Superintendent's Message
April 29, 2021
Dear Families:
As mentioned last night, we are constantly reviewing and reflecting on the protocols. This week, a focus has been on the practice of having siblings of those in quarantine also isolate until a negative test is received. This has served us well and is likely the reason Alcott stayed open this winter when we had school transmission.
That said, we have to weigh the pros and cons. This week, we have an extensive number of students in quarantine given the high number of cases. The sibling practice increased that and is difficult to manage with the new need for permission to live stream. The isolation of siblings is a local protocol and not DPH or CDC practice.
As a result, we are allowing the siblings of those in quarantine to return today. If those in quarantine become symptomatic, please remember that students should not be in school if a family member is symptomatic.
I urge you to participate in the pool testing as we modify measures that were in place previously.
Finally, this week has been very difficult for the administrators and nurses notifying those needing to quarantine. We ask for your cooperation and patience as we work together to keep school open.
Best,
Laurie
April 28, 2021
Dear Families:
I wanted to provide updates on a few COVID related items.
New Cases
Today, we learned of two new cases: 1 CCHS student and an adult in the central office in the pool testing. Our total since Saturday is 15 cases.
Masks Needed Outside at School
As you know, the Governor is beginning to relax the mask mandate outside for vaccinated individuals who can distance. At a meeting with the Commissioner of Education yesterday, it was made clear to superintendents that schools should not relax masks at this time for anyone, even those vaccinated. We will be sure to let everyone know when the rule does relax which I expect will not happen before we are out in June.
Siblings and Quarantine
With the onset of quarantines this week, we know it is hard to follow the related protocol of siblings staying home until a negative test is received. We do expect to revisit that once we are through this week after vacation. With so many new cases, it is prudent while as we manage the impact of the vacation and acclimate to the lesser distance and full schools.
Last Day of School
June 16 is half-day and the last day for students for the 2020-2021 school year. This is one day later than originally scheduled because of the traditional snow day that we had this winter. I know people are starting to plan the summer so thought it would be helpful to share as a reminder.
Enjoy the night!
Best,
Laurie
April 27, 2021
Dear Families:
I write to share 4 positive COVID cases today:
1 CCHS student
1 CCHS staff
2 Alcott students
We conducted contact tracing as needed for two cases and appreciate your cooperation. Have a good night.
Best,
Laurie
April 26, 2021
Dear Families:
We had a successful day with everyone back at the middle and high schools! Thank you!
We did learn of 4 student COVID cases in the last 24 hours. None of them have been in school since April 16. They are as follows:
2 Thoreau
1 Willard
1 CCHS
A number of the recent cases are from travel. Several are not. One case exposed a large number of children at social activities this weekend resulting in extensive quarantines. Please continue to take care and avoid groups outside of school. We’ve worked so hard to fully open that we want everyone to be able to attend and even more importantly not create a situation where closing for a few weeks is a needed option.
Thank you all for a great day!
Best,
Laurie
April 25, 2021
Dear Families:
As follow-up to the full time elementary return, we are excited (and a bit anxious) to welcome back all middle and high school students tomorrow while supporting those who will stay remote. It feels like the first day of school all over again as we restructure routines and recreate safety protocols. I offer a few reminders and resources to make tomorrow go smoothly.
COVID Cases
The vacation week was very quiet for new COVID cases until Friday night. Since then 4 student cases were reported: 1 Willard, 1 CMS, and 2 CCHS. Our total case count this year is 184 to date.
Asymptomatic Pool Testing
We continue to urge you to participate in the pool testing that will ensure we isolate any asymptomatic positive cases. With thanks to the CMS PTG compiling the information, here are reminders of how it works and how to sign up:
Myth #1: If my child’s pool tests positive, my child will have to quarantine for 10 days.
Fact #1: If your child’s pool tests positive, they will only have to quarantine until they perform an individual test and receive a negative result. For this purpose, the district is now accepting the AFC Urgent Care rapid molecular ID NOW test, which gives immediate results to minimize quarantine time. Each time that a Concord pool has tested positive so far, the positive individual within the pool was identified within hours using this method.
Myth #2: If my child participates in pooled testing, they will frequently have to perform individual tests because their pool will test positive often.
Fact #2: This program has performed over 10,000 tests to date in the Concord schools, and from those only three pools have turned up positive so far. For the vast majority of participants, pooled testing has provided a weekly confirmation that they are still COVID free.
Myth #3: If my child participates in pooled testing, they will have to endure an uncomfortable and invasive sampling procedure every week.
