Paris Elementary School Updates
January 2022
Welcome 2022
While the new year always brings so much hope and new resolutions for many, I am mindful of the continuing challenges we face this school year. COVID is surging across the country and here in Oxford Hills.We must continue to follow our COVID expectations to ensure we do all we can to minimize the spread. Masks must be worn properly at school-students and staff must keep masks covering their mouths and noses. This is becoming more of an issue with our older students. If you have a student who is being noncompliant with this expectation, please let Sam or me know. Please continue to have students maintain 3 foot distancing whenever possible.
There have been recent changes to the SOPS for quarantining which should help to limit so many students being out for extended times. Here are the new guidelines:
The changes to the School Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are as follows:
Isolation and quarantine periods for students and staff are shortened consistent with recently updated guidance from the U.S. CDC, The Maine CDC is aligning its definition of what constitutes a COVID-19 outbreak in schools with the State’s longstanding definition of an outbreak of other infectious diseases in schools.
Effective immediately, the Maine CDC will open an outbreak investigation if a school reports that more than 15 percent of a school population is absent, which is the standard currently utilized to define an outbreak from other infectious diseases, such as influenza. The Maine CDC will no longer consider exposure to COVID-19 in an outdoor setting or on a school bus, where the Federal government requires masks be worn, as a “close contact.”
The Maine CDC is updating its “test to stay” pooled testing program to enable more students to stay in the classroom. Previously, students and staff participating in pooled testing who were exposed to COVID-19 outside of a school setting were required to quarantine and not attend school. If they were exposed to COVID-19 in a school setting and participating in pooled testing, then they were not required to quarantine from school. Now, regardless of where the exposure occurs, if a student or staff member is participating in pooled testing, then they will not be required to quarantine from school.
Consistent with U.S. CDC guidance, the Maine CDC continues to recommend universal indoor masking by students, staff members, faculty, and visitors in K–12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. Local school boards are charged with the responsibility of implementing masking requirements for their school systems.
Staff Changes
- Welcome back to Kailie Balcom who will be taking on the position of K-4 Resource Room teacher
- Sean Johnson will be moving from the day treatment program to take on the position of K-6 Social Skills teacher
- Linda Livak will continue in the position of 5-6 Resource Room teacher
- We are hiring a day treatment teacher and this should be approved at the Jan. 18th board meeting
- We are working on finding coverage for Leah's 5th grade teaching position and will update you once we have a plan
- Emily Page will be working with Kailie Balcom in the Resource Room program
- Lori Brown and Terri Merrill will work with Sean in the Social Skills program
Please be patient as teachers and ed techs work through these changes and figure out schedules and services. The first few days back might be a bit bumpy, but I anticipate we should be on track by next week.
Sam and I will continue to support in the social skills program for the next few days to help with the transition, but after that we are looking forward to getting into classrooms and seeing the great work you are all doing. We will also be staring on observations and evaluations as soon as possible.
Thank you all for your patience and support as we have navigated many changes in our school so far this year. Please be sure to reach out to us if you have concerns or questions. We cannot work on finding solutions to issues if we are not made aware of them.
We look forward to seeing you all tomorrow!
Contact Us At Any Time
Email: l.pacholski@msad17.org
Location: 4 Hathaway Road, South Paris, ME, USA
Phone: 207-743-7802
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pariselementaryschool