Salem Public Schools Weekly Newsletter

The Salem Public Schools weekly newsletter is available! Learn how you can register for pre-k and kindergarten, how to provide feedback on our ESSER funds and our school buildings, and more COVID-19 information https://www.smore.com/px67h

Friday, Jan 21 2022

Salem Public Schools Weekly Newsletter

The Salem Public Schools weekly newsletter is available. This week we are focusing on COVID-19 testing and vaccine clinics, a reminder about the Early Education Expo, and our winner of the snow day challenge https://www.smore.com/d16zr

Friday, Jan 14 2022

Update to COVID Protocols

Salem Public Schools Community,   We wanted to update you on some changes to our COVID protocols based on what we have learned about the Omicron variant, and the current surge the state is experiencing. As promised, we continue to review case counts and consult with state and local health officials to maintain in-person schooling while ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff. We are prioritizing our resources within the current surge and building a plan to prepare for the long-term management of the virus.  In doing so, we wanted you to be aware of some shifts to our guidance that will go into effect beginning tomorrow. Testing Consent : If unvaccinated students do not have consent when they are identified as a close contact, they will be required to quarantine for 5 days. If you have not already enrolled your student in the district’s testing program, new consent forms will be sent home in the next week. You can also sign up for consent here: https://bit.ly/SPS-TestConsent   Distancing and Masks : With the increased transmissibility of the variant, we are encouraging schools to space students at least three feet apart whenever possible. We are also purchasing KN95 masks for student use.  These should be arriving in the next two weeks.   Notifications and Contact Tracing : The current surge in COVID cases requires that we focus on classrooms where we suspect spread may be occurring. First two positive cases in a classroom: SPS will notify families after each of the first two cases of COVID-19 in a homeroom (PreK-8). All families will be asked to monitor for symptoms, but no individual close contacts will be identified.  Three or more cases in a classroom: If there is a third individual that is positive within the same class within the same week, nurses and teachers will identify close contacts for all cases. Individuals that have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days will be exempt from quarantining.   For unvaccinated close contacts that do not have consent to participate in testing, families will be called and will be required to pick up their student from school . All other families will be notified via Parent Square. We are doing our best to avoid the disruption of closing classrooms but recognize that this may be necessary should safety become a concern. We will evaluate each situation on a case-by-case basis. At the high school level, nurses will continue to work with individuals that are identified as close contacts and offer a rapid test for vaccinated individuals with consent and test to stay to unvaccinated individuals with consent on a case by case basis. Unvaccinated close contacts that do not have consent to test will be required to quarantine for five days. REMINDER - Test to Return : If individuals are positive, they must isolate for at least five days. Please see our FAQ  for further details.  Rapid Test Sites for SPS Students & Staff : SPS is working with our teams to establish places and times when families can come to get students rapid tests if they are (1) symptomatic, (2) at home close contacts, or (3) testing to return to school. We hope that this will help address testing shortages and we will be in touch with more information soon. Please know that we will continue to communicate with you and keep you informed if anything changes in the coming days and weeks.  Thank you for your continued support, partnership and understanding.  Please stay safe, warm, and healthy.   Sincerely, Stephen K. Zrike Jr.

Wednesday, Jan 12 2022

<Collins Middle School> 5th Grade Open House

Hello 5th Grade Families So happy to see so many future sharks on our last virtual open house. In this email I will link the 5th Grade Open house Folder this folder will hold the Power Points and recordings of the all the virtual open house. LINK IS HERE:   5th Grade Open House Folder 21-22 Upcoming open house dates and don't forget to sign up for a tour of the school (link below) Collins Middle School 5th Grade  OPEN HOUSE Monthly Family Meetings Monthly meetings to inform families about Collins Middle School and help smooth the transition to 6th grade.    Date   Topic February 1, 2022 STEM/Electives/Mastery Block March 1, 2022 Questions for Mr. Condon June 7, 2022 Let’s get ready for the 1st day of school! Tours for families and futures SHARK BY appointment. Please fill out the form to reserve a tour with Mr. Condon. CMS tours with Mr. Condon All meetings are at 6pm  Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8896941793?pwd=WVJzZVl0amtqdkt2VlV0UmZ2bXR6Zz09 Meeting ID: 889 694 1793      Passcode: 0S54jf Information for each meeting will be recorded and emailed to 5th grade families. Any questions please contact Principal Matt Condon at mcondon@salemk12.org .

