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Weston Public Schools: WPS Back To School Protocol

August 13, 2021

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Press release from Weston Public Schools:

Jodi Sacchetta

Aug 14, 2021

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August 13, 2021

Dear Families:    

Find out what's happening in Weston-Redding-Eastonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

I appreciate your patience this summer. I know that you have been awaiting the news of how school will open this fall. The purpose of this letter is to provide you with an overview of the health and safety protocols for September. Our main priority is for the health and safety of our students with the goal that they be in-person in school every day.  We must do whatever we can as a community to support this effort.

At the end of June, it appeared that we would be in a different place for August 31. Families looked forward to going on vacation, reconnecting with friends and relatives, and enjoying a well-deserved break.   During the past 8 weeks, a growing concern about the Delta variant has caused us to hit the” pause button” and reconsider how we need to begin the school year.

It is my greatest hope that this is temporary and we will be able to reach a greater level of normalcy in the weeks to come. We continue to monitor this situation and will alter protocols accordingly. The following protocols will be in effect for the month of September.  

WPS HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS SEPTEMBER 2021

All Weston Public Schools will reopen the 2021-22 school year as we ended in the spring with full day, in-person schooling.  There is no option for voluntary distance learning.

Vaccination

  • Vaccination is the most important prevention strategy and we encourage all eligible students/staff to be fully vaccinated prior to the start of school.
  • To avoid being quarantined, please provide the school nurse with a copy of your vaccination card. This may be an electronic or hard copy.  (WMS Nurse email luzbenedict@westonps.org  and WHS Nurse & WPS Nursing Supervisor email sherylzulkeski@westonps.org ).

    • Masks

  • Governor Lamont  has extended executive orders, which include the mask mandate for schools, through September 30th.   All students and staff will be required to wear masks in the classroom in September.  (The Governor’s Executive Order 13  continues most of Executive Order 12A. Here are the links for additional clarification)
  • The district will continue to consult with our local health director and medical advisor for guidance  and update requirements in alignment with the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) and Department of Public Health. (DPH)
  • The current CDC Order requires masking on school buses. In addition, students are not permitted to ride a different  bus to another house.
  • Masks will not be required for outdoor activities including recess and physical education. We will continue to provide mask breaks during the school day.

    • Contact Tracing and Quarantine

  • Students should remain home when sick and parents should contact the school nurse.
  • Families and staff should notify the nurse if they or their children have had contact with
  • someone who is positive for COVID-19.
  • Vaccinated individuals will not be required to quarantine or isolate if asymptomatic and the school nurse has a copy of the vaccination card.
  • Any unvaccinated masked student who is seated less than 3 feet from another student diagnosed with COVID-19 will need to quarantine.
  • Any student- vaccinated or unvaccinated- who is seated at least  3 feet or more from another student  diagnosed with COVID-19 does not need to be quarantined as long as the exposed student is asymptomatic and wearing a mask.
  • The length of the quarantine is 10 calendar days. There is an option out of this 10 day quarantine if the individual provides the nurse with a negative COVID test after 5 days. The quarantine will then be 7 days in duration.The student can return on the 8th day.  The test must be a PCR and cannot be a rapid or home test. 
  • Students who are required to quarantine will access their school work remotely. Teachers will check in with quarantined students daily.
  • If a student tests positive on a school bus, students who are vaccinated, asymptomatic and have provided the school nurse with a vaccination card will not be quarantined.   Any unvaccinated student riding the bus will need to be quarantined.

    • School Day

  • Hand sanitizing stations will remain in the entrances to all schools, in classrooms, and throughout the building.
  • WPS will practice physical distance and achieve the 3 feet whenever possible. 
  • Per our Board of Ed Policy food is not part of classroom and school celebrations
  • Music, including choral and instrumental groups and ensembles, will be permitted to practice and perform in accordance with the guidance issued by CSDE and DPH.
  • Food service operations will resume.  School lunches will be served in the common areas at WIS, WMS & WHS.  Students will eat lunch primarily in their classrooms at HES.
  • Co-curricular activities and clubs will resume. Students must wear masks and practice physical distancing in doors. 
  • Athletics will resume in accordance with CIAC, CSDE and DPH guidance. Spectators will be permitted at games (outdoor and indoor) and spectators must be masked indoors. (Here is the link for additional clarification) http://www.casciac.org/pdfs/CIACFall2021COVIDSportGuidance– 8-12-21.pdf
  • Parent meetings will be virtual until further notice. This includes Back to School Nights.
  • New student orientations, Meet the teacher, and Meet the Coaches will take place in person. Individuals must wear masks for these events if held in the building. Additional protocols will be shared by individual schools.
  • No volunteers will be permitted in school the month of September.

    • The Weston Board of Education will review  COVID protocols on August 18th at a  special  meeting beginning at 6:30 PM. A zoom link will be set up for board of education members as well as a live stream of the meeting, which will be posted on the district website.

    An updated health and safety plan will be posted on the district website by the end of August.

    To  say that the past 18 months, from March 2020 to August 2021 has been challenging is an understatement. Reflecting on what we accomplished during that time, I am in awe of our staff,  students, and families. Our community has persevered demonstrating the collective strength and resilience that defines Weston.  As I begin my 37th year in Weston and my first as Superintendent, I know that working together and with a steadfast commitment to our children, we can do this.

    Thank you. 

    Lisa Wolak

    Superintendent

    This press release was produced by Weston Public Schools.The views expressed here are the author’s own.

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