COVID-19

COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19
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This page is updated with information about COVID-19 and the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District.
Scroll down to find the archive of messages home to families.
Click a link in the menu on the right for current STGRSD COVID-19 protocols for staff and families.
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Email Updates from the District

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Letter from Superintendent Willard on August 30, 2022 notifying families of a vaccine clinic hosted by the Southwick Board of Health at Powder Mill School on September 15, 2022


Dear STGRSD Community,

I am happy to inform you that STGRSD, in conjunction with the Southwick Board of Health, will hold another COVID-19 vaccination clinic for all STGRSD families, including children who are at least 6-months old.

Participation in the clinic is voluntary.

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Information

When: Thursday, September 15, 2022           3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Where: Powder Mill School Auditorium

94 Powder Mill Road

Southwick, MA 01077

Parking in the Feeding Hills Road parking lot and enter through Auditorium

Who: All STGRSD community members and their family members

Must be 6-months of age or older at the time of the first shot.
Children under 18 must have parental consent.

Sign up today: Click the link below to register for the vaccination clinic.

https://bit.ly/3eoFtv6

If you have any questions about the clinic, please contact the Southwick Board of Health at awhite@southwickma.net or 413-569-1212.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools

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Letter from Superintendent Willard on June 17, 2022 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD


June 17, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. 

This week, no people in our Woodland School community, no people in our Powder Mill School Community and one person in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. 

This is our final COVID-19 email of the 21/22 school year. Wishing you all a very happy and healthy summer!

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools


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Letter from Superintendent Willard on June 10, 2022 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD


June 10, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. 

This week, no people in our Woodland School community, no people in our Powder Mill School Community and one person in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. 

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools



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Letter from Superintendent Willard on June 3, 2022 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD

June 3, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. 

This week, no people in our Woodland School community, four people in our Powder Mill School Community and eight people in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. 

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools




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Letter from Superintendent Willard on May 27, 2022 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD

May 27, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. 

This week, one person in our Woodland School community, four people in our Powder Mill Community and ten people in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. 

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools



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Letter from Superintendent Willard on May 20, 2022 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD


May 20, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter.

This week, six people in our Woodland School community, three people in our Powder Mill Community and eight people in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. 

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools



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Letter from Superintendent Willard on May 13, 2022 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD


May 13, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, six people in our Woodland School community, six people in our Powder Mill Community and fourteen people in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. 

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools




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Letter from Superintendent Willard on May 6, 2022 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD

May 6, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, ten people in our Woodland School community, five people in our Powder Mill Community and five people in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. 

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools


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Letter from Superintendent Willard on April 29, 2022 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD


April 29, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, four people in our Woodland School community, two people in our Powder Mill Community and thirteen people in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. 

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools




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Letter from Superintendent Willard on April 15, 2022 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD

April 15, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, one person in our Woodland School community, three people in our Powder Mill Community and seven people in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. 

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools



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Letter from Superintendent Willard on April 8, 2022 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD


April 8, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter.

This week, one person in our Powder Mill School community tested positive for COVID-19.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools


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Letter from Superintendent Willard on April 1, 2022 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD


April 1, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter.

This week, one person in our Powder Mill School Community and five people in our Southwick Regional School community tested positive for COVID-19.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools



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Letter from Superintendent Willard on March 25, 2022 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD


March 25, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter.

This week, one person in our Powder Mill School Community and seven people in our Southwick Regional School community tested positive for COVID-19.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools


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Letter from Superintendent Willard on March 18, 2022 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD

March 18, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter.

This week, two people in our Woodland School community, four people in our Powder Mill School community and five people in our Southwick Regional School community tested positive for COVID-19.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools




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Letter from Superintendent Willard on March 11, 2022 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD



March 11, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter.

This week, three people in our Woodland School community and1 person in our Powder Mill School community tested positive for COVID-19.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools

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Letter from Superintendent Willard on March 4, 2022 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD


March 4, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter.

