An absurd update! SB 11-20-2020
Most of them are so this might not be a real stretch. Nor was our overall theme today as absurd outfits are actually rather typical in middle school. But it was still fun and keeping school fun is...well...more fun :-)
Translations via Google Translate
If you didn’t see the daily announcements posted on our website today, you missed this interesting tidbit submitted by Kathryn from Team Victory that she found when researching National Absurdity Day: “When the postal service first launched in 1913, children falling within the shipping weights were sent cross country by parcel service. Mailed babies were shipped off to Grandma’s house, some for as low as 15 cents plus insurance.” There is indeed a lot to unpack there.
As a reminder, next week makes our currently crazy schedule a bit more absurd. We have parent/teacher conferences scheduled for Monday afternoon and evening and Tuesday afternoon. If you were unable to schedule a conference and would like to meet with your child’s teachers...fear not..we schedule teacher meetings all year long and we can still set-up another opportunity for you at a later date. Our Fall conferences allow us to put a large number of meetings into one window for efficiency purposes, but it is also not possible to create one slot for every student that we have within the provided window of time. So, back to the crazy schedule, A Pod students only have classes Tuesday and Wednesday morning next week while B Pod students do not have any afternoon live synchronous remote sessions at all. The B Pod students leaving the building today were all clearly very sad about that fact as many gleefully wished me a Happy Thanksgiving with a spring in their step... it could also have been the absurdity of my outfit...who knows.
This week’s notes from the clinic are brought to you by the absurd WKRP Turkey Drop and once you have regained composure please read this important information:
There have been changes in the guidance around quarantining that I wanted to share with all of you. Quarantine refers to those who have been exposed to someone with a positive case. I have attached the document here but please note this paragraph:
You will need to remain quarantined for:
- at least 14 days from the date of last exposure; or
- at least 10 days, provided all of the following are satisfied:
o you have not had, and do not have, any symptoms;
o you are tested on day 8 of your quarantine period or later using a molecular diagnostic test (e.g., polymerase chain reaction (PCR)) to detect the presence of the virus;
o you receive a negative test result; and
o you monitor yourself for symptoms for the full 14 days. If you develop symptoms you should contact your health care provider and be re-tested.
This change is in Massachusetts currently-through our DPH but there have been discussions on a national level of changing the quarantine period. Data has indicated day 5 of quarantine is the average incubation period (4-6 days peak). Developing the disease after day 9 of quarantine is infrequent. (The 10 day isolation for individuals with COVID has not been changed)
I have had many people ask me about testing sites. In the past, Circle Health in Westford, Tewskbury or Billerica and Emerson Urgent Care Sites in Westford and Hudson have been the places recommended. Unfortunately, it is getting harder and harder to get appointments in a timely manner. Always call your PCP or your child’s pediatrician first if a test is warranted. You can also refer to the following “Stop the Spread” link for testing sites around the state: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread.
Beginning this weekend, NH and Maine have been added to the states that are considered high risk! That means that only Vermont and Hawaii are considered low risk states. If your family travels to any state besides Vermont and Hawaii, you will need to follow Mass Travel Orders:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order.
As always, call with any questions or concerns. Thank you for your support.
Sue Hanly, RN, MSN, NCSN
978-392-6974
This past week, I had the opportunity to participate in one of our WPS COVID Advisory Committee meetings. Both Mrs. Hanly and I are on this committee that also includes many other school nurses and administrators, multiple physicians, parents from the community, representatives from both central office as well as the school committee and the Westford Public Health department. We meet every two weeks and while I wish there wasn’t a need for this committee to exist in the first place, the conversations that we have are incredibly thoughtful and enlightening for everyone involved. We have been reviewing the specific metrics that are being used as we analyze the local data available as it pertains to the Westford Public Schools and we provide input from all our varying perspectives.
Another enjoyable meeting that I had this past week was with our School Advisory Council. We had our monthly meeting on Tuesday as we finalized our annual Stony Brook School Improvement Plan. I will be presenting the plan to the School Committee during this upcoming Monday night meeting. Once the plan is approved by the School Co we will be posting it on our website for everyone to enjoy...I apologize for the wait as I am sure the anticipation is unbearable!
If I was in a meeting with you this week that I did not highlight as enjoyable, please do not take any offense. I felt discussing more than two might really risk losing some of the readers that have made it this far into the weekly update...and the big finale is next!
Finally, last Holiday season, (imagine the sounds of wonderful music) Stony Brook supported a toy drive called ‘For the Love of Erika’ started by Taylor Leong. We will not be able to collect gifts in person this year but please see the following information if you would be interested in supporting this effort:
For the Love of Erika is a toy drive that began in Westford in memory of my friend, Erika, who passed away in 2005. Since then, FTLOE has delivered more than 20,000 presents to children in various hospitals and shelters throughout New England, as well as hosting holiday parties for families in shelters and the Department of Children and Families.
Due to COVID-19, all in-person deliveries and holiday parties have been canceled. We have maintained our commitment in providing gifts to at least 8 shelters and 3 hospitals in Massachusetts and New Hampshire that we support each year. Instead of toy collections, we are seeking monetary donations. 100% of monetary donations will go toward the purchase of gifts. The need for toys is immense, and in order to meet the goal of delivering 250+ toys, the goal is to raise least $5,000 by December 15th.
I'm so grateful for your help every year. Stony Brook has collected so many gifts in recent years, and although we can't have the typical toy drive collection, I am confident that you will be able to help tremendously through donations!
Donations can be made through our GoFundMe page, Facebook page, or checks made out to For the Love of Erika, 3 Cutter Lane, Westford MA. For any further questions, please feel free to reach out to me at tgoodmanleong@gmail.com.
Thank you so much!
Taylor
Have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Thanksgiving!
Cheers,
Chris
Dr. Christopher Chew
Principal
Stony Brook School