Superintendent’s Communication – 1.28.22
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Superintendent’s Communication – 1.7.22
January 7, 2022
Dear Students, Parents and Staff,
I am sure you are aware of the new RIDOH guidance on shortening quarantine and isolation periods that was issued on 1/6/22 – RIDOH Memorandum. We will be adopting these new standards effective Tuesday, 1/11/22 and if your child is affected by the change, you will be receiving a revised notice from your school on Monday.
Please keep in mind that now, more than ever, given the new guidance, it is important for you to monitor your child at home for symptoms of COVID-19. There may be times where we send students home for what seem like minor symptoms when they fall into a newly exempted category. We are doing this at the direction of the RI Department of Health and to preserve the safety of our students and staff. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation while we navigate the ever changing guidance from our state and federal agencies.
If you have any questions regarding the new guidance, please contact your child’s school principal or nurse.
Sincerely,
Philip D. Thornton, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools… Read More...
Superintendent’s Communication – 1.1.22
January 1, 2022
Dear Students, Parents and Staff,
Happy New Year!
We would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year!
As we return to school on Monday, January 3, 2022 there are a few items of importance that I would like to share with you:
Covid-19 Testing in the Schools – Voluntary – Re-register or Register
As you may be aware, our school district has chosen to participate in Operation Expanded Testing, a program supported and funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide COVID-19 testing to K-12 schools at no cost to the school. Participation in this program is entirely VOLUNTARY and helps schools stay safer against the risk of COVID-19.
We were previously testing but paused due to a vendor change from Affinity to Concentra.The transition process is almost complete. If you had previously registered to have your child tested in school you will need to re-register. You may also register now if you were not previously enrolled but now wish to participate. Please remember this is entirely voluntary and no students will be tested unless you opt in and the student is registered by a parent or guardian.
To opt into the program, please visit the following site:
https://testcenter.concentricbyginkgo.com/minor-consent
School: BF Norton – ACCESS CODE: BFNORTON
School: Ashton – ACCESS CODE: ASHTONELEM
School: Community – ACCESS CODE: 352X09
School: Garvin – ACCESS CODE: GARVINELEM
School: Cumberland HIll – ACCESS CODE: CUMBHILLELEM
School: North Cumberland Middle – ACCESS CODE: NORTHCUMBERLANDMIDDLE
School: McCourt Middle – ACCESS CODE: MCCOURTMIDDLE
School: CUMBERLAND HIGH SCHOOL: CUMBHS
Quarantine –
You may have seen the updated CDC guidance on quarantine protocols. We received confirmation yesterday that the State of Rhode Island is not yet adopting these new protocols for schools. They may be considering adopting the new protocols in the coming weeks depending upon the review by the RI Department of Health.
Cumberland schools will continue to follow the recommendation option as follows:
People with one (1) major symptom or two (2) minor symptoms of COVID-19 need
to isolate, go home, and get tested.
Any ONE Major symptom: •Cough (new) •Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- New loss of taste or smell
Any TWO minor symptoms: Fever or Chills •Muscle or body aches •Headaches
- Sore throat •Fatigue •Congestion or runny nose (new)
Effective immediately, per RI Department of Health Guidance, asymptomatic siblings/household members (both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated) to remain in school pending test results for the symptomatic individuals.
Unvaccinated individuals determined to be close contacts will be placed in quarantine unless they fall within an approved classroom or bus exemption as approved by the Rhode Island Department of Health. Unvaccinated individuals placed in quarantine will be able to return to school on the 8th day after the close contact exposure if they receive a negative PCR or Antigen test on day 5 or later of quarantine.
Please note that vaccinated individuals will not have to quarantine unless they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19.
Covid-19 Testing
If you have Covid-19 symptoms, testing is available. Please go to covid.ri.gov/testing.
Students and staff in Pre K-12 schools or child care can schedule a COVID-19 test
Vaccination Clinics
We encourage everyone to get vaccinated and, if eligible, boostered as the best way to prevent COVID-19.
Vaccination Clinics for children and adults – RI Vaccination Clinic Sign-Up
The Covid-19 vaccine is available for children ages 5 – 11.
You can learn more about the vaccine at covid.ri.gov/5to11vaccinefaqs.
**The next Cumberland vaccination clinic (ages 5-11) is scheduled on Thursday, January 6, 2022 (Ann & Hope Building)**
Here is some information about Upcoming Vaccination Clinics for Children Ages 5-11 by School District and Community Vaccination Clinics (open to the public).
As always, the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff in the schools is very important.
I feel that it is in the best interest of our students for us to remain in school as we continue to navigate through this pandemic.
Sincerely,
Philip D. Thornton, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools… Read More...
Superintendent’s Communication – 12.22.21
December 22, 2021
Dear Students, Parents and Staff,
Happy Holidays!
On behalf of the entire Central Office Administration Team, I would like to wish everyone a joyous and heartwarming holiday.
This time of year is always special and these last couple of years have made us all want to enjoy time with our family and friends even more. Please take a moment to reflect on the many challenges we all have had to overcome as we celebrate the holiday season. The students, administrators, faculty and staff have worked very hard to maintain a safe and successful learning environment for everyone. We are looking forward to having our students back in school on Monday, January 3, 2022.
Please do your part to stay safe when socializing with others by wearing a mask, keeping your distance, having proper ventilation when gathering indoors and stay home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms.
It is important to know that in most cases, fully vaccinated students will not need to quarantine. Our student vaccination rates in the District are at 47% as of December 15, 2021. Listed below are links to scheduled upcoming vaccination clinics.
We are hopeful that the holiday recess will give everyone a chance to rest and relax. Our wish to you is that your holidays are filled with joy, laughter and lasting memories.
Covid-19 Testing
If you have Covid-19 symptoms, testing is available. Please go to covid.ri.gov/testing.
Vaccination Clinics
Vaccination Clinics for children and adults – RI Vaccination Clinic Sign-Up
The Covid-19 vaccine is available for children ages 5 – 11.
You can learn more about the vaccine at covid.ri.gov/5to11vaccinefaqs.
**The next Cumberland vaccination clinic (ages 5-11) is scheduled on Thursday, January 6, 2022 (Ann & Hope Building)**
Here is some information about Upcoming Vaccination Clinics for Children Ages 5-11 by School District and Community Vaccination Clinics (open to the public).
Positive Covid-19 Cases
The Positive Covid-19 Cases in the Schools spreadsheet is provided for your review and will be updated on a weekly basis. It is also available on the District’s website under Quick Links.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Newly Installed Playground at the Cumberland High School Transitional Building – Swing Space
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Tuesday, December 8, 2021 for the newly installed playground at the Cumberland High School Transitional Building. The playground is located just outside the building and will be utilized by the John J. McLaughlin Cumberland Hill Elementary School students during this school year. School principal Debra Malcolm cut the ribbon with kindergarten teachers, Megan O’Hare and Allison Mudge. The kindergarten students were very excited to participate and enjoyed the new playground after the ceremony. Students and staff have been at the building since the start of the school year while their school is being renovated. This is the first phase of the five-year construction plan for the elementary schools. For the 2022-2023 school year, Garvin Memorial School staff and students will be at the swing space while their school is being renovated. When all school construction phases have been completed, the Cumberland Preschool Center will be moved to this location.
“So Happy” App
Sodexo Food Service is announcing an App that provides menu and nutritional information.
Key features are:
- Updated daily to most current menu, considering product substitutions
- Nutrients displayed by item and/or meal offered
- Product allergens are listed
- Compatibility with Apple and Android
Click here for additional information – Sodexo “So Happy” App Flier
Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Philip D. Thornton, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools… Read More...