Superintendent's Weekly Update---November 20, 2020

Newsletter Highlights:

Update on COVID cases from this week

Communication with school and families

COVID testing

Flu clinic

Additional Data


Hello,


I want to start by wishing everyone a healthy, safe, and happy Thanksgiving. As with everything in 2020, this one will look different, but we have all become experts in adjusting and adapting to this new normal. As your new superintendent, I am grateful and thankful for the tremendous support of the entire Douglas Community during these challenging times. We all have a case of COVID fatigue, take time next week to recharge and relax and also reflect on what we have all been able to accomplish during these last few months; it was been remarkable.


Update:

Thank you to everyone for the continued support of the schools and our students and staff as we had to pivot from a hybrid model to a fully remote model. As I mentioned in the statement earlier this week, my hope is that we can return to school on December 1, but we need your help in this. Please continue to follow the guidance that has been issued by Governor Baker and the guidelines with social distancing, hand washing, and wearing masks; they work. This is critically important with the holiday here next week.


There were 11 cases that we have been tracking, to date we have received word that three of these cases have been confirmed positive and 2 are negative. Teachers, students, and staff members associated with these positive cases have been notified. Sadly, we also received word that some close contacts of the original COVID-19 positive cases are now symptomatic. As I get more information on these cases I will share it with you. Today, I was made aware of a member of the Primary School Community that tested positive. Due to the fact that this person has not been in school for a few days we did not have to do any contact tracing. 


Communication:

While students are home during this remote period and the Thanksgiving Break, please inform us if your student is symptomatic at any point. We have been very fortunate these last two months tracking cases and a large part of that is due to this communication from you; we need that to continue. Please send information to each of the school’s nurses. I would also like to ask that if you have concerns about your child’s social emotional well being you communicate that with the schools. The holiday season can be difficult on students for a variety of reasons. When school is “live” we can many times see this in our students and offer assistance. Now that students are remote, it becomes trickier. I ask for your help in communicating that with us.



Testing:

Earlier this week the Douglas Public Schools were accepted in Phase I Abbott BinaxNOW K-12 Testing Program. This program allows for certified school personnel to administer a rapid test (results in 15 minutes) to staff and students that are symptomatic in schools. This is not for people to come to school if they are sick and looking to be tested, this is for the student or staff member that becomes symptomatic while in school. More information will be forthcoming.


Flu Clinic:

Just a reminder that we are offering a flu clinic on December 2. Please contact the school nurses in each of the schools for more information.


Technology:

Attached is a link to a page on the website with Frequently asked questions regarding the use of district technology and some troubleshooting tips. The link is http://www.douglasps.net/departments/technology/technology_f_a_qs 

I hope this is helpful.



Additional Data:

I would like to share some data and information with you that I have been looking at this week. 


Date

Total Cases in MA

% Positive in MA

Total Cases in Douglas (14 day count)

Avg. Daily Count in Douglas

%Positive in Douglas

October 29

1243

2.0%

9

6.84

1.97%

November 5

1761

2.4%

16

12

3.50%

November 12

2482

3.3%

22

16.6

3.99%

November 19

2532

3.2%

42

31.6

6.26%


As you can see the data is trending in the wrong direction and increasing rapidly. As a point of reference from March 13 to June 30 there were 47 total confirmed cases in Douglas. The last two week alone there have been 42 cases. Yes, we are better equipped to deal with this, but the cases are increasing. We have been VERY fortunate in the schools that we have only had to date 6 positive cases that are directly related to the schools. I do not want to sound like a broken record, but we need your help to stay open for teaching and learning. Please follow the guidance that is out there, it will make a difference.



This week's data show:

Douglas's Average Daily Case Rate: 31.6 

Douglas's 14 Day Percent Positivity Rate: 6.26%

MA  Positivity Rate - 3.2%


Last week's data show:

Douglas's Average Daily Case Rate: 16.6 

Douglas's 14 Day Percent Positivity Rate: 3.99%

MA  Positivity Rate - 2.9%


Link To COVID Dashboard

guidance for families


Have a great weekend!

Paul

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