Superintendent's Message
January 30, 2022
Dear Families:
Good Evening! Admittedly a big storm arriving on Saturday is a relief to any superintendent! I hope you enjoyed the slower pace yesterday and were energized by the clean-up today in the bright winter sunshine.
Weekend Snowstorm
With great appreciation to our school crews and the Towns of Concord and Carlisle, we are ready for a regularly scheduled day tomorrow. These crews worked tirelessly this weekend to get us here. Thank you!!
In the Spotlight
Tonight, I highlight a very special recent event involving two CCHS students and the honor they had at a Boston Bruins game that was historic and noteworthy. Dallas (’21) and Toryn (’24) Jackson assisted in raising the banner for Willie O’Ree’s No. 22 who broke the color barrier into the NHL. The sisters and their story were highlighted in the Concord Journal last week which is an incredible read. We are all inspired by the event, its implications, and the opportunity it brings us to realize the importance of our own work in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Draft 2022-2023 School Calendar
On Tuesday night, the Joint School Committees will review the first draft of the 2022-2023 academic calendar which is posted here. The second reading and vote for approval are scheduled for February 15.
COVID
We will begin the at-home antigen testing program this week with tests being distributed at the schools in preparation for at-home testing on Friday. Pooled testing continues as it did previously. We continue to see a decline in COVID cases with 41 in total last week. The COVID Dashboard is continually updated.
Concord Special Election Information- February 3, 2022
The Concord Town Clerk’s office asked that we share information about the upcoming election. The notice linked here includes a sample ballot, absentee voting information, and precinct voting locations which have changed for some residents.
Have a great night!
Best,
Laurie
January 27, 2022
Dear Families,
This is a reminder that the deadline to register for the free at-home antigen testing program is tomorrow at noon. Please see the information below. You do not need to engage in pool testing to participate.
Have a great night!
Best,
Laurie
At-Home Antigen Testing
We are participating in the state’s new at-home weekly antigen testing program. All of the details are found in this letter. You need to enroll yourself in the antigen program. Please use this student opt-in form. At-home testing should be conducted before school on Fridays.
The deadline to register for next week is Friday, January 28 at noon.
January 26, 2022
Dear Families:
As we have throughout the pandemic, we are ready to adjust the COVID protocols based on the local data. Thankfully, this time we are adjusting in a less restrictive direction given the quick decline of cases. Simultaneously, we have been preparing to implement the state’s new testing program which is outlined below and includes free home antigen testing at least through April of 2022. There is a great deal of information in tonight’s updates (including the linked documents) so we ask that you take the time to read the information carefully. As always, please do not hesitate to let us know if you have any questions.
Best,
Laurie
Protocol Updates
The surge is quickly subsiding so we are returning to less restrictive protocols. They are all found in the updated COVID Protocol Document.
Highlights of the changes:
- Return to no distancing in classrooms effective immediately
- Return to in-person adult meetings as we were pre-surge effective immediately
- Vaccinated individuals with COVID in the household can attend school while monitoring for symptoms
- School-based contract tracing is being eliminated for school-based exposures
- Elementary students will return to the cafeterias for lunch as of Monday
- Test and Stay is eliminated except in preschool
Testing Program
At-Home Antigen Testing
We are participating in the state’s new at-home weekly antigen testing program. All of the details are found in this letter. You need to enroll yourself in the antigen program. Please use this student opt-in form. At-home testing should be conducted before school on Fridays.
The deadline to register for next week is Friday, January 28 at noon.
Pool Testing
Pool testing will continue as it has previously. If you have not signed up but would like to participate, please use this link: Electronic Consent Form
January 23, 2022
Dear Families:
We officially reached the midway point of the school year! I am looking forward to what the second half of the year brings.
In the Spotlight
The school lunch program may have been among the most COVID impacted departments in the school system. Food Service Manager Bryce MacKnight and staff rose to the challenge by creating an all electronic ordering system and reinventing menus. The outcome has been impressive and delicious! Below is this week’s menu for CCHS which looks like one you might find at any restaurant that serves lunch.
With USDA support, all school lunches are free this year. We hope you will check out the menus and ordering portals at all of the schools which are posted here. We are grateful to the cafeteria staff for this energy and commitment during changing times!
COVID
Later this week, we will share important updates to the testing program based on changes presented by DESE last week. We also plan to roll back some of the restrictions put in place at the beginning of January given the decline in cases. Please watch for this additional information. The COVID Data Dashboard is updated daily.
Concord Middle School Project
Thank you to those who attended and supported the middle school project at Thursday’s Special Town Meeting! A ballot vote on the project will be held on February 3.
Concord Special Election Information- February 3, 2022
The Concord Town Clerk’s office asked that we share information about the upcoming election. The notice linked here includes a sample ballot, absentee voting information, and precinct voting locations which have changed for some residents.
Have a great night!
Best,
Laurie
January 19, 2022
Dear Families:
I’m sharing information about an upcoming vaccine clinic at CCHS focused primarily on booster shots for ages 12-15. Please be sure to bring your vaccine card and dress warmly in case you are asked to wait outside to limit crowd sizes in the building.
Have a great night!
Laurie
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
4:00-9:00pm
Concord Carlisle High School Cafeteria
500 Walden Street
Concord, MA 01742
Link to Register for an Appointment
January 17, 2022
Dear Families:
The long weekends are always welcome. The storm this morning made it even more fortuitous so there were no decisions to be made about opening, delays, or closing!
This Week’s Spotlight
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I highlight two programs focused on fostering inclusion and respect for all in our schools.
Boston Celtics Playbook Initiative
Concord Middle School began participating in the Playbook Initiative a number of years ago. The program focuses on anti-discrimination and bias prevention. Role playing and peer leaders are integral to the training. Visit the Playbook Initiative website to learn more. Below is a photo from last year’s training.