This week, one person in our Woodland School community, five people in our Powder Mill School community and four people in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools


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District notifies families that masks are no longer required on STGRSD transportation due to policy change.

March 1, 2022

Dear STGRSD Families

At tonight’s School Committee meeting, the committee voted to accept a revised mask policy which no longer requires students or staff to wear masks on school buses. The new policy is effective immediately.

As with the previous policy, anyone who wishes to wear a mask is encouraged to do so. Masks are still required in the following circumstances:

  • Masks will be required in all school health offices
  • Students and staff returning from 5 day quarantine following a positive COVID test must follow strict mask use through day 10 of exposure

A copy of the new policy EBCFA Face Coverings is available here.

We will continue to update families if there is any additional information related to changing COVID-19 protocols.

Thank you all for your continued patience and support.

Sincerely,

Southwick-Tolland-Granville
Regional School District
 


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Letter from Superintendent Willard on February 18, 2022 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD


February 18, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, five people in our Woodland School community and one person in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. All school-based contact tracing has been completed and anyone affected has been notified.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools



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Letter from Superintendent Willard on February 16, 2022 notifying families about the updated face coverings policy and at-home testing opportunities. 

February 16, 2022

Dear STGRSD Families

Please read below for important information about changes to STGRSD masking requirements, a whole community at-home testing opportunity, and opt-in for our ongoing weekly testing program.

Updated Face Coverings Policy

Last night the school committee voted to adopt a revised face coverings policy: EBFCA Face Coverings. The policy will go into effect on Monday, February 28, 2022.

Under the new policy, face coverings (masks) will be strongly recommended, but not required, for students, staff or visitors in school buildings regardless of vaccination status. Anyone who wishes to wear a mask is encouraged to do so.

Under the policy, masks are required in the following circumstances:

  • Masks will be required in all school health offices.
  • Students and staff returning from 5 day quarantine following a positive COVID test must follow strict mask use through day 10 of exposure.
  • By federal public health order, all students and staff are required to wear a mask on school buses.

Schools will continue other COVID-19 prevention protocols that are currently in effect in each building. For example, in classrooms desks will remain at least three feet apart when feasible, lunch and recess cohorts will be maintained at the elementary level and hallway traffic flow will remain one directional at Southwick Regional School. Hand sanitizer will also remain available for students and staff in all buildings. Staff and students are still required to monitor themselves for symptoms daily and anyone who is displaying symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home from school.

A copy of the new policy is available here.

Whole STGRSD Community Testing Opportunity

As part of the changes to the masking requirements, at-home rapid test kits will be available for all students and staff to administer on Sunday, February 27, 2022 as everyone returns from February break. Test kits will be distributed this week and we ask everyone to please participate in this voluntary whole community testing. No opt in is required for this one-time event:

  1. Every staff and student in the district will receive an at-home COVID-19 rapid test kit on Thursday, February 17, 2022.
  2. On Sunday, February 27, 2022 tests will be self-administered at home and individuals with positive test results will stay home from school and results will be reported to the school nurse on Monday. The School nurse will provide information about isolation and return to school.

Opt In to the Weekly Community COVID-19 Testing Program

Coinciding with the updated face coverings policy, we would like to remind everyone of our ongoing weekly community COVID-19 testing program that begins on February 28, 2022. Under our new weekly community COVID-19 testing program, staff and students who opt in will receive free COVID-19 at-home test kits to self-administer on Sunday evenings. Positive results must be reported to the school nurse.

Opt In to this voluntary program today: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckQweHUUUyVouqQ2brzV4Rgjy8wbBIN_edd32LWczsoYvjBQ/viewform

Consent to Symptomatic Testing at School

With the weekly community COVID-19 testing program we are also able to offer in-school testing for symptomatic individuals. If an individual develops COVID-19 symptoms at school, the school nurse can administer a rapid COVID-19 test. If the test is negative, the student or staff member can remain at school. Anyone who consented to our previous Test&Stay program has a consent on file but if not, a consent form can be completed online to participate in this voluntary program: https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma?district=null

Reminder that with the move to the weekly community COVID-19 testing program and symptomatic testing, contract tracing will be discontinued.



