Superintendent's Update
January 31, 2025
Hello Auburn Families and Staff,
I hope this message finds you all doing well. I, for one, am happy for Friday to have arrived. This has been one of the most difficult weeks of my career as Superintendent. That being said, I continue to be so appreciative of the staff, students, and families of the Auburn Public Schools, as well as the entire Auburn community. All communities face challenges, but I believe Auburn is unique in our ability to pull together. There are many towns that have dysfunction and lack of collaboration between departments. There is none of that in Auburn. Each department works to support the other and that is what makes Auburn unique. I will once more specifically express my thanks for the collaboration with and support of the Auburn Police Department over the past week. While we work with the APD regularly in support of the safety of our students, this week they helped us through a very difficult situation and the speed with which this was handled was amazing. Thank you!
That being said, I will not allow the situation from this week to define the Auburn Public Schools or to tarnish the hard work and dedication of so many of our staff members. The staff of the Auburn Public Schools is committed to our kids and to one another, and we will continue to be so. I know that in response to the events over the past week there has been a great deal of chatter on social media. I do not monitor social media because what I know to be true, is that much of the information found there is conjecture, speculation, opinion and in many cases, hate. None of that will help us to continue to grow and develop into the school district that supports the needs of all kids and a district who works to ensure the success of all kids. We are committed to creating a school environment where ALL kids and staff feel safe, where we hold one another to high standards, where we ground our work in kindness and compassion and where we learn from and accept the differences between us. I encourage you to build a relationship with your child's teacher and school administration if you have not already done so. It is by working together and building upon the strengths of all, that our students will reach new heights.
Finally, on behalf of the School Committee and the staff and students of the Auburn Public Schools, I would like to wish Town Manger Ed Kazanovicz a heartfelt congratulations on his retirement. Today is Ed's last official day with the Town of Auburn. Ed has been a force for good over his 30 plus year tenure in the Town of Auburn. Ed has always worked to ensure that the school department was well supported with materials and staff and his efforts have had a direct and positive impact on the district we are today. I will be forever grateful for the support I received from Ed as I stepped into the role of Superintendent. Ed has been invaluable to me as I have navigated the District through a number of challenging times. Ed is kind, caring, knowledgeable, funny and a terrific colleague. We wish Ed good health, wonderful times with his family and all good things as he embarks on his retirement. Nelson Mandela said, "History will judge us by the difference we make in the everyday lives of children." Nicely done Ed! You have certainly made a difference in the lives of the children of the Auburn Public Schools.
As Ed departs, we also want to send good wishes and great success to Dori Vecchio, current Assistant Town Manager, who will assume the role of Interim Town Manager. Dori has also been a great support to the school department and we look forward to our continued work together.
I wish you all a safe and fun filled weekend with family and friends. Thank you for your continued support of the Auburn Public Schools.
Best,
Beth
Dear APS Community,
We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health and high spirits. As we continue to prioritize the well-being and safety of all students and staff, we would like to address an important matter regarding health practices within our school community.
As expected during this time of year, we have noticed an uptick in general illnesses among our students. Of note, gastrointestinal sickness (norovirus) and influenza (flu) cases have been on the rise.
Norovirus is spread through contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces. The virus can be transmitted in several ways, including:
Person-to-person contact: Direct contact with someone who is sick or their bodily fluids (vomit or diarrhea).
Contaminated food or water: Eating food or drinking liquids contaminated by an infected person, especially when food is handled by someone who is sick.
Contact with contaminated surfaces: Touching surfaces or objects contaminated by the virus and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
The flu is primarily spread from person to person through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It can also spread by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. Because the flu can be contagious even before symptoms appear, it’s important to take preventive measures as early as possible.
In an effort to minimize the spread of illness, please consider the following tips.
Practice Good Hand Hygiene: Encourage your child to wash their hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and water, especially:
After coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose
Before eating or preparing food
After using the bathroom
Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Teach your child to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue (or their elbow if no tissue is available) when coughing or sneezing. This helps to prevent the spread of respiratory droplets.
Avoid Close Contact: Encourage your child to avoid close contact with people who are sick. We kindly ask that you do not send your child to school if they are feeling unwell or exhibiting symptoms of illness, such as fever, cough, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea. Keeping sick children at home helps prevent the spread of illnesses to other students and staff, ensuring a healthier environment for everyone.
Clean and Disinfect: Regularly clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, and shared equipment to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus. To disinfect surfaces potentially exposed to norovirus, use a chlorine bleach solution with a concentration of 1,000 to 5,000 ppm (5 to 25 tablespoons of household bleach [5% to 8%] per gallon of water) or use an EPA-registered disinfecting product against norovirus.
Get Plenty of Rest and Stay Hydrated: A healthy immune system is your best defense against illness. Encourage your child to get adequate sleep and drink plenty of fluids.
Get Plenty of Rest, Stay Hydrated, and Eat Well Balanced Meals: A healthy immune system is your best defense against illness. Encourage your child to get adequate sleep, drink plenty of fluids, and eat a diet rich in nutritious foods.
If your child begins to feel unwell during the school day, they should visit the school nurse. The nurse will assess your child’s condition and determine whether they should remain at school or need to go home. If it is deemed necessary for your child to be picked up, we ask that you or an authorized contact arrive promptly after being notified. This helps us provide the best care for your child while minimizing disruption to the school day.
We are continuously monitoring the situation and taking extra precautions to ensure a clean and safe environment for all students. Our custodial team is disinfecting classrooms and common areas regularly, and we are encouraging students to practice good hand hygiene throughout the day.
We greatly appreciate your cooperation and understanding in helping us maintain a safe and healthy school environment. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school office or the school nurse. Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your ongoing support. Stay well!
Warmly,
The Auburn Public School Nurses
