January 2022 - Superintendents_update - mailman.dca2.superb.net

Reminder: Opt in at 3:00 p.m. Monday, January 31st
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 31 Jan '22

31 Jan '22

Dear NPS Families: This is a reminder that today, Monday, January 31st at 3:00 p.m. the district will push out via text and email a notification for you to opt in to receive a COVID rapid test kit with two tests in each kit for your student(s). There is no charge for the test kit. The notification looks similar to the daily morning health attestation which families will continue to receive daily. You can opt in at anytime before Wednesday, February 2nd at 8:00 a.m. You only need to opt in once. Test kits will be sent home with students by the end of the week and each week thereafter. For more information, please read my email dated January 29, 2022 or review this brief presentation: New NPS Testing Program <https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1NTfYBGjHCINRAZCY1HH5xzp2wXh3H6CuGKs…> Sincerely, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools Needham Public Schools 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 781-455-0400 x11203 dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Contact your child’s school for assistance. Chinese (Simplified): 请注意：如果您的母语不是英语，我们将免费提供您语言辅助服务。如需协助，请与您孩子的学校联系。 Spanish: ATENCION: Si usted habla un idioma que no sea el inglés, hay servicios de asistencia lingüística disponibles gratis. Contacte la escuela de su hijo para asistencia. Russian: ВНИМАНИЕ: Если вы не говорите на английском языке, для вас доступны бесплатные языковые сервисы на вашем языке. Обратитесь за помощью в школу, в которой учится ваш ребенок.

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Important Health and Safety Update for Families
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 29 Jan '22

29 Jan '22

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: I am writing to let you know that the district will change our COVID testing program in coordination with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the Department of Public Health (DPH), and Needham Public Health. I am confident that the new COVID testing options are the appropriate next step to keep our schools healthy and safe. You may view a brief presentation of the new program here: New NPS Testing Program <https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1NTfYBGjHCINRAZCY1HH5xzp2wXh3H6CuGKs…> Here is a summary of the changes: - At-Home Rapid Tests Each week, beginning this Thursday and Friday, February 3rd and 4th, the district will distribute one iHealth COVID-19 At-Home Rapid Antigen Test kit (2 tests in each kit) to each student whose family opts in to receive tests and agrees to test once on Sunday and again on midweek. To opt in, families must respond to the text or email that the district will push out using our Health Attestation app, RUVNA. *We will send out a special text and email to all families on Monday afternoon, January 31st about 3:00 p.m.* By opting in, families will agree to review the training materials for test administration <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DS9psyq9WpqvNe022OGZYjb5pmwBimxk/edit?u…>, report positive test results <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSde-V_H0m8AWvClAQkEFTJhai_Xyu9KFEF…> to their student’s school, and administer the tests according to the district’s guidelines. Only those families who opt in through RUVNA by Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. will receive their first test kit by Friday, February 4th. - In School Symptomatic Tests Beginning on Wednesday, February 9th, the district will provide symptomatic testing for students whose families have consented to the DESE/CIC testing program. The program is designed to provide an in school test for those students who develop symptoms during the school day. It is administered by our health partner, CIC. If you already signed up for the DESE testing (symptomatic, pool, and Test & Stay), you do not need to consent again. If you consented and would like to *opt out* of symptomatic testing, please email danielle_deleon(a)needham.k12.ma.us. For those who have not signed up for the DESE/CIC testing, you may opt in at this link: In School Symptomatic Testing Program <https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma?district=Needham> . (Families can opt in to one of the testing programs, both programs, or neither.) - Contact Tracing and Test & Stay Program In order to participate in the new DESE testing program, we will stop contact tracing, exposure notifications and the Test & Stay program on Thursday, February 3rd. The ability to offer At-Home Rapid Testing for students and the availability of symptomatic testing will mean that we can continue to prioritize health and safety. This also means that if your student has a potential exposure while at school, they may continue to come to school and do not have to quarantine because of the low incidence of in-school transmission. You can expect that additional information will be shared in the days ahead. In the meantime, we are providing a presentation of the new COVID testing options <https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1NTfYBGjHCINRAZCY1HH5xzp2wXh3H6CuGKs…>, updated COVID Protocols for Students and Families <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NdyqyVm2qpIn6KEN3bBjMpB8XabmKkolkr7uNBi…>, plus answers to Frequently Asked Questions <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_DX34Yep-8Eb_jUGgGtfRmZRMGFX0LfS/edit?u…> . The FAQ includes instructions on administering At-Home Tests and reporting positive test results, plus additional context for understanding the change to our health and safety protocols. Finally, if you wish to view a brief video about the new program featuring NPS Director of Health Services Susannah Hann and School Committee Chair, Dr. Connie Barr, click here: Video presentation of new testing program <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arDprRtrKgA> As always, thank you for your partnership. Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools Needham Public Schools 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 781-455-0400 x11203 dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Contact your child’s school for assistance. Chinese (Simplified): 请注意：如果您的母语不是英语，我们将免费提供您语言辅助服务。如需协助，请与您孩子的学校联系。 Spanish: ATENCION: Si usted habla un idioma que no sea el inglés, hay servicios de asistencia lingüística disponibles gratis. Contacte la escuela de su hijo para asistencia. Russian: ВНИМАНИЕ: Если вы не говорите на английском языке, для вас доступны бесплатные языковые сервисы на вашем языке. Обратитесь за помощью в школу, в которой учится ваш ребенок.