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Letter from Superintendent Willard on February 11, 2022 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD


February 11, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, two people in our Woodland School community, three people in our Powder Mill School community and four people in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. All school-based contact tracing has been completed and anyone affected has been notified.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools


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Letter from District on February 10, 2022 notifying families that the School Committee meeting has been rescheduled to February 14, 2022.

February 10, 2022

Dear STGRSD Families,

Yesterday we informed you of an upcoming meeting of the School Committee where the Committee will discuss and take action regarding the recently announced changes to the statewide mask mandate.

That meeting has been rescheduled and will now take place:

Monday, February 14, 2022

6:00 p.m.

Powder Mill School Cafeteria

The meeting will be open to the public and anyone wishing to make a public comment must appear in-person at the meeting. Community members who do not wish to attend in-person are able to view the meeting on LiveStream via ZOOM Webinar. More information is available on our website. https://www.stgrsd.org/school_committee/meetings/meeting_notices

As previously communicated, following the meeting, the district administrative team will evaluate the impact of the School Committee’s decisions and will notify families of any resulting changes to COVID-19 protocols for the district.

Sincerely,
Southwick-Tolland-Granville
Regional School District



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Letter from Superintendent Willard on February 9, 2022 notifying families that the Commissioner of Education has announced that the statewide mask requirement for K-12 schools will be lifted on February 28, 2022.

February 9, 2022


Dear STGRSD Families,

Today, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Commissioner Riley announced that the “the statewide mask requirement for K-12 schools will be lifted on February 28.” Under this new guidance, effective February 28, 2022, masking in schools will no longer be a State requirement but instead will be a local choice, determined by school committee decision. The Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School Committee is scheduled to discuss this matter and take official action at their upcoming meeting on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.

Following Tuesday’s meeting, the district administrative team will evaluate the impact of the School Committee’s decisions and will notify families of any resulting changes to COVID-19 protocols for the district.

To read Commissioner Riley’s full press release, visit the link: 
https://mailchi.mp/doe.mass.edu/press-releasestatewide-school-mask-requirement-will-be-lifted-february-28

Sincerely,
Superintendent Willard




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Letter from Superintendent Willard on February 4, 2022 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD


February 4, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, one person in our Woodland School community, five people in our Powder Mill School community and two people in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. All school-based contact tracing has been completed and anyone affected has been notified.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools


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Letter from Superintendent Willard on February 3, 2022 about updates to the COVID-19 Testing Program in Schools


February 3, 2022

Dear Caregivers,

At STGRSD, keeping your students safe and in school is our top priority. We are writing to let you know, in accordance with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Public Health (DPH), our district is updating our COVID-19 Testing Program, effective February 28, 2022. We are opting into an at-home testing program that will increase testing of our participating students and staff, regardless of vaccination status. In addition to this new at-home antigen test option, we will start symptomatic testing at school. As part of this shift in the program, we are discontinuing Test&Stay and contact tracing for in-school close contacts. This new at-home testing opportunity is voluntary and only those who opt-in will receive tests. We strongly encourage you to fill out the opt-in form by February 9, 2022 to be able to participate prior to February break. If you have questions, please contact your school nurse. 

COVID-19 Testing Programs in our Schools. All participation is voluntary.

  1. At-Home Rapid Antigen Testing
    On Sunday’s, students, with assistance from caregivers, will self-administer a rapid COVID-19 antigen test that they receive from the District.
    Students with positive test results will stay home from school on Monday and results will be reported to the school nurse. School nurse will provide information about isolation and return to school.
    To participate, you must opt in by completing the online form. By opting in, you will agree to review the training materials for test administration, report positive test results to your student’s school, and administer the tests according to STGRSD guidelines.
    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckQweHUUUyVouqQ2brzV4Rgjy8wbBIN_edd32LWczsoYvjBQ/viewform

  2. Symptomatic Testing
    Students who develop COVID-19 symptoms after arriving at school will be tested for COVID-19 by the school nurse using a rapid COVID-19 antigen test. Students who test positive must go home immediately. The school nurse will provide information about isolation and return to school. Students who test negative may return to class and stay in school.

