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Letter to families on February 18, 2021 from Superintendent Willard about continuation of in-person/hybrid learning for February 22-26, 2021, and important updates to the Hampden County positivity rate, revision to our MOA, and about a positive case of COVID-19 in our school community.
Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians,
I hope you are all enjoying the February Vacation! I am pleased to let you know that we will be continuing with in-person learning/hybrid for the upcoming week of school (February 22-26, 2021) for ALL students. Students enrolled in the STGRSD online full remote learning, will remain fully remote through the end of the school year.
Please see below for important updates to the Hampden County positivity rate, revision to our MOA, and about a positive case of COVID-19 in our school community.
Hampden County % Positivity Rate
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health COVID-19 County-Level Data Reporting for February 17, 2021 identified the Hampden County Percent Positivity Rate as 4.86%. This drop below the 5% threshold means that we are no longer in the exclusionary period identified in item 3 of the Memorandum of Agreement COVID-19 School/District Closure Metrics 2.0. This, coupled with the low incident rate of COVID-19 in our in-person/hybrid population, means that even if we have new positive cases in our in-person/hybrid population, our schools can remain open for in-person/hybrid learning.
Revised MOA Affecting Closing Metrics
At Tuesday’s School Committee Meeting, the Memorandum of Agreement with the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Education Association (teacher’s union) was approved that modifies the Memorandum of Agreement COVID-19 School/District Closure Metrics 2.0 to define “incident” for COVID-19 cases in a school as someone who has been in the building during their “infectious period”. This means that if the District is in the exclusionary period (item #3 in the MOA), a COVID-19 positive for someone who has not been in the buildings will not result in automatic school or program closure.
Copies of both the old and new MOAs are available on the District website:
https://www.stgrsd.org/about_s_t_g_r_s_d/c_o_v_i_d-19
COVID-19 Positive Case at Southwick Regional School (7-12)
We have been notified that one person in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community has tested positive for COVID-19. This case is unrelated to any other cases that we have previously reported and this person was not in the building during their “infectious period”.
As always, we thank you for your continued vigilance and adherence to the COVID-19 prevention protocols which help protect our community members and keep our school buildings open for student learning: wear a mask, practice social distancing, wash your hands often and stay home if you are sick.
We are in this together.
Enjoy the rest of the week. I look forward to seeing everyone on Monday!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on February 12, 2021 from Superintendent Willard about travel during winter vacation.
Dear STGRSD Staff and Families,
As we conclude our first week of in-person learning for all students enrolled in the STGRSD Hybrid Learning Continuum, I want to express to all of you how exciting it was for our students to be back in the buildings. Their enthusiasm and energy reminds us all why we are in education!
Approaching the upcoming winter vacation next week, we understand that many staff and families have travel plans. In our efforts to maintain in-person learning, I would just like to remind you that anyone who travels must adhere to the Massachusetts COVID-19 Travel Order that went into effect on August 1, 2020. The Massachusetts COVID-19 Travel Order can be found: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order .
Additionally, we are requesting any families traveling to international destinations to adhere to the CDC COVID-19 Travel Recommendations for International Travelers: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html .
If you have any questions, or your child will be unable to return to school due to travel quarantine, please contact your building principal. Regardless of your plans for winter break, I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable time. Please remember that daily meal service will not be available but we will be offering the weekly meal kit for pick up on Wednesday, February 17, 2021.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on February 11, 2021 from School Nutrition regarding meal distribution schedules.
Dear STGRSD Families,
Please read below for important updates from the School Nutrition Department regarding meal service during vacation week and a schedule change for "Weekly Meal Kit" pick-up.
Weekly Meal Kits Are Available During Vacation Week
During the week of February 15-19, 2021, schools will be closed for winter vacation but the District will continue the “Weekly Meal Kit” distribution.
Weekly Meal Kits will be available for pick-up:
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
at Southwick Regional School (high school)
from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Pre-order your kit by 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 12, 2021 by clicking the link below:
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=7J1o1m5JbkiK5ut2K-7JN2gSmLjJ1PBIsC8U2GQPOVRUQkhOTUdYMlBTWVNFOEk1UjdGWEFTNTZTRC4u
Curbside Meal Service Unavailable During Vacation Week
Daily curbside meal service will be unavailable from February 15, 2021-February 19, 2021, but will resume on February 22, 2021
Schedule Change for “Weekly Meal Kits”
Effective immediately, the “Weekly Meal Kit” pick-up day is being changed to Wednesday’s. The pick-up location and times will remain the same: Southwick Regional School (high school) 4:30 p.m. -5:30 p.m.. Pre-orders are still due at 10:00 a.m. the Friday prior to pick-up. This schedule change will enable our School Nutrition Department to meet the needs of all of our STGRSD community members.
