Dear Families,
We are excitedly preparing for the transition back to five day in-person learning beginning on April 5, 2021. We know you have questions and hope to answer many of those questions in the FAQ below. If you are looking for additional information, I encourage you to reach out to your building principals who can provide details specific to their schools.
It has been a long year of adapting and adjusting and I thank all of you for your continued support and patience. We have truly been “in this together”. I am optimistic that we can continue to work together to make this return to in-person as successful as possible.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
STGRSD Return to Five Day In-Person
Frequently Asked Questions
March 26, 2021
When does five day in-person learning begin?
Grades PreK-6: April 5, 2021
Grades 7-12: April 26, 2021
Will Wednesdays be full days or half days?
With School Committee approval of the new calendar, Wednesdays will be FULL days of school for ALL students, K-12, beginning on April 5, 2021. This calendar change is necessary to meet the new student learning time standards set by the Commissioner of Education.
All students attending school remotely will also have full day Wednesdays beginning on April 5, 2021.
School Committee is scheduled to take action on the new calendar on March 30, 2021.
Should my student bring their computer to school with them each day?
Students in grades 5-12 should plan to bring their device with them to school each day. The majority of district owned devices have been distributed to students for remote learning and now schools only have a limited number of available devices for classroom use.
What if my child needs to stay home from school, can they participate in classes remotely?
Under the new requirements, students are only able to participate in remote learning under the following conditions:
• Enrolled in STGRSD Online Full Remote Learning Model
• District determined COVID related absence such as: COVID related symptoms or illness, identified as a close contact, or quarantine. All of these situations will require student to meet District criteria prior to returning to school.
How will social distancing, mask wearing and COVID protocols be handled?
Schools will continue to practice the important protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
• Practice Social Distancing – During the return to five day in-person learning, staff and students will strive to maintain six-feet of physical distancing whenever possible. Lesser distances will be utilized as needed. During school lunches, and mask breaks, unmasked students will adhere to the minimum six-foot distance.
• Wear a Mask – Mask wearing will be required for all students and staff for the remainder of the school year regardless of vaccination status. Vaccination is not an alternative to mask wearing.
• Wash Your Hands Often – Students will be encouraged to wash their hands frequently or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Hand sanitizer will be provided when hand washing is not available.
• Clean Surfaces – We will continue our COVID-19 cleaning protocols at all buildings.
• Ventilation – Windows will be open and ventilation systems will continue to be set to maximize air exchange.
• Stay Home If You Are Sick – Students and staff must monitor themselves for COVID symptoms and stay home if they are not feeling well.
What lunch and breakfast options are available?
FREE breakfast and lunch meal service will continue to be available for all students for the remainder of the school year.
In-Person
• So that school nutrition staff can plan for meals upon the return of students to five day in-person, we kindly ask that you please pre-order using SchoolCafé www.schoolcafe.com
Remote Curbside
• Curbside meal service will continue for remote students. Visit the School Nutrition page on the District website for schedule information: https://www.stgrsd.org/departments/school_nutrition
Weekly Meal Kits
• Free weekly meal kits will continue to be distributed on Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at Southwick Regional School. Please reserve your weekly kit by 10:00 a.m. on the Friday prior to pick up: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=7J1o1m5JbkiK5ut2K-7JN2gSmLjJ1PBIsC8U2GQPOVRUQkhOTUdYMlBTWVNFOEk1UjdGWEFTNTZTRC4u
What if our family travels?
As of March 22, 2021 Massachusetts has lifted their COVID Travel Order and now advises all visitors and returning residents entering Massachusetts to follow the Commonwealth’s new travel advisory as detailed on their website: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-advisory
At this time, we encourage families to tell us if they are traveling and urge you to test or quarantine upon return from your trip. If you would like remote learning set up for post travel quarantine, please notify your child’s school at least 48-hours prior to the start of the need for remote learning.