COVID-19 Update

Dear Families,

In light of the post-holiday increase in COVID-19 cases we are experiencing this week, we want to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information and stress the importance of how we can best keep ourselves, others and our Waltham community safe and healthy.

We will provide more information as necessary. Please continue to take precautions.

Email: communications@walthampublicschools.org
Website: https://www.walthampublicschools.org/
Location: 617 Lexington Street, Waltham, MA, USA
Phone: 781-314-5400
Twitter: @WalthamPSchools

It is critical with the spike in cases that If your child is not feeling well or exhibits any of the symptoms below that you call your primary care provider, secure a test for COVID-19, and inform the school nurse of your child’s COVID- 19 test results. Symptoms to look for:

• Fever (100°F or higher)

• Chills, or shaking chills

• Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• New loss of taste or smell

• Sore throat when in combination with other symptoms

• Headache when in combination with other symptoms

• New muscle aches or body aches

• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when in combination with other symptoms Fatigue when in combination with other symptoms

• Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms

If your child tests positive using a home antigen (rapid) test, it is your responsibility to communicate with their close contacts. Home tests are useful tools, but they are not laboratory verified results. If you or your child tests positive using a home test, you should contact your primary care provider. Stay at home and inform the school nurse of your child’s COVID- 19 test results.

If you send your child into school with symptoms expecting for them to be tested for COVID-19, they will be sent home. They will not be tested at school.

A searchable database of testing sites across the state may be found here and through CIC Health here. Free home PCR (lab) testing is available to all eligible adults in Massachusetts. Kits are reserved for adults (18+) who meet certain requirements. Please visit Pixel for more details.

Sign up for the test and stay program; if your child is identified as a close contact while in school and there is no consent for testing on file, your child will be sent home. For more information and to register your child for TESTING at school, please use the CIC consent portal. Information is offered in multiple languages.

We will continue to do our best to adequately contact trace, however, with such a high number of cases, we may not be able to contact trace to the extent previously possible. See our updated contact tracing protocols here.

We have made the following temporary adjustments to health and safety protocols (at least through January 28) :

• Seating in rows facing the same direction

• Distancing of 3 feet whenever possible, and especially on rugs in elementary school classrooms

• Windows open in classrooms and throughout the building (when feasible) for the winter months (ensure that your children are dressed appropriately for cold temperatures)

• School buildings closed to visitors and volunteers

Due to unexpected bus and van driver absences there may be delays in student pickup and drop-off times. The WPS transportation office is working with our bus vendors to ensure that all bus routes are covered, and that children arrive to and from school safely. Due to bus driver absences, a substitute driver may temporarily be assigned to your child’s bus route. We will communicate timely information about transportation to families using Smore and through text messaging.

Please note:

• It is important that your children are dressed appropriately for what will likely be cold bus rides as windows on school buses must remain open to provide proper ventilation.

• If you choose to drive your child to school, please check with your school principal on arrival and dismissal procedures.

Has your address, phone number or email changed? In an effort to ensure strong home and school communication, especially during the pandemic, please make sure the district and corresponding schools have the correct contact information for you. If you have issues with the Parent Portal through Aspen or need an account, please contact your school’s main office or Digital Learning Teacher. You may also let your school secretary or house office secretary know of any changes to your contact information.

As of January 3, 2022, all Waltham Public School buildings are closed to visitors following the district’s efforts to maintain health and safety as we experience a post-holiday increase in COVID-19 cases. This will remain in effect at least through January 28, 2022.

The Parent Information Center (PIC) is closed to the public and all student registration information and forms should be emailed, mailed to our office, or dropped off in the secure lock box located near the entrance to the Waltham High School building, near the flagpole. When mailing or dropping off your child’s completed and signed registration packet, please make sure to include copies (not originals) of all required documents as we are unable to make copies at this time. If you need to speak with someone from the PIC office, please call and we will assist you over the phone. Registration information, instructions, and forms are available on our website here.

PIC Email: pic@walthampublicschools.org

Parent Information Center Telephone: 781-314-5672

Telephone (Spanish): 781-314-5668

FAX: 781-314-5769

617 Lexington Street

Waltham, MA 02452