Tuesday, Jan 11 2022

Early Education Expo for Pre-K and K for 22-23 schoo...

We are excited to tell you all about our Pre-K and Kindergarten programs at Salem Public Schools!   The SPS Early Education Expo (formally Kindergarten Expo) will be virtual on Thursday, January 20th. Join us on Zoom to hear about our amazing opportunities for our youngest students, learn about school choices, receive registration packets, and more. Childcare and interpretation will be available on site. Already know what question you have about enrolling in Pre-K or Kindergarten? You can submit it here so we can answer it at the virtual expo: https://bit.ly/AskAtKexpo For more information including the zoom link to attend the expo please go to: https://bit.ly/3EdU4ve

Monday, Jan 10 2022

Reminder & New COVID guidelines FAQ

We look forward to welcoming our students and staff back to school tomorrow! We know this winter break has included a number of communications as we work to implement updated health & safety guidance in the changing environment. We wanted to share a few quick reminders and more information for those that may have questions: Please remember to have any students or staff take the at-home rapid test today or tomorrow morning before returning to school ! If you have return-to-school questions because an individual or someone in your household has been positive or is a close contact, please reference this FAQ ( English | Spanish ).  Please remember to contact your primary care provider first for anyone that is positive or symptomatic. We also know that there have been questions about masks. There are no required changes to our mask policy for tomorrow, only recommendations. Please refer to our update on Friday, 12/31 for that recommendation or tune in Tuesday, January 4th at 4:30pm for a special Facebook live to answer your questions. We ask for your grace tomorrow morning as we stand up new protocols. Our nurses and school teams will inevitably be very busy in the morning and will be doing their best to reply to all inquiries. Please review the FAQ and guidance before asking for specific information to help us manage responses. Thank you for your continued partnership and understanding as we do our best to make this work!

Sunday, Jan 02 2022

Update on Covid-19 Practices and Protocol for a Retu...

