Worthington School District
147 Huntington Road
Worthington, MA 01098
413-238-5856
Dear R.H. Conwell Families,
We have certainly had a fantastic month here…it’s been incredibly busy! We welcome the change in seasons, and ask that you send your child(ren) in with layers as the cold weather creeps into our mornings!
Next Thursday and Friday are Parent-Teacher conferences. Students will be dismissed at noon. Our teachers will share the academic, social and emotional growth of your child(ren) since the beginning of school.
Parent-Teacher Conference Checklists: Below are a couple of links with supportive tips for a successful parent/teacher conferences.
Tips for Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences at Your Child’s School
Parent-Teacher Conference Tips
News from the Education Commissioner: Consistent with the authority provided by the Board, and after consulting with medical experts and state health officials, the Commissioner is extending the mask requirement through at least January 15, 2022. The Department will continue to work with medical experts and state health officials to evaluate the mask requirement beyond January 15.
Parent Lunch: Parent lunch will resume in the spring. Thank you for joining us this fall!
Dismissal: Please remember to email Ms Lisa (louellet@hr-k12.org) or call the office (413-238-5856 ext. 3) by 1:00 if there is a change in how your child is getting home.
Table and Chairs donation: We would like to thank the Doktor-Philbrick Family for donating tables and coordinating with the Cummington Select Board for chairs
Chicken Coop Construction: A huge thanks to the Ricci, Todd, Sampson Tompkins, and Smith families for their hard work with the chicken coop past weekend! The chickens seem very happy with their new home!
News from Mrs. Madden: Session two of the After-School Program starts Monday, November 1st for grades kindergarten to 6. We are excited to offer some new activities with our new circus and art teachers and we are adding Fridays to our schedule. Registration forms should be returned as soon as possible to your child’s classroom teacher or may be e-mailed to smadden@hr-k12.org. The registration form is attached and will also be sent home with your child in their folder. Families will receive an email to confirm the receipt of your registration form and the days and activities your child is enrolled in. The program is free due to DESE After-School and Out of School Time grants and the 21st Century Community Learning Center grant. If there are any questions you may contact Shannon Madden, After-School Program Coordinator, at smadden@hr-k12.org.
Covid-19 Parent Informational Zoom: Northampton Area Pediatrics is hosting a parent informational zoom session to answer questions or concerns around Covid-19, vaccines, testing, policies, guidelines, and the local numbers. This zoom session will be on Sunday, November 7, 2021 from 4-5:30. If you have any questions you would like to address, they ask that you send them in advance to contactus@napeds.com. Please see this flyer for more information.
| Covid-19 Data Dashboard | |||
| This Week (10/29/21) | Last Week (10/22/21) | Changes from last week | |
| Positive Cases at R.H. Conwell | 0 | 0 | — |
| Internal Close Contacts | 0 | 0 | — |
| External Close Contacts in Quarantine | 0 | 0 | — |
| BinaxNOW Rapid Antigen Tests Conducted (last 7 days) | 2 | 1 | ↑1 |
| Positive Cases in Worthington (last 7 days) | 3 | 2 | ↑3 (new cases since 10/22) |
| Positive Cases in Hampshire County (last 14 days) – Updated 10/12/2021 | 219 | 243 | ↓24 |
| Positive Cases in Massachusetts (last 14 days) – Updated 10/12/2021 | 17,081 | 18,086 | ↓442 |
Covid Vaccination Requirement: Effective Monday, November 1st, all staff, educational contracted personnel and consultants, substitutes, volunteers and/or visitors who will be on school premises on a regular or recurring basis must show proof of vaccination against Covid-19, or submit a valid exemption request with weekly testing required in order to participate in any school related activities, or to interact with students or staff at R.H. Conwell during school hours. Please see the attached Covid Vaccination Policy for more details. This policy will not affect Parent/Teacher conferences where students will not be present. In addition, effective immediately, any visitor or volunteer entering the building will be asked to put on a KN95 mask as an additional precaution. Masks will be provided by the school and available in the front office.
Covid Testing Updates: Nurse Sam has received confirmation from the Department of Education that volunteers that come to the building on a regular basis are now eligible for BinaxNOW Rapid Antigen testing that is being performed at the school. This would include any regular volunteers that will be subject to weekly testing due to the vaccination requirement.
Please reach out to Nurse Sam at spease@hr-k12.org for more information.
Upcoming Events:
November 4, 2021: Noon Dismissal for Parent/Teacher Conferences November 5, 2021: Noon Dismissal for Parent/Teacher Conferences November 8, 2021: PTO meeting – 3:30p.m.
November 11, 2021: No School
November 17, 2021: Virtual Zoom with Parents – 7:00p.m. November 18, 2021: School Committee Meeting
November 23, 2021: Noon Dismissal
November 24- 26, 2021: Thanksgiving Recess
Have a wonderful weekend!
Gretchen Morse-Dobosz
Superintendent/Principal
gmorsedobosz@hr-k12.org