    To participate, students must have a school testing consent form on file. This is the same consent that was required for our previous Test&Stay program. Students with consent on file do not need to sign up again. If a consent form is not on file, one can be completed online:
    https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma?district=null

While the new testing program is voluntary for all students and staff, I encourage everyone to consider participating so that we can work together to keep as many students in school as possible.

Please visit the links above to opt-in to the new program and complete consent forms.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools


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Letter from Superintendent Willard on January 28, 2022 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD

January 28, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, four people in our Woodland School community, six people in our Powder Mill School community and twelve people in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. All school-based contact tracing has been completed and anyone affected has been notified.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools


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Letter from Superintendent Willard on January 21, 2022 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD


January 21, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, 11 people in our Woodland School community, nine people in our Powder Mill School community and twenty people in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. All school-based contact tracing has been completed and anyone affected has been notified.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools


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Letter from Superintendent Willard on January 14, 2022 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD


January 14, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, twenty-two people in our Woodland School community, sixteen people in our Powder Mill School community and thirty-seven people in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. All school-based contact tracing has been completed and anyone affected has been notified.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools

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Letter from Superintendent Willard on January 10, 2022 notifying families about Commissioner Riley's extension of mask mandate through February 28, 2022. 

January 10, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Today, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley notified school districts in the Commonwealth that he will again extend the mask requirement in all K-12 public schools through February 28, 2022. The official press release can be found here: https://mailchi.mp/doe.mass.edu/press-release-dese-commissioner-extends-mask-requirement-in-schools

Click here for his full notification memo.

This extension by Commissioner Riley means that all STGRSD students, staff and visitors must continue to wear a mask in school buildings, regardless of vaccination status, through February 28, 2022.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools




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Letter from Superintendent Willard on January 7, 2022 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD.



January 7, 2022

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

Since our last report on 12/23/2021, twenty-two people in our Woodland School community, thirty-one people in our Powder Mill School community and forty-eight people in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. All school-based contact tracing has been completed and anyone affected has been notified.

It is important to note that this report represents two weeks’ worth of data and, as you can see, our community is following the national trend with a significant increase in cases. We are working very hard to practice safety protocols in schools and we thank all of the students, staff and families for their continued efforts in mitigating the spread of COVID-19.

Wishing you a safe and enjoyable weekend.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools




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Letter from Superintendent Willard on December 23, 2021 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD.


December 23, 2021

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, four people in our Woodland School community, two people in our Powder Mill School community and nineteen people in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. All school-based contact tracing has been completed and anyone affected has been notified.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools




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Letter from Superintendent Willard on December 17, 2021 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD.


December 17, 2021

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, three people in our Woodland School community, seven people in our Powder Mill School community and ten people in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. All school-based contact tracing has been completed and anyone affected has been notified.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools



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Letter from Superintendent Willard on December 10, 2021 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD.


December 10, 2021

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, four people in our Woodland School community, six people in our Powder Mill School community and four people in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. All school-based contact tracing has been completed and anyone affected has been notified.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools

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Letter from Superintendent Willard on December 3, 2021 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD.
December 3, 2021

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

Since our last report on 11/24/2021, eight people in our Woodland School community, five people in our Powder Mill School community and eight people in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. All school-based contact tracing has been completed and anyone affected has been notified.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
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Letter from Superintendent Willard on December 2, 2021 notifying families about COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic.

Dear STGRSD Community,

I am happy to inform you that STGRSD, in conjunction with the Southwick Board of Health, will hold another COVID-19 vaccination clinic for all STGRSD families, including students who are at least 5-years-old. The decision to hold the clinic is based on the results of the vaccine survey that families completed in November.

