As we begin Semester 2 of the 2021-22 school year, I want to echo the superintendent's sentiments with sincere gratitude for the support and empathy provided to our community throughout this challenging stretch of time with the increase in COVID-19 cases. We will continue our mitigation strategies that include wearing masks, Regular Covid Safety Checks during long block on Thursdays, and soon to be implemented, the at home antigen tests. We have already seen a decrease in cases from the surge earlier this month.

I hope you all enjoyed a a relaxing day yesterday watching the snow and are successfully digging out this morning.

Have a great week Nashoba and Stay Healthy!

Best,

Dr. Kathleen Boynton, principal

The at-home testing option will begin no later than the week of February 7, 2022. In addition to this new at-home antigen test option, we will continue with routine COVID safety checks and symptomatic testing every week. As part of this shift in our program, we will discontinue the Test and Stay program and contact tracing for in-school close contacts. We will continue symptomatic testing in school when an individual presents with symptoms.

We will continue our email notification procedures when there is a positive case identified. This strategy goes beyond previous close contact strategies and has proven effective in recent weeks. At the high school level the strategy did not prove effective and only made the case that every individual at the high school should consider themselves a close contact every day.

Therefore, we will not continue email notification at the high school level.

This new at-home testing opportunity is voluntary and those who opt-in will receive tests. We strongly encourage you to participate and fill out the form by the end of January to opt-in. If you have questions, please contact your school nurse.

COVID-19 Testing Programs in our Schools:

• To receive your free at-home antigen test kit please click this link and complete the Opt In Form. Please complete a separate form for each child.

• Routine COVID Safety Checks every week and Symptomatic Testing - if you have not signed up click here: consent

Overview: At-Home Rapid Testing Program

• About the Test: iHealth is a 15-minute at-home FDA-approved rapid antigen test
• Opt-In: To participate, you must opt in by completing the Opt In Form. By opting in, you will agree to review the training materials for test administration, report positive test results to your student’s school nurse, and administer the tests according to Nashoba guidelines.
• Weekly: Every two weeks you will receive an iHealth at-home rapid test kit. Each kit contains two individual tests. Your student will administer one test the morning of their designated day as designated below:
• Nashoba Regional High School - Sundays

The schedule for weekly Covid safety checks (PCR) will continue as currently designed.

• Reporting Positive Test Results: If your student tests positive on an at-home antigen test, you will inform their school of the positive result to the school nurse. The school will keep the results confidential and will not make individual results public. In addition, it is strongly recommended that you inform your healthcare professional of the positive result.
• Easy, Free, and Flexible: This test is administered at home (not at school), reducing the burden on school staff and time to administer tests and increasing a family’s flexibility to do testing in the home for free.

How do I administer the test?

• Click here for a full “how to” written guide in various languages
• Click here for a video of an individual self-testing

How do I submit results?

• Submit Results: You must submit positive test results to your student’s school nurse.
• Confidentiality: Positive test results are shared with your school district for informational purposes only. Individual results will remain confidential, and they will never be made public.

Hello Nashoba families and staff,

We hope everyone made it safely through January! Cheers to more hours of daylight and heading towards more sunshine!

COVID Safety checks are now taking place on Thursdays during the long block lunch period.

If you have tested positive for COVID within the past 90 days, please refrain from testing, as many people continue to test positive for weeks after a positive diagnosis.

Per state recommendations, "If you were infected with COVID-19 in the prior 90 days, testing is not recommended unless you have symptoms."

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-isolation-and-quarantine-guidance-for-the-general-public

Thank you and wishing you all well!

Thank you to the many families and staff who have shown us support during the surge. We greatly appreciate it.

Sarah DelConte Cosentino

Courtney Letourneau

Sarah DelConte Cosentino BSN, RN, NCSN

<she, her, hers>

School Nurse

Nashoba Regional High School

978-779-2257 ext 3112

nurse fax line 978-965-3968

sdelcontecosentino@nrsd.net

The broadcast/journalism team is starting a new segment called the "Teacher Feature" where we will celebrate the awesome teachers in our district. If your child has a teacher (at any school) who is doing something cool in the classroom, organizing enrichment activities, giving back to the community, or just being an all around great person, please let us know.

Scan the QR code in the flyer below to give us the teacher's name, school, and small blurb. We will then get in touch with the teacher to ask permission to feature them on our new segment.

Check out this week's broadcast HERE and the link to the Regional HERE

The Midland Wachusett League met to re-evaluate the spectator limitations that were put in place at the beginning of January due to the surge of COVID-19 cases.

The League has voted that effective January 28, 2022, all spectator restrictions for basketball, gymnastics, hockey, and wrestling competitions are lifted. The spectator policy for swimming and indoor track league events remain status quo.

Individual schools may still have restrictions based on local rules. With that being said, Nashoba Regional School District will lift spectator restrictions as of Sunday, January 30, 2022.

All student-athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators must wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose at all times.

We will continue to monitor the health metrics and make any adjustments needed. We thank you in advance for your support and we look forward to seeing our students packing the stands!

The Basketball Tournament has been rescheduled to Saturday February 5, 2022 due to the snowstorm.

GO NASHOBA!

Ms. Tania Rich, Athletic Director

Dr. Kathleen Boynton, Principal