If you have any questions, please contact the School Nutrition Department.
Thank you,
Southwick-Tolland-Granville
Regional School District
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Letter to families on February 8, 2021 from Superintendent Willard regarding the possibility of remote learning on February 9, if road conditions prevent in-person learning.
Dear Families,
Looking ahead to tomorrow and the likelihood of snow, I would like to inform you that, if tomorrow’s weather results in road conditions that prevent us from holding school in-person, we may have a full remote day for all students. This option for a remote day is feasible because staff have the opportunity to plan ahead of time and buildings may be open for them should they choose to work from their classrooms.
A decision has not yet been made and I will notify families if an in-person learning day is not possible.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on February 5, 2021 from Superintendent Willard regarding a planned return to in-person/hybrid learning for all students beginning February 8, 2021.
Dear STGRSD Students and Parents/Guardians,
The District Safety Committee met today to review COVID-19 data in our community and discussed the possibility of reopening our schools for in-person learning for the coming week. After thorough review of the data, I am pleased to notify you that ALL students enrolled in the Hybrid/In-Person Learning Continuum, grades PreK-12, will return to in-person/hybrid learning effective February 8, 2021 (students enrolled in the STGRSD Online Full Remote Learning will remain fully remote through the end of the school year).
Because the State metrics have Southwick in “Red” and Hampden County over 5%, ONE positive case of a student or staff member in an in-person cohort will necessitate a pivot to full-remote learning for their building.
**If any positive cases are reported over the weekend that result in any school closure, we will notify families immediately.***
The return to in-person/hybrid learning for Southwick Regional School (7-12) will also allow our athletic teams to begin practicing.
We are excited for the opportunity for all students in our hybrid/in-person program to return to in-person instruction and thank you for your continued flexibility and patience as we strive to return to school in the safest way possible.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on February 2, 2021 from Superintendent Willard regarding return to full remote learning for Southwick Regional School students effective 2/3/2021.
Dear Families,
Despite our efforts to return all students to in-person/hybrid learning, SRS will need to remain in full remote learning status for the remainder of the week. Today (Tuesday, February 2, 2021), the District was notified of another positive case of COVID-19 in a member of a Southwick Regional School in-person cohort. After consultation with the local Board of Health it is not recommended that we return to in-person/hybrid learning at this time.
Woodland School, Powder Mill School and substantially specialized programs will open for in-person/hybrid learning as planned.
We understand the disappointment this causes and we will be in touch with families on Friday, February 5, 2021 with information about learning plans for next week.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on February 1, 2021 from Superintendent Willard regarding COVID-19 cases in the Southwick Regional School Community.
February 1, 2021
Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians,
I am writing to inform you that two people in our Southwick Regional School community have tested positive for COVID-19. These cases are unrelated to any other cases that we have previously reported and, because they have not been in our buildings, they do not impact learning modes for the week of February 1-5.
We appreciate the communication that families have maintained with the District and ask that, even during a fully remote learning status, you please continue to report COVID-19 testing and results to your child’s school nurse. This information helps us inform families whose students were at risk of exposure or in close contact and support the affected families as they navigate this stressful experience.
While we continue to provide remote learning for all students, community vigilance in practicing the important protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community will aide in a return to in-person learning. These include:
Practice Social Distancing – limit in-person contact as much as possible, stay at least 6 feet away from others
Wear a Mask – wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth in public settings
Wash Your Hands Often – wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
Stay Home If You Are Sick – if you aren’t feeling well, stay home except to get medical care
For more information on COVID-19 symptoms and testing, visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing#where-can-get-a-test?-.
You can also find a map of testing sites at https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13. Please contact us immediately should you or someone in your home begin to show symptoms.
We are committed to continuous communication with and support of our families. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school nurse. If there is additional transmission as a result of this case or a separate case, we will send out another message immediately. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on January 30, 2021 about continuation of FREE meal service options.
Dear Families,
As in-person/hybrid students prepare to return to campus on Monday, we would like to assure you that the following FREE meal service options are available:
All of the above meal options are available to students and are FREE through the end of the school year. Contact the School Nutrition Department at 569-6870 if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Southwick-Tolland-Granville
Regional School District
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Letter to families on January 29, 2021 from Superintendent Willard regarding a return to in-person/hybrid learning for all students beginning February 1, 2021.
January 29, 2021
Dear STGRSD Students and Parents/Guardians,
The District Safety Committee met today to review COVID-19 data in our community and discussed the possibility of reopening our schools for in-person learning for the coming week. After thorough review of the data, I am pleased to notify you that ALL students, grades PreK-12, will return to in-person/hybrid learning effective February 1, 2021. We are able to do so because the SRS cases reported on Monday, January 25, 2021 were for positive tests that were administered the previous week.