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Information
When: Dose 1: Tuesday, December 14, 2021            3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
           Dose 2: Tuesday, January 4, 2022                 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Where: Powder Mill School Auditorium
                   94 Powder Mill Road
                   Southwick, MA 01077
             Parking in the Feeding Hills Road parking lot and enter through Auditorium

Who: All STGRSD community members and their family members
         Must be 5 years of age or older at the time of the first shot. Children under 18 must have parental consent.
         Participation in the clinic is voluntary.

Sign up today: Click the link below to register for the vaccination clinic.
https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/cataldo?calendar=7a3ddc63-b0f3-4de1-ab96-eaca27cb196b

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools


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Letter from Superintendent Willard on November 24, 2021 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD.


November 24, 2021

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, four people in our Woodland School community, one person in our Powder Mill School community and one person in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. All school-based contact tracing has been completed and anyone affected has been notified.

I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving 

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools



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Letter from Superintendent Willard on November 19, 2021 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD.


November 19, 2021

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, two people in our Woodland School community, four people in our Powder Mill School community and four people in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. All school-based contact tracing has been completed and anyone affected has been notified.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools



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Letter from Superintendent Willard on November 12, 2021 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD.


November 12, 2021

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, two people in our Powder Mill School community and five people in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. All school-based contact tracing has been completed and anyone affected has been notified.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools



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Letter from Superintendent Willard on November 5, 2021 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD.


November 5, 2021

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, two people in our Woodland School community, two people in our Powder Mill School community, and two people in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. All school-based contact tracing has been completed and anyone affected has been notified. There is no evidence of in school transmission.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools



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Letter from Superintendent Willard on October 29, 2021 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD for the prior week.


October 29, 2021

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, one person in our Woodland School community and two people in our Powder Mill School community tested positive for COVID-19.
All school-based contact tracing has been completed and anyone affected has been notified. There is no evidence of in school transmission.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools


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Letter from Superintendent Willard on October 27, 2021 notifying families the State extended the mask mandate through at least January 15, 2021.


October 27, 2021

Dear Families,

Yesterday, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announced an extension of the current mask requirement for all public schools through at least January 15, 2022. This means that all students and staff at STGRSD must continue to wear a mask in all school buildings through at least January 15, 2022. All visitors are also expected to wear a mask in school buildings.

DESE has created an “off ramp” to the masking requirement based on vaccination rates of the school building population. Currently, if a school building demonstrates a vaccination rate of 80 percent or more of all students and staff in the school, an attestation form can be submitted to DESE. If the attestation form is accepted by DESE, then vaccinated individuals in that school would no longer be subject to the state mask requirement. Based on the current, combined vaccination rates of students and staff at Southwick Regional School (7-12), the 80 percent vaccination “off ramp” is not an option for STGRSD. Southwick Regional School (7-12) is the only building in our district where all students meet the 12+ age requirement for vaccination. To date, 53% of the combined staff and students at Southwick Regional School (7-12) are fully vaccinated.

The memo is also available on the DESE website: https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop/2021-1026mask-requirement-extension.pdf

I want to take this time to thank all families, students and staff for their cooperation and adherence to all of our current COVID-19 prevention protocols, including mask wearing. As result of everyone working together, our school community has kept COVID-19 numbers low and students learning, in-person!

Sincerely,
Jennifer C. Willard
Superintendent of Schools



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Letter from Superintendent Willard on October 23, 2021 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD for the prior week.


October 22, 2021

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

Below is the information for the week of October 18-22. We apologize for the delay in sending.
This week, two people in our Woodland School community, one person in our Powder Mill School community, and one person in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. All school-based contact tracing has been completed and anyone affected has been notified. There is no evidence of in school transmission.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools

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Letter from Superintendent Willard on October 15, 2021 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD.


October 15, 2021

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, one person in our Woodland School community and one person in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. All school-based contact tracing has been completed and anyone affected has been notified. There is no evidence of in school transmission.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools



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Letter from Superintendent Willard on October 12, 2021 regarding nationwide food shortages that are affecting STGRSD.