Dear SPS Community: I hope that you are enjoying a wonderful holiday season with your family and loved ones.  As we have become accustomed to, COVID-19 is presenting us with yet another twist with the arrival of the more transmissible Omicron variant.  Over the last few weeks, Salem, like most communities in the state, has seen a significant increase in positive cases.  In response to this new variant, it is critical that we adjust our practices and procedures in order for schools to remain open for in-person learning.  We will continue to lead with health and safety so that we can minimize the interruptions to the in-person experience that has proven so valuable to our students.  Below you will find a series of measures that we plan to implement to reduce the spread and impact of the virus and its variants in the coming weeks.  We have introduced these measures in partnership with the Salem Board of Health, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Recommendation for staff and students to wear high filtration respiratory protection (at least KN95 respirators or their equivalent) or surgical masks: We are providing staff with NIOSH-approved KN95 respirators and are exploring the possibility of providing these masks to students as well.  Meanwhile, we strongly encourage all students and staff to wear surgical masks which are available at all schools.  For cloth masks to be most effective in preventing Omicron spread, they should be worn over a surgical mask. Please note that this recommendation may become a requirement if we experience concerning spread in our schools during the coming weeks.  Finding reputable sources for this PPE is critical;  Project95 is an excellent source for masks. For more information on what makes a good mask, how to fit a mask, and sourcing masks, Aaron Collins (@masknerd) has a  YouTube channel that is particularly useful (including about kids’ masks).  He has also compiled a useful  spreadsheet of mask options for children. Mandatory Vaccinations : We are extremely concerned about the health risks that accompany the virus for unvaccinated individuals.  We are working with the city of Salem and our union partners to implement a mandatory vaccination policy for all Salem Public School employees (unless there is a qualified exemption). We are still exploring additional requirements for students beyond our current requirement for high-respiration extracurricular activities. Over the next few weeks, we will be contacting the families of all students who are unvaccinated so that we can support you in securing a vaccine appointment for your child and helping to answer any questions you might have about the vaccine.  Extracurricular Events : In alignment with the city of Salem’s mandate, beginning on January 15th, all spectators and audience members will need to show evidence of vaccination, in accordance with the requirements of the City of Salem, to attend our student games and performances.  In-person Meetings : For the month of January, the Salem Public Schools is shifting all in-person meetings outside of the school day to virtual sessions.  Staffing : As you know, the virus has impacted staffing across our schools and departments this fall.  We expect these challenges to increase with the arrival of Omicron over the coming weeks.  We have a significant need for substitute teachers, nurses, and paraprofessionals.  If you or anyone you know might be interested in these opportunities, please contact us at (978) 740-1115 or humanresources@salemk12.org .  We are in the process of revising our daily rates to ensure that they are among the most competitive in the region.  Eating in Schools : We will continue to encourage students to eat outside if the weather is approximately 20 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.  Even during these colder months, we are asking that windows remain open in all our cafeterias and classrooms regardless of the outdoor temperature.  Thank you in advance for providing your children with appropriate clothing so that we can optimize airflow across our indoor spaces.  Medically Fragile Students : As a reminder, please consult with a physician and your child’s school nurse if you believe that your child’s medical condition puts them at significant risk if they contract the virus.   Quarantining Classrooms : Throughout the fall, we have shifted classrooms to virtual learning when there are three or more cases of what our contact tracers believe is a result of in-class transmission.  We will continue to follow this guidance in the new year.  With the increase of positive cases, we want to be sure that families are prepared to shift to remote instruction if the need arises in their child’s classroom.    Student and Staff Testing : As you know we have been providing weekly testing to students and staff throughout the school year.  This practice will continue, and we urge all families to sign up for this testing if they are not enrolled as of yet.  Please click  HERE to enroll.  When a student or staff member is a close contact in school, we utilize the “Test and Stay” (rapid antigen test) program for five days.  Previously, only unvaccinated individuals could participate in the testing.  Beginning next week, all vaccinated staff and students who are deemed close contacts will be able to take a test given what we have learned about the transmissibility of the Omicron variant, and have the option to participate in additional testing.  As a reminder, unvaccinated close contacts that do not consent to participate in Test and Stay must quarantine and remain symptom-free for at least five days. Isolation Guidance : With the CDC’s recent shift in guidance regarding quarantine and isolation periods, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has also updated their guidance to districts. Given the unique environment of schools, in addition to the requirements from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Salem Public Schools will require a negative antigen test to exit isolation prior to Day 10 (Day 0 being the onset of symptoms or date of a positive test). Isolation: If a student or staff member has tested positive, all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, must isolate for at least 5 days from symptom onset or from the date of the positive test. Option 1: After the 5-day period has passed, if the isolating individual has been fever-free and is not experiencing symptoms for at least 24 hours, they may take an antigen Covid test at home (NOT a PCR-based or molecular test) to be eligible to return to school. Option 2: If staff and students are unable to access a rapid test (SPS will do our best to assist in providing access), the individual must have no fever or symptoms for 72 hours without any applicable medication.   For either option 1 or 2, individuals must test negative at school upon return.  If individuals do not consent to test, they must isolate for the full 10 days, in accordance with the previous guidance on isolation times from the CDC and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Implication for Masks: Individuals participating in Test and Stay or returning to school prior to 10 days of isolation must wear their masks at all times when indoors and outdoors. In this situation, when students or staff are actively eating or drinking they must be at least 3 feet from others and may take down their mask to take a bite or sip. Students will be permitted to take a mask break outside during this time if they are at least 6 feet from other students.  Finally, we want to remind all students to administer the rapid antigen test (iHealth) provided to all students and staff prior to winter break.  We ask that all staff and students test Sunday, January 2, or in the morning prior to our return to school on Monday, January 3rd.   If your child tests positive please keep them home and notify the school nurse.  We still recommend a PCR test to confirm the positive result.  If a student or staff member tested positive on or after December 29th, please be sure to stay home Monday, January 3rd, and follow the guidance above.  If a student or staff member tested positive prior to December 29th, please follow the guidance above and utilize the rapid antigen test sent home on Sunday evening or Monday morning to determine whether return is possible.   We are grateful for your collaboration as we continue to navigate the unexpected with COVID-19.  As with everything during the pandemic, this guidance is subject to change based on the most updated information that we receive on the virus.  We appreciate your patience and understanding as we take every step to preserve the student experience in the Salem Public Schools while keeping our community as safe and healthy as possible in the new year.  Thank you as always for sharing your most precious gifts with us.    Sincerely, Stephen Zrike As a reminder, COVID-19 symptoms list: Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills or shaking chills  Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath New loss of taste or smell Muscle aches or body aches Cough (not due to other known causes, such as chronic cough) Sore throat, when in combination with other symptoms Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when in combination with other symptoms  Headache when in combination with other symptoms Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms

Friday, Dec 31 2021

Collins Middle School 5th Grade Open House

Collins Middle School 5th Grade  OPEN HOUSE Monthly Family Meetings Monthly meetings to inform families about Collins Middle School and help smooth the transition to 6th grade.   Date  Topic January 4, 2022 Meet the 6th grade teachers February 1, 2022 STEM/Electives/Mastery Block March 1, 2022 Questions for Mr. Condon June 7, 2022 Let’s get ready for the 1st day of school! Tours for families and futures SHARK BY appointment. Please fill out the form to reserve a tour with Mr. Condon. CMS tours with Mr. Condon All meetings are at 6pm  Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8896941793?pwd=WVJzZVl0amtqdkt2VlV0UmZ2bXR6Zz09 Meeting ID: 889 694 1793      Passcode: 0S54jf Information for each meeting will be recorded and emailed to 5th grade families. Any questions please contact Principal Matt Condon at mcondon@salemk12.org . PPT from November Meeting (sorry I forgot to record the ZOOM): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1eHXA8RY8jaxoOmaENjd1xGkbSdT9JuiD  

Friday, Dec 17 2021

SPS Policy on Cell Phones in School

December 15, 2021 SPS K-8 families,   I want to take a moment to clarify and remind families of our policy regarding the use of cell phones and electronic equipment (including smartwatches) in our schools.  According to our district handbook , cell phones are not permitted to be used during the school day without the authorization of a teacher or administrator.  They may only be used on school property before and after the school day.   We continue to observe that cell phones and electronic equipment are a distraction to our students during the school day.  We want our students to be present throughout the school day so that they can meaningfully engage with their peers, teachers, and the important content that is being shared with them.  Following a year of online learning, we want to more strongly emphasize the importance of face-to-face conversations and socialization to build meaningful relationships now that we can be fully in person again.     With our one-to-one Chromebook devices, students have the necessary technology to access learning in their classes.  Additionally, if a student needs to contact home during the school day, they can request to use the phone in the school’s office.  If it is necessary for a parent to reach their child during the school day, they should contact the school office to get a message to their child.   If a student must have a cell phone for safety reasons or to communicate with their families before or after school, it must be kept off and stored away through the entirety of the school day.  The school is not responsible for cell phone loss.  If a student is seen using a cell phone during school hours, schools will be implementing the following progressive discipline:  First Step: Student receives a warning. Second Step: Phone is turned into an administrator and held until the end of the school day.  Third Step: For repeated violations of this policy, the school may impose discipline, including, but not limited to: detentions, suspensions (in-school & out of school), loss of privileges (such as participation in extracurricular programs or athletics), confiscation of the phone up to and until the end of the academic year.  We ask that you review these expectations with your child as I have asked our elementary and middle schools to strongly reinforce this policy when we return from winter break on Monday, January 3rd.  We appreciate your support as we ensure that we maximize our focus on providing our students with a first-rate educational experience.       Sincerely, Stephen K. Zrike

Wednesday, Dec 15 2021

Salem Public Schools Weekly Newsletter

The Salem Public Schools newsletter is available! This week we have info about our CMS mathletes, award-winning Witches football, Understanding the report cards, and choosing an SPS logo with your input: https://www.smore.com/ycz3g

Friday, Dec 10 2021