Because the State metrics have Southwick in “Red” and Hampden County over 5%, a positive case of a student or staff member who is a member of an in-person cohort and has been in our buildings will necessitate a pivot to full-remote learning for that building. If any cases are reported over the weekend that result in any closure, we will notify families immediately.
The return to in-person/hybrid learning for Southwick Regional School will also allow our athletic teams to begin practicing.
Our ability to return to in-person/hybrid learning is a result of the combined efforts of everyone in our District community and I want to thank you for your diligence and commitment to adhering to the protocols that prevent the spread of COVID-19. I ask you to please continue those efforts and look forward to seeing staff and students on Monday.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
CLARIFICATION UPDATE
Dear Families,
For clarification, the return to in-person/hybrid learning on February 1, 2021 is for all students who selected the Hybrid/In-Person Learning Continuum for Semester 2. Students enrolled in the Fully-Remote Cohort will remain fully remote.
Contact your child's school if you have questions.
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Letter to families on January 27, 2021 from Superintendent Willard regarding inclement weather remote learning days.
Dear Families,
In October, I sent you a letter stating:
“Due to a delay in our technology order, we will continue with the typical “snow day” as in the past. If the school district closes, it will be a cancelled day of school and will be made up in June. If this practice changes, we will alert you.”
This morning, instead of cancelling school, we had a full remote day because of inclement weather. Normally, today’s snowfall would have resulted in a two-hour delay, however, because it is a Wednesday split day, we opted for a full remote day for all. I apologize for changing the practice without alerting you ahead of time.
Going forward, because the previous device shortage has been resolved, it is possible that, instead of a typical “snow day”, we will have a full remote learning day due to inclement weather. Because there are numerous factors involved in making these decisions they will be handled on a case-by-case basis, but I ask that you please be prepared for the possibility of remote learning due to inclement weather.
Again, I apologize for not communicating with you earlier. Thank you for your continued support and flexibility.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on January 25, 2021 from Superintendent Willard regarding COVID-19 cases in the Southwick Regional School community.
January 25, 2021
Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians,
I am writing to inform you that two people in our Southwick Regional School community have tested positive for COVID-19. These cases are unrelated to any other cases that we have previously reported and do not impact learning modes for the week of January 25-29.
We appreciate the communication that families have maintained with the District and ask that, even during a fully remote learning status, you please continue to report COVID-19 testing and results to your child’s school nurse. This information helps us inform families whose students were at risk of exposure or in close contact and support the affected families as they navigate this stressful experience.
While we continue to provide remote learning for all students, community vigilance in practicing the important protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community will aide in a return to in-person learning. These include:
-
Practice Social Distancing – limit in-person contact as much as possible, stay at least 6 feet away from others
-
Wear a Mask – wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth in public settings
-
Wash Your Hands Often – wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
-
Stay Home If You Are Sick – if you aren’t feeling well, stay home except to get medical care
For more information on COVID-19 symptoms and testing, visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing#where-can-get-a-test?-.
You can also find a map of testing sites at https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13. Please contact us immediately should you or someone in your home begin to show symptoms.
We are committed to continuous communication with and support of our families. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school nurse. If there is additional transmission as a result of this case or a separate case, we will send out another message immediately. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on January 22, 2021 from Superintendent Willard regarding COVID-19 cases in the Woodland School Fully Remote Cohort.
January 22, 2021
Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians,
I am writing to inform you that two people in our Woodland School fully remote community have tested positive for COVID-19. These cases are unrelated to any other cases that we have previously reported. Because these cases are in the fully remote cohort, they do not impact the plans for learning modes for the upcoming week.
We appreciate the communication that families have maintained with the District and ask that, even during a fully remote learning status, you please continue to report COVID-19 testing and results to your child’s school nurse. This information helps us inform families whose students were at risk of exposure or in close contact and support the affected families as they navigate this stressful experience.
While we continue to provide remote learning for all students, community vigilance in practicing the important protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community will aide in a return to in-person learning. These include:
• Practice Social Distancing – limit in-person contact as much as possible, stay at least 6 feet away from others
• Wear a Mask – wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth in public settings
• Wash Your Hands Often – wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
• Stay Home If You Are Sick – if you aren’t feeling well, stay home except to get medical care
For more information on COVID-19 symptoms and testing, visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing#where-can-get-a-test?-.
You can also find a map of testing sites at https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13. Please contact us immediately should you or someone in your home begin to show symptoms.
We are committed to continuous communication with and support of our families. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school nurse. If there is additional transmission as a result of this case or a separate case, we will send out another message immediately. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on January 22, 2021 from Superintendent Willard regarding Learning Modes for January 25 -29, 2021.
