February 11, 2022
Dear Students, Parents and Staff,
As you are aware, Governor McKee has announced that the statewide mandate for wearing masks in schools will end on Friday, March 4, 2022. This will now leave each school district to decide on whether or not to continue with wearing masks while in school.
While this news is encouraging, with the anticipation that the pandemic is going in the right direction, we still must be diligent in maintaining the health and safety of our school community. Over the past five weeks we have seen the rate of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 in Cumberland drop dramatically.
|
Week ending 1/8/22 |
Week ending 1/15/22 |
Week ending 1/22/22 |
Week ending 1/29/22 |
Week ending 2/5/22 |
|
3,082 / 100,000 |
2,750 / 100,000 |
1,662 / 100,000 |
975 / 100,000 |
493 / 100,000 |
As you know, this data metric is looked at closely when determining whether safety restrictions can be lifted. As of yesterday, the Rhode Island rate had dropped even further. The topic of masking will be on the school committee agenda for discussion at the Thursday, February 17, 2022 meeting.
Positive Covid-19 Cases
The Positive Covid-19 Cases in the Schools spreadsheet is provided for your review. It is also available on the District’s website under Quick Links.
Free Covid-19 Test Kits
Free Covid-19 Test Kits will be distributed to town residents on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at the Cumberland High School back parking lot. The drive-thru distribution will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The Mayor’s Office has collaborated with the Cumberland EMS and CERT Team volunteers to host this event. Kits will be given out on a first come, first served basis.
Vaccination Clinics
The next Cumberland vaccination clinic for age groups 5-11 and 12+ is scheduled for
Saturday, February 19, 2022 at the Cumberland Public Library. You will need to register separately for each age group.
Vaccination Clinics for children and adults – RI Vaccination Clinic Sign-Up
Cumberland Public Library on Saturday, 02/19/2022
1464 Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland RI, 02864
Vaccinations offered: Pfizer-BioNTech Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine (5-11 Year Old)
Vaccinations offered: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (12+)
Age groups served: 12+
Age groups served: 5-11
Covid-19 Testing in the Schools – Voluntary
Our school district will continue to offer voluntary weekly COVID-19 testing to help schools stay safer against the risk of COVID-19. If your student has recently tested positive for COVID-19 they do not need to participate in the weekly testing for 90 days. Once your child has had a positive Covid-19 test result their Concentric account will be deactivated. After the 90 days you can sign your child back up with the link below or by contacting the Covid Department at nancy.gamache@cumberlandschools.org.
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 with the access code for your school:
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
As always, if your child develops symptoms of illness please keep him/her home. If your child has symptoms of COVID-19 please keep him/her home and have him/her tested.
Visit Portal RI to find a testing site and make an appointment. You can also call 844-857-1814 to schedule an appointment.
I hope you are able to get outside and enjoy these warmer weather days.
I’m sure everyone is looking forward to the upcoming winter recess February 21 – 25.
Sincerely,
Philip D. Thornton, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools