April vacation is almost here, and I know we’re all excited for the break. Next week many families will be traveling, visiting family and friends, and enjoying spring activities. Thinking ahead to our return to school after vacation, I am reaching out to ask for your help in ensuring a smooth transition back and minimizing the risk of COVID spread in schools.
For
those who have opted into weekly at-home COVID testing, school nurses have sent
kits home to families this week with the request that students test on Sunday,
April 24th, and then again on Tuesday, April 26th. Families will receive
a MedBot prompt on Monday, April 25th, and again on Tuesday, April 26th
to report positive results.
I’d like to encourage everyone to please take advantage of the at-home testing program. By testing your students at home, you can help us to minimize the risk of spread in school after the vacation period. The more families who participate in the at-home testing prior to returning to school, the more successful we will be in managing any spread. If you have not signed up for testing, but would like to participate, please call or email your school contact and a kit will be sent home.
- Memorial: Joanne Seaman, RN - seamnj@mersd.org / 978-526-1909
- Essex Elementary: Nicole Grasso-Correnti, RN - Grasso-CorrentiN@mersd.org / (978) 768-7324
- Middle School: Carolyn Houde – houdec@merd.or / (978) 526-2022
- High School: Mary Lumsden - LumsdenM@mersd.org / (978) 526-4412
Maintaining
a safe environment for all is a priority for the District, and masking
is strongly supported and encouraged for all who wish to continue with this
mitigation practice. Masks remain available in all schools, and all
families are encouraged to have their students vaccinated and to keep their
students home when sick.
Reminder: Although masks are encouraged for students and staff, there
are circumstances when they are still required. In accordance with
guidance and recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Department
of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and the Massachusetts Department
of Public Health (DPH), the following requirements are in place until further
notice:
- A face covering
that covers the nose and mouth is strongly recommended to be worn by
individuals who remain unvaccinated or are otherwise immunocompromised in
school buildings, and on school grounds, even when social distancing is
observed.
- Individuals who are
vaccinated are not required to wear a mask but may do so if desired.
- Students and staff
returning from 5-day quarantine following a positive COVID test must
follow strict mask use, other than when eating, drinking, or outside, and
conduct active monitoring for symptoms, through day 10 of exposure.
- Masks will be
required in all school health offices.
In
alignment with MERSD’s Strategic
Plan core value of
creating, a just and equitable environment that respects individual
differences and the diversity of, our communities, country, and world, I
ask that as we transition to this next phase of COVID management all members of
the MERSD community work to support each other, consider the community implication
of personal decisions, and value each other's personal choice in this
matter.
Have
a wonderful April vacation.