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 09 Jan '22

09 Jan '22

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: Allow me to share some important updates as we continue to focus on a healthy learning environment for our students and staff: *• COVID Updates & Protocols* New health and safety guidance and protocols are changing rapidly and will continue to do so over the coming days. Please review the latest protocol updates here: COVID Protocol Updates <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NdyqyVm2qpIn6KEN3bBjMpB8XabmKkolkr7uNBi…>. I recognize that it is challenging for families to keep up with the pace of new health guidance and procedures, and it also places an enormous burden on the entire staff, including our nurses and administrators. We will work together as one school community - staff, families, and students - to be responsive, transparent, and proactive around updates and information. Our efforts will be imperfect but if we exhibit patience, grace, gratitude, and, every once and awhile, a dose of good humor we will be able to prioritize the needs of our students. You may view my recent report to the School Committee here: January 4, 2022 Health & Safety Update to the School Committee <https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JmQ4VHlziLNHFE-fliQIsBcD1TdOagxNYMx…> *• Health & Safety Open House* The Joint Committee on Health and Safety will host a virtual Open House on Tuesday, January 11th for families at 5:00 p.m. Members of the committee will share some brief information and then listen to questions and comments. Here is the link: Family Health and Safety Open House <https://needham-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/87524362894?pwd=bUxVZi9wTDdmalZJeERLbXB…> *• Superintendent's Blog *My latest blog post <http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/> shares information about the FY23 Budget Plan and the upcoming Budget Public Hearing. Sincerely, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools Needham Public Schools 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 781-455-0400 x11203 dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Contact your child’s school for assistance. Chinese (Simplified): 请注意：如果您的母语不是英语，我们将免费提供您语言辅助服务。如需协助，请与您孩子的学校联系。 Spanish: ATENCION: Si usted habla un idioma que no sea el inglés, hay servicios de asistencia lingüística disponibles gratis. Contacte la escuela de su hijo para asistencia. Russian: ВНИМАНИЕ: Если вы не говорите на английском языке, для вас доступны бесплатные языковые сервисы на вашем языке. Обратитесь за помощью в школу, в которой учится ваш ребенок.

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 31 Dec '21

31 Dec '21

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: As we prepare to resume school on Monday, January 3rd, I’d like to share several important health and safety updates and reminders: • Health Attestation Please remember to complete the attestation for your child(ren) when prompted to do so via text or email on Monday morning and each day school is in session. To help us ensure only healthy students are attending school each day, the attestation is an important responsibility each family has. We will continue to update the language and prompts in the attestation based on newly evolving public health guidelines. • Face Coverings and Masks Masks remain a key tool in our efforts to contain the spread of the virus, especially in younger students who have not been vaccinated or boosted. Given the highly transmissible variant of the virus we are currently facing, I encourage everyone to consider upgrading their masks to at least a surgical mask. KN95 or N95 masks also are protective, yet no mask will be effective if it is not worn properly. Please ensure your child(ren) understands how to properly wear a mask which will reinforce the same messaging we are providing in schools. For additional information on masks, please visit the CDC’s website: CDC Mask guidance <https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/types-of-mas…>. The NPS has also received a supply of KN95 masks for our staff who may choose to wear them. • Vaccinations It is important for those who are eligible to get vaccinated and, as appropriate, to get a booster. The Town of Needham offers booster clinics on most Tuesdays, and also next Saturday, January 8th, the Town will offer a vaccine clinic for students ages 5 and up. Please sign up here <https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/needham?fbclid=IwAR2CiCADyqDfpf1H6N…> and get the shot! We are also working with our partner, PelMeds Pharmacy, to schedule an additional clinic and once confirmed, I will forward registration information. • Updated CDC Guidance on Isolation This week, the CDC updated its guidance on the isolation time period for those who have tested positive for COVID-19. (This guidance has now been adopted by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH)). A reminder that an *isolated individual* is one who has tested positive for COVID; a *quarantined individual* is one who has been identified as a close contact but has not tested positive for COVID. Key updates are included here: Isolation and Quarantine Guidance <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wW0IvcFLFuGeZ_FUlfvEiQ9JJXM9aznO5unTd0N…> • Staff Testing The state has secured rapid testing kits to distribute to school staff, and I anticipate that we will be able to provide a test to each school staff member who wants to take a test before school resumes. This will be yet another tool we have to strengthen our school safety and health protocols. For additional information on our health and safety plans, please check out the district’s website <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/departments/superintendent_s_office/plans_for_…> and the FAQs <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ttDw6Yl31ufHgP24BmnepZg3AXEvx1GqmBC3T3h…> . Finally, some families have asked about whether or not the district will implement a surveillance testing program. At this time the Joint Committee on Health and Safety <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/departments/superintendent_s_office/plans_for_…> is not recommending routine COVID surveillance testing for several reasons. We have decided to focus our available resources and energy on the attestation process and the test and stay program, and the districts who have been doing surveillance testing have reported a low participation rate which, of course, impacts the efficacy of the program and results. We will continue to discuss and review what the best options and tools are to keep our school communities safe. It’s important to acknowledge that the latest surge in COVID infections needs to be monitored closely, and in the days ahead the district may need to adjust plans or procedures to ensure a healthy environment for all students and staff. We will also continue to update our website to reflect the latest information and guidance. I’ll ask that parents and families be particularly patient with our school nurses who will be back next Monday responding to the many emails and questions they have been receiving over the last week or so. *Please also recognize that any of this information or guidance could change, and I would share updates as soon as it is possible to do so.* Due to the efforts of our staff and in partnership with students, parents, families, and community health partners we have been able to implement a successful, full time, and in person return to school this year. It's been a challenge, and I could not be prouder of our students and staff for demonstrating resilience, plenty of flexibility, and a great spirit. Working together in 2022 we will continue to prioritize health and safety so that we can keep our young people learning in the classroom with their friends and the teachers and staff who care for them. My very best wishes to you and your family for a happy and healthy New Year! Respectfully, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools Needham Public Schools 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 781-455-0400 x11203 dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Contact your child’s school for assistance. Chinese (Simplified): 请注意：如果您的母语不是英语，我们将免费提供您语言辅助服务。如需协助，请与您孩子的学校联系。 Spanish: ATENCION: Si usted habla un idioma que no sea el inglés, hay servicios de asistencia lingüística disponibles gratis. Contacte la escuela de su hijo para asistencia. Russian: ВНИМАНИЕ: Если вы не говорите на английском языке, для вас доступны бесплатные языковые сервисы на вашем языке. Обратитесь за помощью в школу, в которой учится ваш ребенок.

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