Superintendent’s Weekly Communication – 8.20.21

Dear Students, Staff and Families,

 

I am sending this email in an effort to provide information regarding the opening of our schools.  Listed below are several bulleted items for your information.

  • The first day of school for Grades 1-9 is on Monday, August 30, 2021.

  • All PK-12 students report to school on Tuesday, August 31, 2021.

  • Pursuant to the Executive Order of Governor McKee, all staff and students will be required to wear masks while attending school.  Executive Order 21-87

  • The work we completed on our ventilation systems in each of our schools will continue to be utilized this year to provide additional air circulation for classrooms.

  • We are working with an outside vendor to provide an asymptomatic testing system for all students.  This will allow us to remain in person more frequently by identifying positive cases.  

  • We encourage all eligible students and staff to get vaccinated.  Under current CDC guidance, Vaccinated individuals will not need to quarantine when they are determined to be close contacts with positive COVID-19 cases unless they are showing symptoms.  This will allow students and staff to come to school, in-person, on a more regular and consistent basis.

    • The Cumberland Emergency Medical Services (CEMS) will be operating a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for the 12 and older student population in Cumberland.  This clinic will be like those operated for the same target population last spring.   This clinic is for both public and private schools.  DOH estimates that there are approximately 1,362 vaccine eligible students in Cumberland. 

The clinic will be held on Monday, August 23, 2021, from 3:00-7:00pm at the Ann & Hope Building (former retail entrance on the railroad track side).    

Students less than 16 years of age must have a parent present to consent.   

The registration link is here:

https://www.vaccinateri.org/appointment/en/client/registration?clinic_id=5280&find_label=find_location&return_to=%2Fappointment%2Fen%2Fclinic%2Fsearch

Accommodations will be made for walk-up (unregistered) individuals, but it is preferred that those seeking a vaccination are registered ahead of time to facilitate clinic logistics and planning.   

 

We look forward to having our students return to school for the 2021-2022 school year. As we continue to navigate our way through the ongoing challenges, your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated.

 

Sincerely,

Philip D. Thornton, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Translate »