Superintendent's Weekly Update 2/21/21

 

Hello,

Thank you to those that took the time to fill out the survey last week on returning to school, it gave me very clear data and information. As I said in the summer, the goal has been and will continue to be to have students, faculty, and staff safely return to school for in person instruction. It is what everyone in the Douglas Public Schools want for our students. We just need to make certain that we are doing it safely. 

Survey Results:

We had 992 responses to the survey across the district. As a point of reference we have about 1150 students; which is a great response rate from the community. Below are the results of the survey:

If the Douglas Public Schools are to return to full person instruction will you send your student back to school full time? 87% of the people answered yes (864 yes- 128 no)

If your student is currently fully remote will you stay fully remote? 78% of the people answered no (92 yes-323 no) Additional data will be needed as 415 people responded to this question and we do not have 415 students fully remote.

Are you only comfortable with you student returning to school for full in person instruction if we maintain 6 feet of distancing? 43% of the people answered yes (431 yes-561 no)

It will be necessary in some instances to maintain 3-6 feet of distancing in classrooms to bring all students back to school full time. Are you comfortable sending your student back to school at 3 to 6 feet?79% of the people answered yes (788 yes- 294 no)

If you answered no to the previous question would you feel more comfortable if people were tested in schools on a regular basis in schools? 47% of the people answered yes (203 yes-209 no) Additional information will be needed since 294 people answered no to the previous question and 412 responded to this question)

Pooled testing is an option that is available to schools. This is a nasal swab test that would be performed by a healthcare worker during the school day. This would allow for people to be tested on a regular basis in schools. Would you allow for your student to be tested in school? 62% of the people answered yes (569 yes-288 no)

The next question was focused on transportation, but since the survey went out we now have new information from DESE that will allow us to transport all students to school.

Would you be willing to volunteer at your student's school an hour a week to assist us in getting students back to school full time. This may include office work, paperwork, copying, assisting at recess and lunches, driving things to the post office, etc. 45% of people answered yes (411 yes-581 no)

Again, thank you to everyone for taking the time to do the survey, the information is very helpful.

Pooled Testing:

The Douglas Public Schools have been accepted into the Pooled Testing Program. This will allow, with parental permission, the testing of students in schools. Below is a brief description of the program. Over the next few weeks you will receive additional information on it.

What is the COVID-19 testing program?

-Participating students will be tested for COVID-19 at least once a month. 

-The program start date is yet to be determined but it will take place during the school day.

-The COVID-19 test is quick, easy and it does not hurt. It is a nasal test that gently swabs the lower inner nostril, and most students will be able to swab themselves. We will accommodate all students’ needs to help them be comfortable during the test.

-The test is free. You do not need to pay for the test or have insurance to get the test.

-The program is optional, but we hope you will participate to help us stop the spread of COVID-19.

How does it work?

The type of testing we are using is called “Pooled Testing.”  Pooled testing makes it easier and faster to find individuals who might have COVID-19. Here is how it works:

-Participating students are tested individually with a nasal swab. Most students will be able to swab themselves. 

-Then, student swabs (10 to 20 samples) will be placed in the same tube, creating a group of swabs called a “pool.” The pool is sent to a lab where the whole pool is tested for COVID-19 at one time.

-If the pool test comes back negative, all students in the pool are COVID-negative. In this case, you will not hear from us. 

-If the pool test comes back positive, it means that at least one person in the pool is COVID-positive. In this case, all students in that pool will be tested using the BinaxNOW testing. This individual follow-up test produces results in 15 minutes. If the individual follow-up test comes back negative, the student returns to school as normal. If the individual follow-up test comes back positive, we will work with families to make arrangements to have the student quarantine and get connected to care..

We have a scheduled School Committee Meeting on March 3, 2021 in which I will present a return to school proposal. As a reminder, this is just a proposal and there are multiple procedural and legal steps that need to be taken before we can fully return to school. I will host a community forum to review the proposal and answer questions on Monday March 8 at 6:30PM. A zoom link will be sent out next week. 

Travel Advisory:

Below is some information from our nurses about the travel advisory that is still in place. 

COVID-19 Travel Order issued by Governor Baker

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order

The Order applies both to residents of Massachusetts returning from out-of-State travel and to residents of other States and any other persons who come to Massachusetts for personal or business travel. Travelers who do not comply with these rules may be subject to a civil fine of $500 per day.

All visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, MUST quarantine for 10 days unless you: 

1. are coming from a lower-risk state (there are currently none, except Hawaii) 

2. test negative with an approved molecular (PCR) SARS-CoV2 test, on a sample obtained 72 hours or less prior to arrival in Massachusetts. Rapid antigen tests will not be accepted

3. test negative with an approved molecular (PCR) SARS-CoV2 test, on a sample  upon returning to Massachusetts. Rapid antigen tests will not be accepted.

4. meet the exemption criteria https://www.mass.gov/guidance/guidance-for-travelers-arriving-in-the-commonwealth-of-massachusetts#exemptions-to-the-quarantine-requirement

You MUST quarantine until you receive the negative result. 

Refer to the approved test sites on the mass.government website.

https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-testing

Testing for children, 10 years and younger, who are traveling with an adult from their household is not required. If the accompanying adult chooses to quarantine, the child must also quarantine. If the accompanying adult chooses to obtain a test, the child and adult must quarantine until the adult’s negative test result is received. **A copy of a negative PCR test is required prior to your child returning to in-person instruction.

COVID Data

Attached is a link to our COVID Dashboard along with guidance and information for families. Link To COVID Dashboard  guidance for families 

Enjoy the rest of your evening,

Paul