STGRSD INFO REGARDING LEARNING MODES FOR JAN. 25-29
January 22, 2021
Dear STGRSD Students and Parents/Guardians,
The District Safety Committee met today to review COVID-19 data in our community and discussed the possibility of reopening our schools for in-person learning for the coming week. After thorough review of the data, it has been determined that:
- Our students who participate in substantially specialized education programs and students at Woodland School in grades PreK-2 will continue to attend in-person.
As a reminder, if we get just ONE positive case of a student or staff member in our in-person population we will have to pivot to full-remote learning again. If any cases are reported over the weekend that result in the closure, we will notify families immediately.
- The remainder of our students in grades 3-12 will continue to participate in full-remote learning through January 29, 2021
It is my hope that all of our students have the opportunity to return to in-person learning as soon as possible. We will continue to monitor the data and make decisions on a weekly basis.
On Friday, January 29, 2021, we will notify families of the status of in-person/hybrid learning for the upcoming week.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on January 19, 2021 from Superintendent Willard regarding COVID-19 cases in the Southwick Regional School community.
January 19, 2021
Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians,
I am writing to inform you that two people in our Southwick Regional School community have tested positive for COVID-19. These cases are unrelated to any other cases that we have previously reported and do not impact learning modes for the week of January 19 - 22.
We appreciate the communication that families have maintained with the District and ask that, even during a fully remote learning status, you please continue to report COVID-19 testing and results to your child’s school nurse. This information helps us inform families whose students were at risk of exposure or in close contact and support the affected families as they navigate this stressful experience.
While we continue to provide remote learning for all students, community vigilance in practicing the important protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community will aide in a return to in-person learning. These include:
-
Practice Social Distancing – limit in-person contact as much as possible, stay at least 6 feet away from others
-
Wear a Mask – wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth in public settings
-
Wash Your Hands Often – wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
-
Stay Home If You Are Sick – if you aren’t feeling well, stay home except to get medical care
For more information on COVID-19 symptoms and testing, visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing#where-can-get-a-test?-.
You can also find a map of testing sites at https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13. Please contact us immediately should you or someone in your home begin to show symptoms.
We are committed to continuous communication with and support of our families. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school nurse. If there is additional transmission as a result of this case or a separate case, we will send out another message immediately. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on January 18, 2021 from Superintendent Willard regarding COVID-19 cases in the Powder Mill School and Southwick Regional School communities.
January 18, 2021
Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians,
I am writing to inform you that one person in our Powder Mill School community and one person in our Southwick Regional School community have tested positive for COVID-19. These cases are unrelated to any other cases that we have previously reported and do not impact the plans for learning modes for the upcoming week.
We appreciate the communication that families have maintained with the District and ask that, even during a fully remote learning status, you please continue to report COVID-19 testing and results to your child’s school nurse. This information helps us inform families whose students were at risk of exposure or in close contact and support the affected families as they navigate this stressful experience.
While we continue to provide remote learning for all students, community vigilance in practicing the important protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community will aide in a return to in-person learning. These include:
Practice Social Distancing – limit in-person contact as much as possible, stay at least 6 feet away from others
Wear a Mask – wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth in public settings
Wash Your Hands Often – wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
Stay Home If You Are Sick – if you aren’t feeling well, stay home except to get medical care
For more information on COVID-19 symptoms and testing, visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing#where-can-get-a-test?-.
You can also find a map of testing sites at https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13. Please contact us immediately should you or someone in your home begin to show symptoms.
We are committed to continuous communication with and support of our families. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school nurse. If there is additional transmission as a result of this case or a separate case, we will send out another message immediately. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on January 15, 2021 from Superintendent Willard regarding full remote learning for all students, except Woodland School and substantially specialized educational programs, through January 22, 2021.
January 15, 2021
Dear Families,
The District Safety Committee met last night to review COVID-19 metrics in our community and discussed the possibility of reopening our schools for in-person learning for the coming week.
After thorough review of the data, it has been determined that, we are able to bring all Woodland School students, preK-2, back to in-person learning on January 19, 2021. As a reminder, if we get just ONE positive case of a student or staff member in our in-person population we will have to pivot to full-remote learning again. If any cases are reported today or over the weekend that result in the closure, we will notify families immediately. We understand that this is not ideal for planning purposes but we are working to provide as much in-person learning as possible for students during this COVID-19 pandemic. We are also able to continue with a small number of students who participate in substantially specialized educational programs for in-person learning. Those same students were in-person this week.
All students in grades 3-12 will continue to participate in full-remote learning through January 22, 2021.
As we have previously stated, we will continue to monitor the data and make decisions on a weekly basis. We hope to provide the best opportunity to bring students back to in-person learning at the earliest possible date while prioritizing the health and safety of our staff and students.
On Friday, January 22, 2021, we will notify families of the status of in-person/hybrid learning for the upcoming week.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on January 13, 2021 from Superintendent Willard regarding COVID-19 case in the Powder Mill School community.
