Superintendent's Weekly Update 1-28-21

 


“The Douglas Public Schools offer diverse learning experiences that meet the academic, social, physical, and emotional needs of all students. We provide a safe, supportive, and challenging learning environment in which students may achieve academic success and personal growth. Decisions are made in the best interest of students.” 



New COVID-19 Testing Program Option for K-12 Schools

In accordance with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Public Health (DPH), our district is updating our COVID-19 Testing Program, effective January 31, 2022. We are opting into an at-home testing program that will increase testing of our participating students and staff, regardless of vaccination status. For more information about this update to the statewide testing program, please click here. The at-home testing option will begin during the week of January 31, 2022. In addition to this new at-home antigen test option, we will continue with pooled testing and symptomatic testing during the week. As part of this shift in the program, we are discontinuing Test and Stay and contact tracing for in-school close contacts. This means that if you are a potential contact in school, you may continue to come to school and do not have to quarantine. This new at-home testing opportunity is voluntary and only those who opt-in will receive tests. 

Recharge Weekend

This is just a reminder that next week will be our first recharge weekend. Our purpose in doing this is to be able to give students, faculty, staff, and families some time to recharge from when school gets out on Friday through Monday. Stay safe and enjoy some time in the snow!

Vaccination Clinic

Thank you again to our local Board of Health for helping to set up another vaccination and booster clinic at our Elementary School. The clinic will be held on Friday 1/28,22 from 3PM-7PM. The follow up date for the second dose is February 18 from 3PM-7PM. Here is the link to register. 

https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/transformativehealth?calendar=773558c1-32ac-438f-932d-89653f44d10c

 

COVID Dashboard:

Attached is a link to our COVID Dashboard that will be updated weekly. Unlike last year where I sent our letters every time we had a COVID positive case, I will not do that this year. This Dashboard will provide you with weekly numbers by building. We will continue to reach out to close contacts and also to families if they have been exposed to a presumptive positive student.


Respectfully,

Paul Vieira, Ed.D.

Superintendent



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