Amesbury Public Schools Update
From the Office of the Superintendent - October 1, 2021
Amesbury Public Schools
Email: bartlettc@amesburyma.gov
Website: schools.amesburyma.gov
Location: 5 Highland Street, Amesbury, MA, USA
Phone: 978-388-0507
Facebook: facebook.com/amesburyschools
Twitter: @amesburypublic1
Dear Amesbury Public School Families!
As I walk through classrooms throughout the district, I am thrilled to see so many students actively engaged in the learning process. As a former high school teacher and administrator, it is a very special experience for me to watch the teaching and learning that happens with the really young students. This week, I spent some time in a kindergarten classroom. For me, it was awesome to see how important routines are in a kindergarten class but to also watch as those routines were being developed. In this classroom, as the students entered, they went and hung up their jackets, put their bags away, and waited in line to wash their hands prior to sitting at their desks. From there, each student had their name printed on a laminated piece of paper that had a space for them to practice writing their own name. The intensity and focus of these students as they practiced writing their names was truly impressive.
Similarly, it is great to see some traditional school events return this year. At the high school today, they had the annual “Welcome Back Rally”. Each grade level was “assigned” a color to wear to show the spirit and unity of their class. For our freshmen and sophomores, this will be their first "real" rally, and they too, will need to learn the routines and expectations associated with this cultural event.
Reconnecting with the school community, including its traditions, events, and opportunities is so important as we attempt to return to a more normal school experience. Please encourage your child(ren) to become involved in school activities. In a recent S’more newsletter, AMS Principal, Mr. Haas included a long list of co-curricular activities that have been reinstated at the middle school. In fact, some level of co-curricular activities have been restored in each building. Please check with the school to find out what options are available. A fifty dollar activity fee is required to participate; however, that fifty dollars provides a student with access to as many activities as they want. Most importantly, we do not want the cost of participating in student activities to prevent a student from joining, so please reach out to the administration at your child’s school if there is a financial hardship. We want students to be active participants in their school experience!
As always, thank you for your support and please reach out with any questions. Have a happy and safe weekend!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth McAndrews
Superintendent
New DESE Information
DESE Mask Update
As you know, on August 24, 2021, Commissioner Riley was granted the authority to "require masks for public school students (age 5 and above) and staff in all grades through at least October 1, 2021."
On September 27, 2021, Commissioner Riley and DESE released an update on this masking policy for schools. "The mask requirement will be in place until at least November 1, 2021. The Commissioner will revisit the requirement in the near future to revise it as warranted by public health data."
To clarify, masks will continue to be required in all Amesbury Public Schools and on buses. The exceptions to wearing masks continue to be when outside, during mask breaks, or while eating. I sincerely appreciate the support that we have received from both students and families in adhering to this expectation.
Here is a link to this document: https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop.html
DESE Policy on Vaccination Rate Threshold
On September 27, DESE also released additional information that provides a way to remove masking in schools. Yes, September 27, was a very busy day for DESE!
The new information includes:
There is a lot of information in that paragraph. First, the decision to use the 80% vaccination rate to allow fully vaccinated students and staff to not wear masks in school is a LOCAL decision. That means that the School Committee will have the final decision as to whether we will avail ourselves of this opportunity. During Monday's School Committee meeting, during my COVID-19/Masking update, we will begin this conversation.
Second, it will require the collection of some official form of proof of vaccination from both students and staff. I know that I had sent out a survey a few weeks ago but I will need a more official attestation of vaccination than a survey response. My staff and I are working on a method of collection of that information.
Finally, it is obvious that the only two schools in which 80% fully vaccinated status is even possible at this time are Amesbury High School and Amesbury Innovation High School. However, at this time, after consultation with our lead nurse, we will focus our collection of information on AHS.
Here is a link to this document: https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop.html
As I stated above, this in preparation for the possibility of mask removal with an 80% fully vaccinated rate. I am gathering this information to provide data to the School Committee which inform both my recommendation and their decision. Stay tuned for instructions for submitting this information.
COVID Information
Stay Home if you are Sick
Testing Consent
link: https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma
Thank you for your assistance with this. Having this in advance truly helps with the efficiency of the process.
Close Contacts
Symptomatic Testing and Test and Stay
Symptomatic testing is used when a student is showing minor symptoms of COVID-19 during school; students should NOT come to school if they are feeling sick while at home. Some symptoms of the virus look identical to other illnesses like the common cold of flu, and this test tells us whether a symptomatic student has COVID-19 or not. This is a rapid test, and we receive the results of the test within 15 minutes. If a student has minimal symptoms and tests negative, they can remain in school.
Test and stay allows students who have had close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 while at school to stay in school if the student is not showing symptoms. Instead of needing to quarantine and miss school, these students will take a daily rapid test while they remain in school as long as they are NOT symptomatic. Students participate in test and stay for at least 7 days after they have been exposed.
Exemptions
DESE and DPH have identified EXEMPTIONS to both testing and quarantine which are outlined here:
1. Asymptomatic, FULLY VACCINATED close contacts
2. Classroom close contacts - provided that both individuals were masked and spaced at least 3' apart.
3. Bus close contacts - provided that masks were worn and windows were open
4. Close contacts who have had COVID-19 within the last 90 days
COVID Positive Case Count for DESE
September 16 - 22: 3
September 23 - 29: 1
In the case that you would like to see this data yourself, please follow this link: https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/positive-cases/default.html#weekly-report
This information is reported every Wednesday and uploaded to the DESE site listed above at some time on Thursday afternoon or evening.
What's Happening in the Schools?
Free Breakfast and Lunch Continue!
Mascot Committee Update
Sgt. Jordan Shay Memorial Lower Elementary School
Kitchen & Mainten-ance Area
Facing Northeast from the New Road
Facing Northeast from Cashman
Classroom Wing from Cashman
Admin Wing from Classroom Wing
Admin Wing Facing West
Resources
DESE/DPH Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios - SY 21-22
Information on DESE COVID-19 Testing Programs
SY 22 COVID-19 Testing Program Webinar Slides - August 11, 2021
SY 22 COVID-19 Testing Program Webinar Recording - August 11, 2021
DESE/DPH COVID-19 Guidance for Districts and Schools: Fall 2021-English
DESE/DPH COVID-19 Guidance for Districts and Schools: Fall 2021 - Translations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools