HRSD HIGHLIGHTS
December 10, 2021
DISTRICT TIDBITS TO KEEP YOU IN THE LOOP
Today is district-wide Flannel Friday! We had lockdowns this week in most schools, and once again, staff and students did a great job of taking the drills seriously and following all procedures. Every school hopes they never have to initiate a real lockdown but it's imperative that all students, regardless of how young they are, know what to do if a lockdown is ever initiated due to a potential threat.
I've been most fortunate to visit classrooms in every school and observe our great teachers in action! I've been very impressed with the positivity, encouragement and warm relationships teachers and staff have with students, not to mention the depth of content taught and higher analytical thinking questions asked. I'm working closely with principals to define best instructional practices, and this month's focus has been on checking for comprehension. Thank you for welcoming me into your rooms.
Upcoming dates to keep in mind for the next two weeks:
- December 13: Five District Agreement Working Group 5-7pm (zoom)
- December 14: WES School Committee 6pm
- December 15: ATD School Committee 5pm
- December 16: NHRES Capital Improvement Plan 5pm (zoom)
- December 20: ATD Para negotiations 5pm (zoom)
- December 21: WES negotiations (possible date; details still being worked out)
HRHS revision to mandatory vaccination/ testing policy: staff who get vaccinated now are no longer required to submit a liability waiver.
Students who are thinking of attending college in the fall need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for federal, state, and local financial aid. Winter break can be a good time to finish the FAFSA. For more info, visit www.mass.gov/financialaid.
COVID TESTING UPDATES:
Test & Stay
Please note, that ONLY students that are determined to be close contacts AND were exposed at school can participate in the test & stay program. Students participating in the test & stay program who remain asymptomatic may be in school with a negative test result each day. These students should quarantine on weekends, holidays, or extended breaks.
The duration of the Test and Stay program is 7 days from the last date of exposure. Some of these days could be non-school days (i.e., weekends or holidays). If the 7th day falls over an extended break (e.g., long weekend, vacation), the individual must be tested on the morning of their return to school so long as the first day back is within 10 days of the date of exposure.
To date, 48 students have been able to access this program district-wide!
Weekly COVID Safety Checks
Anne T Dunphy has completed 4 weeks of COVID safety checks, and has not had any positive pools thus far!
Westhampton has also completed 4 weeks of COVID safety checks, and one positive case was identified this week.
Norris just completed its second week of COVID safety checks. Two positives were identified the first week, and we had no positive pools this week!
Please note, if we learn of a positive pool during the school day, individuals in that pool will be tested immediately to identify and isolate the positive individual(s). You will only be notified in the event that your student has tested positive. If we learn of a positive pool after school hours, you will be notified to bring your student in for reflex testing the next school day. Reflex testing for a positive safety check group will require the parent/guardian to drive their child to school for testing and wait for the results. This will be done outside in the school parking lot. The result takes approximately 15 minutes to process, and individuals will remain in their vehicles while waiting for the results.
NEW! FREE COVID TESTING SITE IN EASTHAMPTON
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WgmPGJJ9NRTl_UFuf1US9T08X-MwwbyE/view?usp=sharing
COVID-19 VACCINES
Following newly updated recommendations and guidance from the CDC, the MA DPH today announced that all adolescents ages 16 and 17 are able get their Pfizer COVID booster if they are at least 6 months post their initial Pfizer vaccination series.
The DPH 'Vax bus' and Northampton Health Dept are hosting various upcoming clinics in Western MA if you are looking for a 1st, 2nd, or booster appt for yourself or your child(ren). Please check out the links below for local appointments.
https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/yankeeline
https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/northampton
For pediatric doses, you can also check in with your pediatrician’s office to see if they are vaccinating their patients.
We do not have any other clinics confirmed in the district at this time, but we will communicate with all if that changes.
If your child has recently received their 2nd dose, it is important to remember that individuals are not considered fully vaccinated until 2 weeks after the 2nd dose. Therefore, it is important for those recently vaccinated to remain vigilant with mask wearing, social distancing, hand hygiene, and staying home/testing when not feeling well.
HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE VACCINATED IN EACH GRADE IN EACH SCHOOL?
HRHS
Grade 7: 86 students, 69.35%
Grade 8: 90 students, 68.70 %
Grade 9: 69 students, 66.99%
Grade 10: 74 students, 76.29%
Grade 11: 81 students, 81.82%
Grade 12+: 99 students, 77.34%
TOTAL= 499 students, 73.17%
Below you will find the number of elementary school students in each grade with 1 or 2 doses of COVID vaccine. This is how we will report this data through the month of December. In January 2022, we will begin to report the number of students fully vaccinated by grade with the corresponding percentage.
Students are not considered “fully vaccinated” until 2 weeks after their 2nd dose.
COVID-19 AND FLU VACCINATION RESOURCES:
- Webpage about vaccinations for children ages 5-11: Parents are encouraged to contact their health care provider for an appointment or visit VaxFinder.mass.gov.
- Booster Eligibility Graphic and COVID-19 booster frequently asked questions for information about boosters.
- Reorganized “Trust the Facts, Get the Vax” website and resources
- Flu shot facts
DISTRICT & COMMUNITY COVID NUMBERS IN REVIEW:
Numbers are significantly on the rise throughout the state and Hampshire County. Although Southampton's case counts over the past 14 days have increased from 32 to 59, our other communities remain below 5. Local community numbers are increasing rapidly- Amherst rate doubled last week and Westfield now has over 400 cases. The state case count over the last 14 days has increased by almost 50%. I cannot stress enough the need for thoughtful behavior of everyone, even if vaxed.
While students want a return to normalcy, sleepovers can be dangerous. Please exercise good judgment.
For additional town data pertaining to Covid-19, please use the link below:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BY SCHOOL:
Chesterfield-Goshen:
We had three confirmed positive cases in the New Hingham Regional School community this week, and all of these individuals remain isolated at this time. One of these individuals was not in school while infectious, one individual had six close contacts identified, and one individual had two close contacts identified. All close contacts are currently participating in the test & stay program. The two individuals that were still isolated last week have been released, and the close contact that was still quarantined has completed quarantine appropriately.
Williamsburg:
We did not have any new confirmed positive cases in the Anne T. Dunphy School community.
Southampton:
We had three new confirmed positive cases in the Norris School community this week, and one of these individuals remains isolated at this time. None of these cases had any close contacts that need to follow testing & quarantine protocols. Three positive individuals from last week remain isolated at this time. All close contacts from last week have either completed the test & stay program remaining negative throughout, or completed quarantine appropriately and have been cleared by the BOH contact tracer.
Westhampton:
We had one confirmed positive case in the Westhampton Elementary School community this week who remains isolated at this time. Two close contacts were identified, and both are currently participating in the test & stay program. One positive individual from last week remains isolated, and the other has been released by the BOH contact tracer. One of these cases also had one close contact that remains quarantined appropriately.
Hampshire Regional:
We had six confirmed positive cases in the HRHS community this week, and all of these individuals remain isolated at this time. Two of these individuals did not have any close contacts that needed to follow testing & quarantine protocols. Four of these individuals each had one close contact that needs to follow testing & quarantine protocols, for a total of four close contacts between cases. Two of those individuals participated in the test & stay program and remained negative throughout. The other two individuals remain quarantined appropriately at this time. All positive individuals that were isolated last week have been released by the BOH contact tracer.
From Meekins Library in Williamsburg
Williamsburg students and families, we want to hear from YOU!
Meekins Library staff and trustees are working on their next 5-Year Strategic Plan, and whether you visit every week or have never entered the library, we want your feedback!
Please fill out our anonymous survey and let us know what services and programs you currently value (or don't) and what you think would improve library services in the future. You may be surprised at how much we offer today. The results will help inform library plans and priorities going forward.
This survey will be available through December 13, takes about 10 minutes to complete, and can be done digitally or on paper.
You can:
- fill out the survey online,
- print and drop off a PDF,
- or pick up a paper copy at the library or Town Offices.
Paper surveys can be returned to Meekins Library or the Town Offices.
Thank you for your participation. EVERY voice counts!