Dear Community:
Who knew that sitting down on a sofa could cause a concussion? Unfortunately, I hit my head on the marker holder tray attached to the dry erase board that is just above the back of the sofa in the teacher’s lounge on Monday. I have been home resting this week and am doing a little better each day. I plan to return to school on Monday, March 7th. Thank you for your concern and well wishes.
Mask Optional Transition: On Monday, February 28, we transitioned to mask optional for all within the school building. Everyone in the building, regardless of their decision to continue to wear or to not continue to wear masks has been very supportive of their peers. We thank you all for relaying that expectation to your children prior to this transition. In just one week, we have already noticed a significant increase in morale throughout the building. The positive social emotional impact that this change has made on our school community in such a short time is extremely prevalent and we are looking forward to the continued improvements to come for the remainder of the school year.
Masks on Buses: The CDC recently rescinded the order requiring masks on school buses and instead transitioned to masks optional on school buses. At this time, our current policy requiring masks on the school buses for students and staff remains in effect. We will be discussing this during our March 10 school committee meeting, and will update you all when there are any changes to that policy.
Volunteers Needed: Looking for a volunteer to assistance at breakfast Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 8:50 a.m.
Preschool/Kindergarten Open House: Will be held on Saturday, March 26 from 9:30 – 11:30. A flyer with more information will be sent home next week.
Next School Year: It’s that time of year when we begin to look at classroom configurations for the next school year. If your family is considering making other considerations for the next school year, please let the office know as soon as possible. This allows us to make any necessary adjustments to the classrooms.
Nurse Sam Update:
Please check out my new website for the most up-to-date information and updates from the nurse’s office. https://sites.google.com/hr-k12.org/rhc-nurses-office/
★ Preparing for next year: Letters for those affected will be coming home this week and next regarding medical paperwork requirements for next year. If your child has a medical condition that requires attention or medication while at school, please be sure to get this paperwork filled out and signed for next year prior to the beginning of the school year. All students entering Kindergarten, grade 4 and grade 7 will be required to submit an updated physical examination form. All other students are not required to submit this form, but are encouraged to.
★ At-Home Covid Tests: You may still sign your child up to receive our weekly at-home covid tests. If you would like to begin receiving these tests, please reach out to me at spease@hr-k12.org.
*Covid Test Reporting Form: At-Home Covid Test Reporting Form
★ Routine Covid Safety Checks: If you would like to have your child begin participating in our routine covid safety check program, please reach out to me at spease@hr-k12.org.
★ Covid Updates: As you can see in my data chart below, we are seeing a significant decrease in covid cases throughout the state and in our area. This data is very reassuring that we are heading in the right direction through this pandemic. However, please continue to be mindful of others while out in the community or whilst inviting those outside your household into your homes. Spring is near, and together we can all get through this!
| Covid-19 Data Dashboard | |||
| 3/4/22 | 2/18/22 | Trend | |
| Positive Cases at R.H. Conwell | 0 | 2 | ↓ |
| External Close Contacts in Quarantine | 0 | 0 | – |
| BinaxNOW Rapid Antigen Tests Conducted | 0 | 1 | ↓ |
| Positive Cases in Worthington (last 7 days) | 0 | 2 (school cases) | ↓ |
| Positive Cases in Hampshire County (last 7 days) | 876 | 1,605 | ↓ |
| Positive Cases in Massachusetts (last 7 days) | 15,662 | 35,576 | ↓ |
| Date Safety Checks Completed | 3/1/2022 | 2/15/2022 |
| Number of Individuals Participating | 44 | 42 |
| Number of Pools Tested | 5 | 6 |
| Number of Positive Pools | 0 | 0 |
| Number of Negative Pools | 5 | 6 |
| TOTAL NUMBER OF WEEKLY CHECKS COMPLETED: 7 TOTAL NUMBER OF NEGATIVE POOLS TO DATE: 64 TOTAL NUMBER OF POSITIVE POOLS TO DATE: 1 |
Upcoming Events:
March 10, 2022: School Committee Meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m.
March 21, 2022: Noon Dismissal – Faculty PD
March 21 – 26, 2022: Scholastic Book Fair
March 24, 2022: School Committee Budget Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
March 26, 2022: Preschool/Kindergarten Open House from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Gretchen Morse-Dobosz Superintendent/Principal
Worthington School District
147 Huntington Road
Worthington, MA 01098
413-238-5856
gmorsedobosz@hr-k12.org