January 13, 2021
Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians,
I am writing to inform you that one person in our Powder Mill School community has tested positive for COVID-19. This case is unrelated to any other cases that we have previously reported.
We appreciate the communication that families have maintained with the District and ask that, even during a fully remote learning status, you please continue to report COVID-19 testing and results to your child’s school nurse. This information helps us inform families whose students were at risk of exposure or in close contact and support the affected families as they navigate this stressful experience.
While we continue to provide remote learning for all students, community vigilance in practicing the important protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community will aide in a return to in-person learning. These include:
-
Practice Social Distancing – limit in-person contact as much as possible, stay at least 6 feet away from others
-
Wear a Mask – wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth in public settings
-
Wash Your Hands Often – wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
-
Stay Home If You Are Sick – if you aren’t feeling well, stay home except to get medical care
For more information on COVID-19 symptoms and testing, visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing#where-can-get-a-test?-.
You can also find a map of testing sites at https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13. Please contact us immediately should you or someone in your home begin to show symptoms.
We are committed to continuous communication with and support of our families. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school nurse. If there is additional transmission as a result of this case or a separate case, we will send out another message immediately. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on January 12, 2021 from Superintendent Willard regarding COVID-19 case in the Powder Mill School community.
January 12, 2021
Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians,
I am writing to inform you that one person in our Powder Mill School community has tested positive for COVID-19. This case is unrelated to any other cases that we have previously reported.
We appreciate the communication that families have maintained with the District and ask that, even during a fully remote learning status, you please continue to report COVID-19 testing and results to your child’s school nurse. This information helps us inform families whose students were at risk of exposure or in close contact and support the affected families as they navigate this stressful experience.
While we continue to provide remote learning for all students, community vigilance in practicing the important protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community will aide in a return to in-person learning. These include:
-
Practice Social Distancing – limit in-person contact as much as possible, stay at least 6 feet away from others
-
Wear a Mask – wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth in public settings
-
Wash Your Hands Often – wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
-
Stay Home If You Are Sick – if you aren’t feeling well, stay home except to get medical care
For more information on COVID-19 symptoms and testing, visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing#where-can-get-a-test?-.
You can also find a map of testing sites at https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13. Please contact us immediately should you or someone in your home begin to show symptoms.
We are committed to continuous communication with and support of our families. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school nurse. If there is additional transmission as a result of this case or a separate case, we will send out another message immediately. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on January 11, 2021 from Superintendent Willard regarding COVID-19 cases in the Southwick Regional School community.
January 11, 2021
Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians,
I am writing to inform you that two people in our Southwick Regional School community have tested positive for COVID-19. These cases are unrelated to any other cases that we have previously reported.
We appreciate the communication that families have maintained with the District and ask that, even during a fully remote learning status, you please continue to report COVID-19 testing and results to your child’s school nurse. This information helps us inform families whose students were at risk of exposure or in close contact and support the affected families as they navigate this stressful experience.
While we continue to provide remote learning for all students, community vigilance in practicing the important protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community will aide in a return to in-person learning. These include:
-
Practice Social Distancing – limit in-person contact as much as possible, stay at least 6 feet away from others
-
Wear a Mask – wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth in public settings
-
Wash Your Hands Often – wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
-
Stay Home If You Are Sick – if you aren’t feeling well, stay home except to get medical care
For more information on COVID-19 symptoms and testing, visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing#where-can-get-a-test?-.
You can also find a map of testing sites at https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13. Please contact us immediately should you or someone in your home begin to show symptoms.
We are committed to continuous communication with and support of our families. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school nurse. If there is additional transmission as a result of this case or a separate case, we will send out another message immediately. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on January 10, 2021 from Superintendent Willard regarding COVID-19 case in the Powder Mill School community.
January 10, 2021
Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians,
I am writing to inform you that one person in our Powder Mill School community has tested positive for COVID-19. This case is unrelated to any other cases that we have previously reported.
We appreciate the communication that families have maintained with the District and ask that, even during a fully remote learning status, you please continue to report COVID-19 testing and results to your child’s school nurse. This information helps us inform families whose students were at risk of exposure or in close contact and support the affected families as they navigate this stressful experience.
While we continue to provide remote learning for all students, community vigilance in practicing the important protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community will aide in a return to in-person learning. These include:
-
Practice Social Distancing – limit in-person contact as much as possible, stay at least 6 feet away from others
-
Wear a Mask – wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth in public settings
-
Wash Your Hands Often – wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
-
Stay Home If You Are Sick – if you aren’t feeling well, stay home except to get medical care
For more information on COVID-19 symptoms and testing, visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing#where-can-get-a-test?-.
You can also find a map of testing sites at https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13. Please contact us immediately should you or someone in your home begin to show symptoms.
