MATTAPOISETT — Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Principal Rose Bowman report that as the result of an increase in students testing positive for COVID-19, one classroom at the Center School will be transitioning to remote learning.
Through its participation in the state’s Symptomatic and Test and Stay testing options, and in coordination with the Mattapoisett Board of Health and Public Health Nurse Emily Field and Center School Nurse Jaime Balsis, an increased amount of positive COVID-19 cases has been identified among students in a second grade classroom at the school. Under state and federal health privacy laws, no further information is available about the individuals.
After assessing the situation in conjunction with the Mattapoisett Board of Health and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), it was determined that, out of an abundance of caution and to limit possible in-school transmission, it was in the best interest of the school and its students and staff to transition the students in the affected classroom to fully remote learning. Based on the appropriate quarantine and isolation periods, the affected students are currently expected to be able to return to school on Oct. 12.
Students that have been identified as a close contact were contacted by the school nurse and provided close contact protocols. All students in the affected classroom and their families will be provided with remote learning resources.
The district will conduct a deep and thorough sanitization and disinfection of the Center School this weekend. All schools districtwide continue to be cleaned daily.
“Given the multiple positive cases and subsequent close contacts in one classroom, we believe it is in the best interest of all of our Center School students and staff for those students to learn remotely for the appropriate time period in accordance with state protocols,” Principal Bowman said. “We appreciate the continued cooperation and understanding of our school community and encourage our Center School families to reach out with any questions or concerns.”
Families are reminded to monitor their children’s health and be alert for COVID-19-like symptoms, including fever, cough, respiratory illness, vomiting, fatigue, body ache, sore throat and chills.
“The health and safety of our students and staff remains our top priority and we have many protocols in place to respond to situations like this,” Superintendent Nelson said. “We will continue to follow all protocols and guidance of our local officials as well as the Massachusetts Department of Health and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and we would also like to thank our local board of health and school nurses for their assistance and guidance as we continue to navigate through the pandemic.”
The Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55 has a dashboard in place to track all reported cases of COVID-19. The dashboard can be viewed here. Additionally, families are encouraged to visit the district’s 2021-2022 Reopening of Schools Information webpage to view COVID-19 protocols and guidelines.
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