Parker Family Update
January 7, 2022
Hello Parker Families,
Best wishes for good health and happiness in the new year.
Stay well,
Jeff
Spirit Week 2022!
Speaking of doing it again, we will bump "Skills Day" to Monday since we got snowed out today. All students and staff are encouraged to dress up and show off their skill or hobby. Basically, we want to see what people do when they're not doing school! This was the winning theme voted on by over 400 students. This was a unique idea that our students pitched and I can't wait to see how it goes!
I will be putting together a slideshow for the students which will run in the cafe on Monday. Be sure to follow me @parkerprincipal on Twitter & Instagram to see more pictures and for ongoing updates on All-Things-Parker!
Students or Staff?
Twinning!
New 8th Graders?
Anything But a Back Pack
Anything But a Back Pack
Anything But a Back Pack
Great Events Coming Up!
Our PTO has been busy planning ongoing opportunities for our students and families to stay entertained this winter. We hope you will consider joining other Parker families as we cheer for these talented student athletes! We are fortunate to have such a great partnership with Umass Lowell and appreciate their support.
- In addition to our usual "Parker Night at the River Hawks" hockey games, we are scheduling opportunities to watch the UML Men's and Women's Basketball teams compete.
Save the dates!
January 14th - River Hawks hockey:
*Get your tickets here: https://offer.fevo.com/umass-lowell-mih-vs-maine-cjztptt-4db2055?fevoUri=umass-lowell-mih-vs-maine-cjztptt-4db2055%2F
January 29th - River Hawks women's basketball
February 12th - River Hawks men's basketball
COVID Update - Winter is Here!
We have learned that many families have been using at home tests for the COVID-19 virus. While we appreciate testing at home with the antigen test, the at home test is not considered a confirmed positive test. Once you have a positive home test, please schedule a laboratory test (PCR) to confirm the positive home test immediately. The PCR test is the most accurate way to diagnosis the COVID-19 virus. It is also important to contact your healthcare provider and school nurse to inform of the positive test.
Testing is critically important to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. If you have symptoms, or have been identified as a close contact, you should be tested, regardless of vaccination status. If you have recovered from COVID-19 within the past 90 days, you should consult with a healthcare provider before testing again.
If the test is positive for COVID-19, the positive individual must isolate away from others in the home. Please inform your healthcare provider and the school nurse of a positive test, as well as notify any close contacts. A close contact is someone who was within 6 feet (while indoors) for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.
In consultation with the Chelmsford Board of Health, these are the recommendations for unvaccinated and vaccinated close contacts:
An unvaccinated close contact should:
- Quarantine and follow the testing and quarantine guidelines for the exposure.
- It is recommended that unvaccinated close contacts test immediately and then again on day 5.
- The rationale for testing immediately, is that in the event of testing positive, the 10- day isolation period can begin sooner rather than later.
- Unvaccinated close contacts must monitor for symptoms for the full 14-days.
- Unvaccinated close contacts may participate in Test and Stay if the exposure to the positive case was in the school setting.
- To be eligible to participate in Test and Stay, consent for Test and Stay must be received by the school a minimum of three days prior to the exposure.
- The link to consent for Test and Stay is: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdfSHazJ4EQvmKRfes5QkMmCdcjOjrqpTlecVxPd6PXMlmLZA/viewform
*Please note: If the exposure to the positive case was in the home or in the community, this is a higher risk exposure. Therefore, the quarantine must be completed at home and the close contact is not eligible to participate in Test and Stay.
In the school setting, vaccinated close contacts:
- Are exempt from testing and quarantine protocols.
- However, we recommend testing, as vaccinated close contacts in some instances are testing positive. Therefore, it is recommended (not required), to test immediately and if negative, to test again on day 3, 4 or 5.
- Vaccinated close contacts must wear a mask until a negative test is received.
- It is recommended that vaccinated close contacts monitor for symptoms for the full 14-days.
Nationwide, and in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, there has recently been an increase in the number of positive cases. However, the good news, is that due to the high vaccination rates, the symptoms experienced in most cases have been relatively mild. We have seen that same trend in our school community as well.
While we have seen an increase in cases in our school population, the vast majority of the positive cases have been traced back to exposures in the home or at an event outside of school. Understandably, we are seeing many signs of “COVID FATIGUE”- however, it is imperative to continue the practices that we know will stop the spread of COVID-19. We ask for your help promote the following mitigation strategies:
- STAY HOME IF NOT FEELING WELL
- If experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, test immediately and isolate until results are back
- If identified as a close contact, please follow the testing and quarantine protocols
- Wear a mask while indoors (masks should fit snugly around the nose and mouth)
- Frequently wash hands with soap and water and/or use hand sanitizer.
- When feasible, maintain physical distance from others.
Thank you for helping to stop the spread of COVID 19!
COVID Absences - Student Work Expectations
The health and well-being of our students is our top priority. We understand that our students may not feel well enough to focus on school work while they are absent. Students are able to make up missed work when they return to school, whether the absences are COVID related or not. We encourage teachers to use their discretion and work with students to determine what work needs to be completed, and to develop a reasonable timeline.
In many cases, students are required to be out of school due to being considered a close-contact and do not have any related health issues. Please encourage your child(ren) to check in regularly for assignments and to complete work when they are able. Again, this only applies for students who are home and feel well enough to complete assignments and dedicate time to their school work.
All students are able to make up work when they return, however, those who are well enough should work to keep up while they are out. This will make transitioning back into the classroom much easier and will help our students continue to grow and develop in a positive manner.
Our teachers work hard to keep their Google Classroom sites current and/or post work for students to complete when they are absent for several days. Together, we can navigate through these challenging times and ensure that all students are receiving the high-quality education that they deserve.
"Paper" Online Tutoring Support
The district has partnered with "Paper," a 24/7 online tutoring program that is free for all CPS students! This service is staffed with trained, academic experts who will be available anytime to help our students succeed. Students can simply log into Clever on their Chromebook and click the Paper icon for support.
I encourage you and your child to take advantage of this great opportunity!
Want to learn more about Paper? Check out this brief promo video or sign up for a parent information session.
Important Dates
- Tuesday, January 11, 2022: Early Dismissal at 11:10
- Monday, January 17, 2022: No School-Martin Luther King Day
- Wednesday, February 9, 2022: Early Dismissal at 11:10
- February 21 - 25: February Vacation
Parker Middle School
Email: parksj@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: https://parker.chelmsfordschools.org/
Location: 75 Graniteville Road, Chelmsford, MA, USA
Phone: 978-251-5133
Twitter: @parkerprincipal