ADL Peer Training Program
The district has been involved with the Anti-Defamation League’s Peer Training Program for a number of years at CCHS. This program focuses on the impact peers can have in creating a culture of respect and inclusion. We are excited to have the program continue again this year. More information is found at the ADL Peer Training Program website.
Concord Middle School Project
Concord Special Town Meeting is Thursday, January 20 at 7 p.m. at CCHS. A drive-in option is now available in the CCHS parking lot due to COVID. Please see the details in the Town of Concord’s Special Town Meeting Update.
If you plan to attend in-person, it is strongly recommended that you shuttle from Alcott or the Court House parking lots.
COVID Updates
Positive Cases: We are seeing a decline in COVID cases from what is hopefully the peak of the surge. The COVID Dashboard will be updated throughout the week, usually late in the afternoon and evening.
Vaccine Booster Clinic Ages 12-15
A booster clinic for students ages 12-15 is scheduled for January 25 at CCHS. We will send the link and registration information as soon as we have it.
Calendar 2022-2023
We will soon be developing the 2022-2023 calendar with an anticipated approval by mid to late February.
Have a great night!
Best,
Laurie
January 11, 2022,
Dear Families:
I write to let you know that we are still awaiting yesterday’s pool testing results at all of the schools. The labs are facing significant volume so this is not unexpected.
As mentioned, we were watching a group of cases in a Thoreau Kindergarten classroom. Yesterday, I consulted with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the public health officials. It was decided that if we had another positive case in that room then we would shift to remote learning for the remainder of the week. We did learn of another positive case this morning so that shift will start tomorrow.
We are constantly watching the data and patterns. Each situation comes with its own context, age level of the students, and other unique aspects. We will be considering all of that carefully before any decisions are made. I do not expect large numbers of remote classrooms but very occasional short-term situations like this one.
Stay warm and have a wonderful evening!
Best,
Laurie
January 9, 2022
Dear Families:
I hope you enjoyed the unplanned three day weekend! COVID is among the updates tonight while I also share other district events and appreciation.
In the Spotlight
It goes without saying that among the many unsung heroes of the pandemic are the school nurses. This past week as COVID surged and school reopened, the role they play in supporting students, staff, and families was very evident. Their dedication and commitment are unending as COVID makes school nursing an around-the-clock job. Please join me in thanking them! The photo below is from 2020 and is missing CCHS Nurse Sara Sequeira and includes Carlisle Public School nurses Lauren Sawyer and Lori Desjardin. Finally, I would be greatly remiss not to appreciate the unwavering support of Public Health Nurse Tricia McGean.
Concord Public School and CCHS Nurses: Paula Amante, Kari DeCapua, Michele Mosher, Lisa Koski, Polly King, Mary Jenkinson, Meg Jensen, Patsy Sullivan.
COVID Updates
Positive Cases: As did all schools, we had an unprecedented week last week with COVID cases. Thank you for your support. The COVID Dashboard will be updated throughout the week usually late in the afternoon and evening.
Pool Testing: We will pool test again tomorrow and strongly ask that everyone participate. Pools will be reduced to 3 people so it will be simpler to identify the positive individual. Individuals are identified through antigen testing at the school without the need for a PCR test so we know the results immediately. Testing will be weekly going forward. You can enroll your child at: Electronic Consent Form
Concord Middle School Project
Two upcoming virtual coffees will provide highlights of the project to date:
Jan 12 – 11:00 AM
https://concordps.zoom.us/j/91341884727?pwd=Z0VpdmhkN3hXTEtkQ3k0RWE2NFlDUT09
Meeting ID: 913 4188 4727
Passcode: 313351
Find your local number: https://concordps.zoom.us/u/abqiDEuXex
Jan 13 – 7:00 PM
https://concordps.zoom.us/j/97886216289?pwd=NkRHTlkxN1R0dkJIUVZvVjJ4OUVyZz09
Meeting ID: 978 8621 6289
Passcode: 548756
Find your local number: https://concordps.zoom.us/u/aJan8IKpB
The CMSBC webpage provides additional information on the entire project.
Concord Free Public Library
The new Children’s Library and the Commons space are open to patrons! More details are found here: https://t.co/ubsMGXwgjH
Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration January 21 6:30 p.m. Via ZOOM
A reminder to virtually join the special celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King on the evening of January 21. Please click here for the event flyer, and RSVP in order to receive a zoom link in advance. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Andrew K. Nyamekye.
Thank you again for the partnership and collaboration. Have a great start to the week!
Best,
Laurie
January 6, 2022
Dear Families:
Due to the pending snowstorm, the Concord Public Schools, CCHS, and Ripley will be closed tomorrow, Friday, January 7, 2022.
Have a great snow day!
Laurie
January 5, 2022
Dear Families:
We are off to a good start in 2022. We know it has its challenges for families and students as well as the staff. In seeing positives, students are in school and we are running all of our extracurricular activities. We thank you for your support in making that happen.
COVID Cases
The COVID Data Dashboard tells the big picture story for the week. In breaking down the school week so far, we learned of 65 cases on Monday, 42 yesterday, and approximately 35 today.
Pool Testing Update
We will not be pool testing tomorrow as originally planned due to a backlog in testing results and the potential for a storm on Friday. We will test everyone on Monday. Results from Monday’s testing are posted on the COVID Data Dashboard. We tested over 2200 staff and students with 31 positives.
Vaccine Clinic Information- Thursday, January 6 CCHS
- Dress to possibly wait outside to minimize crowds indoors
- Remember to bring your vaccine card
And yes, I’ll be watching the forecast carefully over the next 24-36 hours! Have a good night!
Best,
Laurie
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