Jaguar Tracks
January 18th
Dear JE families,
As shared in my last communication, we certainly had a spike in COVID cases right after our winter holidays. We are hopeful that in the near future, the cases decrease! Thank you for your continued communication with us and for being so mindful of our community. We will continue to have pooled testing on Wednesdays.
In the winter months, we look forward to allowing students to play in the snow on nice days! When we have outdoor recess, students will have the option to play in the snow (on non-icy days) or on the hardtop. Students can be on the snow if they are dressed appropriately with snow boots and snow pants.
Enjoy some fun pictures below that capture mindsets and words to live by in this new year!
Thank you all!
Caitlin
Attendance Matters!
We certainly understand that there is a potential increase in absences due to illness this year due to Covid. We appreciate your vigilance and support in helping to keep everyone safe. We also have seen an increase in unexcused absences, especially around extended vacations. We are required to share your children's' absences and tardy data. You will be receiving a letter in the coming weeks if your child has more than 5 unexcused absences and we are requesting communication on how we can work together to make sure your child is attending school regularly. It's important that we set your children up for success, especially as the past few years have been unpredictable, and attending school regularly is essential to student success. Please reach out with any questions.
Reporting Absences
RPS Health Update from the District
COVID 19 Guidance
What are the recent COVID-19 related trends in our schools?
This document shared at our 12/16 School Committee meeting outlines the week-by-week case counts in our schools, student/staff vaccination data, and in-school transmission counts. Also, the most recent COVID-19 related data can be found on our dashboard.
What if I or my child test positive for COVID-19?
According to updated guidance from CDC and MADPH, anyone testing positive for COVID-19 should isolate for 5 days. If asymptomatic on day #5 from a positive test, students may return to school but should wear a mask around others for an additional 5 days.
What if I am or my family are exposed to someone with COVID-19?
If you are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic, you do not need to quarantine. If you are within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes inside with an infectious individual and are unvaccinated, develop symptoms, especially fever, muscle aches, shortness of breath or loss of taste and smell, you should get a PCR test. If you are a close contact (not fully vaccinated), you should quarantine per the DPH guidance. *please note that quarantine guidance for K-12 schools has changed. Any student who is a close contact should quarantine for 5 days from exposure. If they remain asymptomatic, they may return to school and regular activities on day #6. They must continue to wear a mask around others for 5 more days and monitor for symptoms for 10 days from exposure. Any in school close contacts may “test and stay”.
What symptoms should I be looking for?
Here is a health screening with specific symptoms.
Where can I get a test?
Register here for Project Beacon, free COVID testing.
DPH information about testing
What are the testing programs being used by RPS? How do I sign up?
Please consent here for our testing program. We are expanding our pooled testing program and will offer pooled testing in all schools on a weekly basis. Please sign up here if interested in pooled testing. Any unvaccinated in school close contacts may test and stay for 5 days from exposure date. Anyone with symptoms should stay home and get a PCR test, however students who develop COVID symptoms at school can participate in symptomatic testing if assessed by the school nurse.
*Individuals who have tested positive within the past 90 days are exempt from quarantine and should not participate in pooled testing
What is the travel guidance?
Here is CDC travel guidance. We respectfully ask that families consider the health and safety of all of our students and staff and follow the travel guidance put in place by the CDC.
Where can my child get a vaccine?
Here is a link to local vaccination site availability, or sign up for our next Reading Public Schools vaccination clinic here (January 7th at Coolidge).
From the Desk of the PTO
PTO NEWS!
We hope you all had a great weekend.
We have a few important dates to share.
Our next PTO General meeting is Wednesday February 9th 7-8pm. We will send out a zoom link before the meeting.
We are planning to bring back the Annual Joshua Eaton Spelling Bee this year on March 25. More details will follow.
Lastly, we’d like to send a HUGE thank you to the PTO Enrichment coordinators, Laura Patterson and Jessica Rogers, and all of the grade level volunteers who have been planning programs throughout the year to complement the curriculum. This is where the bulk of the PTO budget is allocated and programs include author visits, field trips, speakers, and hands on activities. The coordinators have been working hard to make as many of these fun activities happen as possible. Thank you so much!
Have a great week
Meredith and Natalie