We are committed to continuous communication with and support of our families. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school nurse. If there is additional transmission as a result of this case or a separate case, we will send out another message immediately. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on January 8, 2021 from Superintendent Willard regarding COVID-19 case in the Powder Mill School remote community.
January 8, 2021
Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians,
I am writing to inform you that one person in our Powder Mill School remote community has tested positive for COVID-19. This case is unrelated to any other cases that we have previously reported.
We appreciate the communication that families have maintained with the District and ask that, even during a fully remote learning status, you please continue to report COVID-19 testing and results to your child’s school nurse. This information helps us inform families whose students were at risk of exposure or in close contact and support the affected families as they navigate this stressful experience.
While we continue to provide remote learning for all students, community vigilance in practicing the important protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community will aide in a return to in-person learning. These include:
-
Practice Social Distancing – limit in-person contact as much as possible, stay at least 6 feet away from others
-
Wear a Mask – wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth in public settings
-
Wash Your Hands Often – wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
-
Stay Home If You Are Sick – if you aren’t feeling well, stay home except to get medical care
For more information on COVID-19 symptoms and testing, visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing#where-can-get-a-test?-.
You can also find a map of testing sites at https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13. Please contact us immediately should you or someone in your home begin to show symptoms.
We are committed to continuous communication with and support of our families. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school nurse. If there is additional transmission as a result of this case or a separate case, we will send out another message immediately. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on January 8, 2021 from Superintendent Willard regarding full remote learning for all students, except substantially specialized educational programs, until January 19, 2021
January 8, 2021
Dear Families,
The District Safety Committee met this morning to review COVID-19 metrics in our community and discuss the possibility of reopening our schools for in-person learning for the coming week.
After thorough review of the data and in consideration of significant increased positivity rates in Southwick and Granville, it has been determined that we are only able to return a small number of students who participate in substantially specialized educational programs to in-person learning. Those families will be contacted individually. All other students in the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District will participate in full-remote learning until at least January 19, 2021. This full remote learning includes all grades PreK-12.
We are working to bring as many students back as soon as possible, which is why we will continue to monitor the data and make decisions on a weekly basis. We understand the uncertainty is difficult for families; however, we believe this process will provide the best opportunity to bring students back to in-person learning at the earliest possible date while prioritizing the health and safety of our staff and students.
On Friday, January 15, 2021, we will notify families of the status of in-person/hybrid learning for the upcoming week.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on January 7, 2021 from Superintendent Willard regarding COVID-19 case in the Powder Mill School community.
January 7, 2021
Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians,
I am writing to inform you that one person in our Powder Mill School community has tested positive for COVID-19. This case is unrelated to any other cases that we have previously reported.
We appreciate the communication that families have maintained with the District and ask that, even during a fully remote learning status, you please continue to report COVID-19 testing and results to your child’s school nurse. This information helps us inform families whose students were at risk of exposure or in close contact and support the affected families as they navigate this stressful experience.
While we continue to provide remote learning for all students, community vigilance in practicing the important protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community will aide in a return to in-person learning. These include:
Practice Social Distancing – limit in-person contact as much as possible, stay at least 6 feet away from others
Wear a Mask – wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth in public settings
Wash Your Hands Often – wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
Stay Home If You Are Sick – if you aren’t feeling well, stay home except to get medical care
For more information on COVID-19 symptoms and testing, visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing#where-can-get-a-test?-.
You can also find a map of testing sites at https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13. Please contact us immediately should you or someone in your home begin to show symptoms.
We are committed to continuous communication with and support of our families. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school nurse. If there is additional transmission as a result of this case or a separate case, we will send out another message immediately. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on January 7, 2021 regarding "Weekly Meal Kit" pilot.
January 7, 2021
Dear STGRSD Families,
The School Nutrition Department is excited to pilot “Weekly Meal Kits” beginning Tuesday, January 12, 2021.
Each free meal kit will contain breakfast and lunch for one student for 5-days, the equivalent of a week’s worth of meals. Meal kits will be available for pick-up on Tuesday evenings, from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., at the Powder Mill School Main Entrance. Kits will contain information about storage and preparation. Attached is a flyer with menu information.
These free kits must be reserved ahead of time each week, by 10:00 a.m. the Friday prior to pick-up. Make your reservation today using the form on the District website: https://www.stgrsd.org/departments/school_nutrition
Daily free meal service will continue without interruption.
Free meals are available to all students during the 2021/2021 school year, whether in-person or learning remotely, regardless of financial means. If you have questions about accessing school meals, please contact our School Nutrition Department at 413-569-6870 or via email at food@stgrsd.org.