Fact #3: If you had a PCR test done in 2020, you may remember a scratchy swab going much further into your nose than you would like. Pooled testing swabs and procedures today are much better than this. The swabs are now as soft as a Q-Tip and only the cottony head of the swab enters the nostril. It is not a deep swab.
With the return to fully in-person learning, expanding our testing to over 2,500 students will be key in helping to maintain a safe environment for all. We need your help. If you haven’t already provided consent in Aspen for your child to take part, please do so. Our thanks to the families of the 1,700+ students who are already part of the program.
Update CMS and CCHS Bus Routes
The Transportation Department worked tirelessly to create routes with more capacity on them so all CMS and CCHS students wanting to ride could do so while maintaining three feet of distance. Those routes are posted here:
Concord Middle School Updated Routes April 2021
Concord Carlisle High School Updated Routes April 2021
CMS and CCHS Full Return Information
Both principals have posted extensive details to assist CMS and CCHS families in preparing for tomorrow’s full return. You can find that information on the school webpages as noted below.
Concord Middle School Information
Concord Carlisle High School Information
Travel Protocol
As you return from break, it is critical that the travel protocol be followed. We are so grateful for the ongoing cooperation. Below is what is posted on the district webpage as to our current process for Out of State Travel:
The protocols of the Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District remain more conservative than the state’s travel advisory dated March 22, 2021. All students who travel must provide a negative PCR test after returning to Massachusetts. Antigen and pool tests will not be accepted. We will accept a rapid molecular ID NOW test. This does not apply to travel out of state for less than 24 hours.
If a student has had COVID within the last 90 days then a PCR test is not required but proof of the positive test may be required. If a child were COVID positive more than 90 days prior to travel, the PCR test is required upon return to Massachusetts.
If a student is fully vaccinated (14 days post-second shot of vaccine), a PCR test is not required. The schools require proof of vaccination be provided for any child that has traveled.
As of April 26, 2021, CMS and CCHS students who remain home awaiting test results will not be able to live stream into the classroom due to the full return of all students to in-person learning.
So Deeply Appreciative of the Moment
When we closed on March 12, 2020, we had no idea that it would take over 12 months to welcome all students back to our school buildings. We learned that the relationships and connections make a school, not the facility. That said, we also learned what was invaluable in those relationships and what we would never again take that for granted. So, it is worth taking a moment to appreciate the significance of tomorrow’s return and all that it symbolizes about we learned matters the most: being together. It will come with new challenges as we change the variables. It will require a new type of partnership as we support each other through the transition. The collaboration that got us this far will get us through the next seven weeks. There is so much to be grateful for.
Please let us know if you have questions. We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!
Best,
Laurie
April 20, 2021
Dear Families:
Accountability has been served today for George Floyd and his family. We sympathize with our Black students, families, and staff for having to bear the pain and trauma of this unnecessary and senseless murder. The trial is a reminder that we cannot afford to be silent or be uncomfortable talking about the reality of institutional and systemic racism that has plagued this country for centuries. We must be visible and courageous in our resolve to work for the change we want to see in this country and in our communities by actively dismantling racism, racist policies, white supremacist ideologies, and demanding racial justice, racial equity, and accountability.
The national outrage over racism towards our BIPOC (Black, Indigenous People of Color) community compels us to stand together universally and vehemently condemn vile and racist behaviors. The need for sustained, willful acts of kindness and love that promote unity, and more importantly, an understanding of our nation’s racist history, is vital to healing the damage that has led to centuries of deepening racial disparities and lasting negative consequences for our BIPOC communities.
We extend our commitment to creating a safe and welcoming space beyond the walls of our schools. We encourage everyone to make their voices heard and discuss these events and the racial unrest we are bearing witness to in our country in an honest and meaningful way. We stand united to defend and support our diversity of race, gender, religion, national origin, gender identity, color, ancestry, sexual orientation, and ability for all members of our community.
Best,
Laurie
April 16, 2021
Dear Families:
Despite today’s weather, we have reached spring break!
During the break, please use our COVID email account for any COVID reporting or questions since that is the only account that will be monitored consistently: covid@concordps.org
Our case counts are down with only two cases this week. Case counts in the state remain high, however, so please remember distancing and masks as well as to follow the travel protocols.
Have a wonderful week! We look forward to having everyone back on the 26th!
Best,
Laurie
April 15, 2021
Dear Families:
As you know, we recently created position a Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) position to lead the district into the next phase of our cultural competency and anti-racism work. Goals for the position include:
- to bring a diversity, equity, and anti-racist lens to every aspect of the functioning of the districts;
- to improve student experience, particularly for black and brown students;
- to provide faculty and staff with support on cultivating a school culture that is inclusive and elicits a sense of belonging for all students, families, and employees;
- to support all administrators in decision making;
- to be a resource for families and community members; and,
- to be a liaison with community groups and institutions on behalf of the school system.