October 13, 2021

Dear STGRSD Families,

As you may be aware, nationwide food shortages are affecting school districts across the country. STGRSD is also now starting to feel the effects of the national food shortage. Our school nutrition department is experiencing out of stock items, last-minute replacements on food orders, and delayed deliveries. As a result, the cafeterias are making last-minute menu changes, but we are doing our best to notify students as soon as we are able.

We appreciate every student’s participation because it helps our school nutrition program and we ask for your patience and understanding while we navigate this new challenge.


We look forward to serving FREE breakfast and lunch to all of our students throughout this school year!

Sincerely, 
Jennifer C. Willard

Superintendent of Schools

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Letter from Superintendent Willard on October 12, 2021 reminding families about Test&Stay and the need to complete the online consent form. 

October 12, 2021

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Guardians,

On October 4, 2021, the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District began offering Test&Stay for students, teachers and staff who have been identified as a close contact through school-based contact tracing. Test&Stay is a FREE rapid COVID-19 antigen test administered at school under the supervision of a school nurse or trained health care provider. With Test&Stay, asymptomatic students identified as close contacts can stay in school with daily testing.

In order to participate in Test&Stay, the following criteria MUST be met:

  • Test&Stay testing in school is only for students, teachers and staff who have been identified as a close contact through school-based contact tracing (exposed at school).
  • Individuals must have NO symptoms of COVID-19 (asymptomatic).
  • A parental consent must be on file prior to testing. No verbal consent can be taken.

Originally, we indicated the online consent forms could be completed at any time but we now know that the online consent forms take 24 hours to process before our nurses have access to them. That is why it is important to sign your child up for Test&Stay now.

If a student is identified as a close contact and not eligible to participate in Test&Stay, the school nurse will provide guidance on next steps. At-home COVID-19 test results will not be accepted for return to school.

If you have additional questions regarding the program, please contact our Lead Nurse, Marcia Lamoureaux at (413) 569-6171.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent



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Letter from Superintendent Willard on October 8, 2021 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD.



October 8, 2021

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, two people in our Powder Mill School community and one person in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community tested positive for COVID-19. All school-based contact tracing has been completed and anyone affected has been notified. There is no evidence of in school transmission.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools




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Letter from Superintendent Willard on October 1, 2021 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD.


October 1, 2021

Dear STGRSD Community,

Positive COVID-19 Cases

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, four people in our Powder Mill School community and four people in our Southwick Regional School (7-12) community test positive for COVID-19. All school-based contact tracing has been completed and anyone affected has been notified.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools

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Letter from Superintendent Willard on September 24, 2021 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD.


September 24, 2021


Positive COVID-19 Cases

Dear STGRSD Community,

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, we had three people in our Powder Mill School community and three people in our Southwick Regional School community test positive for COVID-19. All school-based contact tracing has been completed and anyone affected has been notified.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard

Superintendent of Schools

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Letter from Superintendent Willard on September 17, 2021 notifying families about the weekly COVID-19 positive cases in STGRSD.

September 17, 2021

Dear STGRSD Community,

This year, all confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported to families weekly in one letter. Anyone identified as a close contact will continue to be notified immediately.

This week, we had two people in our Woodland School Community test positive for COVID-19. The cases were unrelated and school-based contact tracing has been completed and anyone affected has been notified.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools

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Letter from Superintendent Willard on September 16, 2021 notifying families about the Learning Acceleration Survey and requesting feedback. Survey closes on October 1, 2021


September 16, 2021


Dear STGRSD Families,

This year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provided an Acceleration Roadmap for Districts to use and it is designed to provide a focused and phased approach to supporting students as they begin the 2021-2022 school year, a year that will lay the foundation for accelerated learning over the next several years. The roadmap is organized around three overarching priorities, which are grounded in research and were developed through extensive stakeholder feedback. These priorities are to: 
1. Foster a sense of belonging and partnership among stude