Sincerely,
Southwick-Tolland-Granville
Regional School District
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Letter to families on January 4, 2021 from Superintendent Willard regarding COVID-19 cases in the Woodland School, Powder Mill School and Southwick Regional School communities.
January 4, 2021
Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians,
I am writing to inform you that one person in our Woodland School community, one person in our Powder Mill School community and one person in our Southwick Regional School community have tested positive for COVID-19. These cases are unrelated to any other cases that we have previously reported.
We appreciate the communication that families have maintained with the District and ask that, even during a fully remote learning status, you please continue to report COVID-19 testing and results to your child’s school nurse. This information helps us inform families whose students were at risk of exposure or in close contact and support the affected families as they navigate this stressful experience.
While we continue to provide remote learning for all students, community vigilance in practicing the important protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community will aide in a return to in-person learning. These include:
Practice Social Distancing – limit in-person contact as much as possible, stay at least 6 feet away from others
Wear a Mask – wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth in public settings
Wash Your Hands Often – wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
Stay Home If You Are Sick – if you aren’t feeling well, stay home except to get medical care
For more information on COVID-19 symptoms and testing, visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing#where-can-get-a-test?-
You can also find a map of testing sites at https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13. Please contact us immediately should you or someone in your home begin to show symptoms.
We are committed to continuous communication with and support of our families. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school nurse. If there is additional transmission as a result of this case or a separate case, we will send out another message immediately. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on January 1, 2021 from Superintendent Willard regarding full remote learning for all students beginning on January 4, 2021
January 1, 2021
Dear Families,
The District Safety Committee met this morning to review COVID-19 metrics in our community and discuss the possibility of reopening our schools for in-person learning for the coming week.
The analysis showed that in addition to the community metrics, one person in our Powder Mill School community and one person in our Southwick Regional School Community have tested positive for COVID-19. Also, several members of our Woodland School Community have been identified as close family contacts of individuals with COVID-19.
After thorough review of the data and in consideration of current trends, it has been decided that ALL students in the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District will participate in full-remote learning beginning on January 4, 2021. This full remote learning includes all grades PreK-12 and all programs. We will continue to monitor data daily and will provide you with updated information on Friday, January 8, 2021.
I wish you and your families a Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on December 22, 2020 from Superintendent Willard regarding COVID-19 cases in the Southwick Regional School community.
December 22, 2020
Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians,
I am writing to inform you that two people in our Southwick Regional School community have tested positive for COVID-19. These cases are unrelated to any other cases that we have previously reported.
We appreciate the communication that families have maintained with the District and ask that, even during a fully remote learning status, you please continue to report COVID-19 testing and results to your child’s school nurse. This information helps us inform families whose students were at risk of exposure or in close contact and support the affected families as they navigate this stressful experience.
While we continue to provide remote learning for all students, community vigilance in practicing the important protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community will aide in a return to in-person learning. These include:
Practice Social Distancing – limit in-person contact as much as possible, stay at least 6 feet away from others
Wear a Mask – wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth in public settings
Wash Your Hands Often – wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
Stay Home If You Are Sick – if you aren’t feeling well, stay home except to get medical care
For more information on COVID-19 symptoms and testing, visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing#where-can-get-a-test?-.
You can also find a map of testing sites at https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13. Please contact us immediately should you or someone in your home begin to show symptoms.
We are committed to continuous communication with and support of our families. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school nurse. If there is additional transmission as a result of this case or a separate case, we will send out another message immediately. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on December 18, 2020 from Superintendent Willard regarding COVID-19 case in the Southwick Regional School community.
December 18, 2020
Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians,
I am writing to inform you that one person in our Southwick Regional School community has tested positive for COVID-19. This case is unrelated to any other cases that we have previously reported.
We appreciate the communication that families have maintained with the District and ask that, even during a fully remote learning status, you please continue to report COVID-19 testing and results to your child’s school nurse. This information helps us inform families whose students were at risk of exposure or in close contact and support the affected families as they navigate this stressful experience.
While we continue to provide remote learning for all students, community vigilance in practicing the important protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community will aide in a return to in-person learning. These include:
Practice Social Distancing – limit in-person contact as much as possible, stay at least 6 feet away from others
Wear a Mask – wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth in public settings
Wash Your Hands Often – wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
Stay Home If You Are Sick – if you aren’t feeling well, stay home except to get medical care
For more information on COVID-19 symptoms and testing, visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing#where-can-get-a-test?-.
You can also find a map of testing sites at https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13. Please contact us immediately should you or someone in your home begin to show symptoms.
We are committed to continuous communication with and support of our families. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school nurse. If there is additional transmission as a result of this case or a separate case, we will send out another message immediately. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on December 15, 2020 from Superintendent Willard regarding return to full remote learning for all students at Powder Mill School effective 12/16/2020.
