Todd steps away from fear-mongering and offers actionable strategies that empower families to raise confident, kind, and capable leaders in online spaces.
- Explore this Common Sense Media resource for more information about TikTok
A reminder: The COPPA rule protects student private information. In order to comply with the law, companies and websites, including social media sites, are required to limit accounts to those age 13 and older. That's why they ask for birth dates when creating accounts. Children younger than 13 should only create online accounts with their parent/caregiver's knowledge and consent.
Digital Citizenship Week is October 18-22
From Common Sense:
We care about everyone’s privacy. Students learn how to protect personal information and gain a deeper understanding of their data privacy rights so they can advocate for themselves and others.
We will share more information as we get underway. Here are some resources for families related to Online Privacy and Security from Common Sense.
If you are not familiar with Common Sense Media, it's a fabulous resource for families on all topics related to technology in the lives of our children. (reviews, forums, and much more!)
Budget Season Gets Underway This Month
We invite all members of the CVSD community to join us and engage in the budget development process. There are a number of ways in which the larger community can get involved:
- Starting on October 21 and through October 31, we'll open up a Thoughtexchange to gather ideas and input online.
- On October 27th, there will be a Virtual Community Budget Forum. Details and meeting information will be provided beforehand and posted on our website.
- And beginning in early November, the community is welcome to attend (virtually or in-person) Board meetings at which presentations about the budget are shared. We'll be updating the Budget page of the website to share the links, dates, and more in the coming weeks.
Mark your calendars. Join the conversation. We hope to see you and hear your voice.
CVSD Facilities Update
Maria is a Lifechanger
Wow!
Yes, we're reminding you about Powerschool again!
PowerSchool - Creating Parent Accounts AND Updating Forms
We'd like to thank everyone again who has created their PowerSchool Parent Portal account. Unfortunately, we are still not seeing a substantial completion rate on the forms.
- Some folks created their account, but didn't fill out the forms yet. Log in and look on the left for the Forms link. Please fill out all of the forms! It doesn't take long; you know the information needed about your child(ren).
- If you haven't created your portal account yet, please do and then complete the forms.
It is very important that we have the most current and up-to-date information to support your child and reach you. Thank you for your help. Contact your school if you need assistance with this process.
Recent COVID FAQs From Families
A: If your child is sick with ANY symptoms, please do not send them to school. In order to return to school, your child will need a PCR test before returning to school. While antigen tests are quick and convenient, there is a range of reliability and are not accepted at this time to clear a child with symptoms to return to school. Please let your school nurse know that your child is being tested and let them know when you get your results.
Q: What are the symptoms that I need to have my child tested for?
A: Fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose, loss of smell/taste, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, muscle aches, and/or headache
Q: My child is fully vaccinated, do they still need a test?
A: Yes, even if your child is fully vaccinated, they need to get a PCR test if they are experiencing COVID symptoms. They need to stay home until they get their negative PCR results.
Q: Where can I go to get a PCR test?
A: You can get a test by calling your child's pediatrician or scheduling through the Vermont Department of Health. Most PCR tests take about 48 hours to get results when done by the Department of Health. Tests done at Fanny Allen (ordered by your pediatrician) can come back quicker but it may take longer for you to get an appointment.
Please contact your school nurse if you have any questions or need help. See the resources below for additional information.
Updated for 2021-2022!
COVID Information & Resources
CVSD's COVID-19 Updates
Champlain Valley School District
Reach out using any of the methods below or use this form to share a question.
Email: cvsdinformation@cvsdvt.org
Website: https://www.cvsdvt.org/
Location: 5420 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, VT, USA
Phone: (802) 383-1234
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChamplainValleySchoolDistrict
Twitter: @cvsdvt