I am very excited to announce that current METCO Director, Andrew Nyamekye, will serve as our Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as of July 1, 2021. Mr. Nyakekye has a Master of Arts in Intercultural Relations and has strong connections with students, staff, and families. He often leads professional development in cultural competency and anti-racism education and is integral to the hiring processes for expanding diversity among the staff. We are anxious to have Mr. Nyamekye help us accomplish our goals of an inclusive, safe, and supportive learning environment for all students and their families.
The Districts will host a public session on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 7 p.m. to introduce Mr. Nyamekye and discuss the future of this important work.
We also invite METCO families to join us on Wednesday, April 28 at 6 p.m. to dialogue about the search process for a new METCO Director with whom Mr. Nyamekye will work.
This position and Mr. Nyamekye bring a great energy and momentum for this work to come.
Best,
Laurie
April 12, 2021
Dear Families:
I wanted to be sure we are communicating as clearly as possible about the travel protocols in preparation for the upcoming vacation. We had feedback and so I am sending this with more detail than in my email over the weekend.
With the vacation coinciding with the return of all students at CMS and CCHS, it brings new factors to the circumstances. The Out of State Travel section of the district webpage is updated and is pasted below.
The protocols of the Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District remain more conservative than the state’s travel advisory dated March 22, 2021. All students who travel must provide a negative PCR test after returning to Massachusetts. Antigen and pool tests will not be accepted. We will accept a rapid molecular ID NOW test. This does not apply to travel out of state for less than 24 hours.
If a student has had COVID within the last 90 days then a PCR test is not required but proof of the positive test may be required. If a child were COVID positive more than 90 days prior to travel, the PCR test is required upon return to Massachusetts.
If a student is fully vaccinated (14 days post the second shot), a PCR test is not required. The schools require proof of vaccination be provided for any child that has traveled.
As of April 26, 2021, CMS and CCHS students who remain home awaiting test results will not be able to live stream into the classroom due to the full return of all students to in-person learning.
This information is accurate to the best of our ability and reflects practice as of April 12, 2021.
Our only goal is for a smooth week after the break when we have everyone back for the first time. We know this can be frustrating and certainly wish that it was simpler. Please let us know if you have any questions. And as always, thank you for the cooperation and support.
Best,
Laurie
April 11, 2021
Dear Families:
I hope you had a great weekend! We are excited to be going into the week before spring break. We are also asking for your help both during the break and as we return all students on April 26.
Two Positive COVID Cases
Yesterday, we had a positive pool at CMS leading to a positive student case. Today, we learned of a positive CCHS student. Close contacts are being identified and quarantined.
Pool Testing
Last week, we had 1,702 students participate in pool testing. As seen on the occasions when positive pools happen, it allows us to identify and isolate those cases. We have a goal of testing 2,500 students in order to ensure the safest environment possible.
In all three situations where we had positive student pools, we knew of the individual case within hours. Through the use of the AFC Urgent Care rapid molecular ID NOW testing (the only rapid test we accept), results have been almost immediate. I thought it was important to note that since often I hear concerns about quarantine as a reason not to test. It is definitely also worth noting that we have so far conducted 9,254 student tests since late February with only three positive pools.
With case counts still approximately 2,000 per day in the state even with 25% of the population vaccinated, this asymptomatic testing will be a key tool when all students return after the break. We are all looking forward to the vaccine availability for all young people.
If you haven’t already provided consent in Aspen and enrolled your child, please do so. The test is very quick and non-disruptive. We greatly appreciate all of those who are already participating.
Travel
We will ask you to consider travel with caution especially as it coincides with the upcoming school vacation and full return to school.
The protocols of the Concord Public Schools remain more conservative than the state’s travel advisory dated March 22, 2021. All students who travel must provide a negative PCR test after returning to Massachusetts. Antigen and pool tests will not be accepted.
If a student has had COVID within the last 90 days then a PCR test is not required but proof of the positive test may be required. If a child were COVID positive more than 90 days prior to travel, the PCR test is required upon return to Massachusetts.
If a student is fully vaccinated (14 days post-vaccine), a PCR test is not required. The schools require proof of vaccination to be provided for any child that has traveled.
We are so very grateful for the support and collaboration that brought us to this point in the school year and look forward to continuing that partnership throughout the spring.
Have a great night!
Best,
Laurie
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