Dear Families,
Today (Tuesday, December 15, 2020), the District was notified of a positive case of COVID-19 in a member of a Powder Mill School in-person cohort. In accordance with the MOA, beginning tomorrow (Wednesday, December 16, 2020), Powder Mill School will transition to full remote learning, for all students, through the month of December. The affected individual has not been in the buildings and no contact tracing is required for this case.
Woodland School remains open for in-person learning.
We will be in touch with families over the winter break with information about reopening plans for January 4, 2021.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on December 11, 2020 from Superintendent Willard regarding partial return to in-person learning for students in preK-4 and cohort C in grades 5 and 6.
Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers,
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our three towns. This week, Southwick remains in the “red” and Granville is seeing an increase in positive cases. The good news is that our STGRSD community currently has only two positive cases in our hybrid/in-person population, both at Southwick Regional School.
Prioritizing the safety and well-being of students and staff along with the importance of in-person learning, the safety committee recently met and reviewed the current metrics in our District in accordance with the MOA. Based on that lengthy discussion, I have concluded that all students in grades PreK-4, and students in Cohort C (5-days per week ) in grades 5 and 6 at Powder Mill School WILL return to in-person learning on Monday, December 14, 2020. Students remaining in a full-remote learning status through December 18, 2020 will include Cohorts A and B (2- days per week) in grades 5 and 6 and all students in grades 7-12.
For students who are returning, we will continue to strictly adhere to the mitigation strategies of proper mask wearing, social distancing, hand washing, and staying home when you have any symptoms. As you are aware, Governor Baker has announced that effective Sunday, December 13, 2020, all communities in Massachusetts will return to Step 1 of Phase 3, of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan. This is an important step and a reminder to all of us that we must work together as a community to decrease the spread of COVID-19 and maintain in-person learning. If we get just ONE positive case of a student or staff member in our in-person population at Woodland or Powder Mill, that school will have to transition to full-remote learning again. If any cases are reported over the weekend that result in the closure of either Woodland or Powder Mill School, we will notify families immediately.
It is my sincere hope that, after the holiday break, we can return to our hybrid/in-person learning continuum for all grades. Working together and remaining vigilant is the only way we accomplish in-person learning. As always, I appreciate your support and cooperation and wish each of you a very happy holiday season and optimism in the new year.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of School.
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Letter to families on December 11, 2020 from Superintendent Willard regarding COVID-19 case in the Southwick Regional School remote community.
December 11, 2020
Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians,
I am writing to inform you that one person in our Southwick Regional School remote community has tested positive for COVID-19. This case is unrelated to any other cases that we have previously reported.
We appreciate the communication that families have maintained with the District and ask that, even during a fully remote learning status, you please continue to report COVID-19 testing and results to your child’s school nurse. This information helps us inform families whose students were at risk of exposure or in close contact and support the affected families as they navigate this stressful experience.
While we continue to provide remote learning for all students, community vigilance in practicing the important protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community will aide in a return to in-person learning. These include:
Practice Social Distancing – limit in-person contact as much as possible, stay at least 6 feet away from others
Wear a Mask – wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth in public settings
Wash Your Hands Often – wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
Stay Home If You Are Sick – if you aren’t feeling well, stay home except to get medical care
For more information on COVID-19 symptoms and testing, visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing#where-can-get-a-test?-.
You can also find a map of testing sites at https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13. Please contact us immediately should you or someone in your home begin to show symptoms.
We are committed to continuous communication with and support of our families. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school nurse. If there is additional transmission as a result of this case or a separate case, we will send out another message immediately. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter to families on December 9, 2020 from Superintendent Willard regarding COVID-19 case in the Southwick Regional School community.
December 9, 2020
Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians,
I am writing to inform you that one person in our Southwick Regional School community has tested positive for COVID-19. This case is unrelated to any other cases that we have previously reported.
We appreciate the communication that families have maintained with the District and ask that, even during a fully remote learning status, you please continue to report COVID-19 testing and results to your child’s school nurse. This information helps us inform families whose students were at risk of exposure or in close contact and support the affected families as they navigate this stressful experience.
While we continue to provide remote learning for all students, community vigilance in practicing the important protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community will aide in a return to in-person learning. These include:
-
Practice Social Distancing – limit in-person contact as much as possible, stay at least 6 feet away from others
-
Wear a Mask – wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth in public settings
-
Wash Your Hands Often – wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
-
Stay Home If You Are Sick – if you aren’t feeling well, stay home except to get medical care
For more information on COVID-19 symptoms and testing, visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing#where-can-get-a-test?-.
You can also find a map of testing sites at https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13. Please contact us immediately should you or someone in your home begin to show symptoms.
We are committed to continuous communication with and support of our families. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school nurse. If there is additional transmission as a result of this case or a separate case, we will send out another message immediately. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools