HRSD HIGHLIGHTS
September 17, 2021
Covid-19 Testing in Schools
What's the latest buzz about pooled testing? DESE is now calling pooled testing "student safety checks", which also includes symptomatic testing and "test and stay". The slide deck from Stephanie Faas' presentation on State Covid Testing program is now online. Look towards the bottom of the page: https://www.hr-k12.org/covid-19-update-b6d14844
Direct link is here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mrt-aaOpf2tYsYoTi5i2aJwMjeNnu3T8/view
ATD school committee approved pooled testing at its last school committee meeting. We'd really like your input on whether you would consent to having your unvaccinated student participate in weekly Covid-19 testing before the other school committees proceed further. Ideally, we'd like to see 80% of unvaccinated students participate, therefore it is important that everyone (including ATD) fill out this survey. This quick survey is voluntary, anonymous and confidential and by no means is NOT a permission slip. If and when we proceed with any testing option, information and permission slips will be sent home. Thank you!
WEEKLY COVID UPDATES
Three weeks down! We've had another great week in HRSD! It is so wonderful to see children in classrooms, laughter at recess, and excitement at being together as a school community despite masking and social distancing.
Here are the highlights of the relevant information from the state, as of September 16, 2021:
While the state has seen a slight decrease in positivity rates by .16%, the Hampshire County positivity rate over the last 14 days has increased by .4%.
Case counts over the past 14 days in our five communities have slightly decreased with Westhampton having the greatest decrease by 1.73%. Southampton had 22 cases over the last 14 days (2 less than last week); all other towns in the district had fewer than 5.
While our surrounding towns show decreases as well, it is important to note that Amherst has seen an increase from .91% positivity rate to 2.64%., which is higher than the state's 2.35% rate.
NOTES:
1. The first six communities represent our districts and our high school tuition students.
Northampton and Amherst are of particular interest given their size in the County and their
importance as school and work destinations. Easthampton and Westfield are included due
to their geographic proximity.
2. * cells with fewer than five cells have been suppressed
3. 66% of Hampshire County residents have been administered at least one vaccination dose
for Covid-19 as of 9.16.2021
COVID-19 CASES BY AGE GROUP IN MA:
All age groups listed below have seen an increase (.8-.96%) over the past week.
Case Rate per 100k during last 14 days/ Percent case rate in MA
0-4 yrs: 326.6/ 8.75%
5-9 yrs: 445.2/ 11.98%
10-14 yrs: 382.8/ 10.30%
15-19 yrs: 399.9/ 10.76%
20-29 yrs: 523.7/ 14.09%
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BY SCHOOL:
Chesterfield-Goshen:
We currently do not have any confirmed cases within the New Hingham School community.
Williamsburg:
We currently do not have any confirmed cases within the Anne T. Dunphy School community.
Southampton:
This week we communicated about 2 confirmed positive cases in the Norris School Community. One case resulted in 2 close contacts being identified. Of these 2 contacts, 1 has tested positive, and the other continues to quarantine appropriately. The second case resulted in 5 close contacts being identified. All close contacts remain quarantined appropriately, and awaiting clearance from BOH.
Westhampton:
We currently do not have any confirmed cases within the Westhampton Elementary School community.
Hampshire Regional:
This week we had two confirmed positive cases in the HRHS community. No close contacts were identified.
OTHER INTERESTING TIDBITS TO KEEP YOU IN THE LOOP
Job Openings
The district has several job openings that are still available: paraprofessionals, .8 School Adjustment Counselor, lunch monitors and substitute teachers. If these openings appeal to you or if you know of someone that would be a perfect fit for our district, please apply! More info can be found on our district website.
FREE COVID-19 VACCINE! The Mobile Clinic is coming to town!
Hampshire Regional Middle High School
19 Stage Road Westhampton, MA
Thursday, September 30th
4:00pm-6:00pm
Walk-up or pre-register to save time here
https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/northampton
- Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be available
- The Pfizer-BioNTech & Moderna vaccines are given in two doses.
- We will give you your second dose at least 21 days after your first dose.
- All people 12 and older are eligible for Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
- Johnson & Johnson vaccine is one time, one shot
- This is open to EVERYONE! (Staff, students 12 and older, families, community members)
If you do have an ID and/or an insurance card, please bring it to your appointment.
*You will be able to get your vaccine even if you do not have an ID or insurance.*
Daily Self-Checks
Daily self-checks continue to be an important mitigation strategy for our district. Prior to coming to school or work, students, caregivers and employees should check themselves for COVID-like symptoms. Anyone presenting with symptoms should follow testing protocols.
Symptoms & When to Test:
COVID-19 SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:
Fever (100.0 degrees F or higher), chills, or shaking
Shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
New loss of taste or smell
Muscle or body aches
Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
Sore throat when in combination with other symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when in combination with other symptoms
Headache when in combination with other symptoms
Fatigue when in combination with other symptoms
Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms
*Unvaccinated individuals and any close contact experiencing these symptoms must follow testing & quarantine protocols.
*Vaccinated individuals who are not close contacts experiencing the symptoms IN BOLD must follow testing & quarantine protocols. We encourage these individuals to seek clinical guidance to assess the need for PCR testing if you have ANY other symptoms on the list.
We will only be accepting PCR testing for proof of a negative result for symptomatic individuals. If a negative antigen test is produced- the individual should continue to quarantine and seek PCR test. Home tests should also not be utilized when a negative test is required.
*Communicating with your school nurse is very important. Please inform your school nurse if symptoms present, you have been deemed a close contact, or test positive. It allows us to provide appropriate guidance and start contract tracing procedures as soon as possible.
Travel
There are no travel restrictions at this time. Please exercise caution in traveling and vigilance in monitoring for symptoms upon your return, especially if you have traveled to a higher risk area. Please be mindful that not everyone is vaccinated or eligible to be vaccinated. We'd like to work together to help ensure the safety and well-being of all members of our district community.
For more information on testing and quarantine surrounding travel, Massachusetts Dept of Public Health recommends following CDC guidance.