TO: RSU 63 PARENTS and COMMUNITY
FROM:  SUSAN SMITH, SUPERINTENDENT/DIRECTOR of CURRICULUM & INSTR.
RE:  NEW SOP (again) and RSU 63 COMMUNICATION
DATE:  WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2022

New Standard Operating Procedures for Schools from the Maine CDC
The Maine CDC “Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the Investigation of COVID-19 Cases in Pre-K – 12 Schools” have been updated again today, Wednesday, January 12th.   The changes are to “clarify questions from the previous iteration and to offer an option to suspend contact tracing for those schools who are implementing a universal masking policy, defined as ‘A policy of requiring consistent and correct usage of well-fitting masks in indoor spaces for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors, and across all school-based and school-sponsored activities. A universal masking policy allows for removal of masks while eating/drinking in designated spaces, but not for indoor mask breaks.' " (Source: Maine DOE Priority Notice “Updates to Pooled Testing and Standard Operating Procedure” dated Jan. 12, 2022)

The entire updated SOP can be viewed, here. 
https://www.maine.gov/doe/sites/maine.gov.doe/files/2022-01/School%20SOP%2001.11.22%20%282%29.pdf

Communication
While the new SOP does allow RSU 63 to suspend contract tracing, RSU 63 will continue to email individuals who are close contacts from a school exposure to the extent to which we are able.  Close contacts from an RSU 63 exposure will receive an email as quickly as we can, stating the important information regarding when the contact occurred and what to do. 

I will continue to email our school community when there are positive cases associated with RSU 63 schools.  However, that communication will most likely be summary once a week and will not occur with every case.

Pooled Testing
“Pooled testing remains a valuable resource, as it provides serial testing and early detection of cases of COVID-19. For families without the means or resources to access a test, this program is critical for ensuring equitable options to monitor for the virus. The recent surge caused by the highly transmissible Omicron variant has put excessive strain on school staff who are valiantly administering their pooled testing programs. Maine CDC has issued a memorandum, offering temporary changes to the pooled testing protocols." (Source: Maine DOE Priority Notice “Updates to Pooled Testing and Standard Operating Procedure” dated Jan. 12, 2022)

The entire pooled testing memo can be accessed, here.
https://www.maine.gov/doe/sites/maine.gov.doe/files/2022-01/K-12%20Pooled%20Testing-%20Memo.pdf

RSU 63 will continue pooled testing and continue to use the BinoxNOW test as a follow-up for individuals in a positive pool.  We will continue to report positive BinoxNOW test results to the Maine CDC.  However, we will temporarily suspend reporting negative BinoxNOW test results. 

To Register a Student for Pooled Testing:

1. First, click here (https://testcenter.concentricbyginkgo.com/minor-consent). This is the link to register a student.
2. Enter your child’s information and their school’s access code:
   1. Eddington’s code is 2MF8WL
   2. Holden’s code is UZW187
   3. Holbrook’s code is G4A8XL
3. Read and sign the consent form.   

Note: If you need to provide consent for more than one child, please complete the process once for each child.

Thank you for continuing to do your best to take care of your family and our community. 

TO: RSU 63 PARENTS and STAFF
FROM:  SUSAN SMITH, SUPERINTENDENT/DIRECTOR of CURRICULUM & INSTR.
RE:  NEW COVID RULES and COMMUNICATION
DATE:  SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 2022

I hope you all had a chance to enjoy the winter break.   

New Rules for Schools
The “Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the Investigation of COVID-19 Cases in Pre-K – 12 Schools” were updated on December 29^th.  These are rules from the Maine CDC’s Division of Disease Surveillance that we must follow.  New SOP 12.29.21 

Major changes include new quarantine rules for staff and students who are close contacts. 

Students or staff who test positive for COVID, regardless of vaccination status, must isolate until they meet the “US CDC criteria for release from isolation.”  Currently, that means…

Communication
Dawna Bickford and I will continue to notify people who are close contacts from a school exposure as quickly as we can.  That notification will most likely be via email.  We will also continue to inform close contacts who need to quarantine from school and school activities via phone calls or direct conversations.  All close contacts will receive an email stating the important information regarding when the contact occurred and what to do. 

I will continue to email our broader school community when there are positive cases associated with RSU 63 schools.  However, that communication will most likely be once a week rather than for each case.  (Close contacts will always be notified as quickly as possible.)

To Register a Student for Pooled Testing:

1. First, click here (https://testcenter.concentricbyginkgo.com/minor-consent). This is the link to register a student.
2. Enter your child’s information and their school’s access code:
   1. Eddington’s code is 2MF8WL
   2. Holden’s code is UZW187
   3. Holbrook’s code is G4A8XL
3. Read and sign the consent form.   

Note: If you need to provide consent for more than one child, please complete the process once for each child.

RSU 63 currently uses the BinaxNOW rapid antigen test to provide “quick tests” for all individuals in a positive pool. 
Additional information can be found at https://www.maine.gov/doe/covid-19/toolkit#pooled

Thank you for continuing to do your best to take care of your family and our community. 

TO: RSU 63 PARENTS
FROM:  SUSAN SMITH, SUPERINTENDENT/DIRECTOR of CURRICULUM & INSTR.
RE:  POOLED TESTING UPDATE
DATE:  FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2021

To help maintain a safe environment and keep students attending school, RSU 63 participates in a COVID-19 Pooled Testing program run by Maine DHHS.  Students who are close contacts and participate in pooled testing are usually able to participate in RSU 63 after school activities. 

32% of our RSU 63 staff and students currently participate in pooled testing.  Pooled testing in RSU 63 generally occurs on Tuesdays.  However, the state is not able to provide pooled testing on Tuesday, Dec. 21st.  Our next pooled testing date will be Tuesday, January 4th. 

Pooled testing is optional and free for all students who attend the Eddington, Holden, and Holbrook Schools and RSU 63 employees (including drivers). 

What is pooled testing?
Pooling can test 25 people using one test. All students in a class or group (called the pool) swab their own nose and place their swab in a single tube (that’s the pooling step). The samples in that tube are then run as a single sample, using one pool test.  IF the pool tests positive for COVID-19, everyone in that pool is tested using the BinaxNOW rapid test.  

If you have not already registered your child(ren) and would like them to participate in pooled testing, please follow the link and the steps below. The registration and consent process should take no more than 5 minutes to complete using a computer or a smartphone.  If you need a paper registration form, please contact Shelley Wyman (swyman@rsu63.org or 843-7851ext. 1).

To Register a Student for Pooled Testing:

1.     First, click here (https://testcenter.concentricbyginkgo.com/minor-consent). This is the link to register a student.

2.     Enter your child’s information and their school’s access code:

1.     Eddington’s code is 2MF8WL

2.     Holden’s code is UZW187

3.     Holbrook’s code is G4A8XL

3.     Read and sign the consent form.   

Note: If you need to provide consent for more than one child, please complete the process once for each child.

RSU 63 uses the BinaxNOW rapid antigen test to provide “quick tests” for all individuals in a positive pool. 

Additional information can be found at https://www.maine.gov/doe/covid-19/toolkit#pooled

Online Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals

You can now fill out your application for free and reduced school meals online.

Click here to fill out your free and reduced application now

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Report Cards

RSU 63 uses assessment data to help inform our practices at the district, school, classroom, and individual levels for our students.  Each year the Maine Department of Education issues a report for each district and each school.  These reports summarize state assessments and other data for students in Grades 3-8 and 11.  The report also contains information about teacher qualifications.  The ESSA Dashboard at the Maine Department of Education allows you to review report cards for schools and districts across the state.

https://www.maine.gov/doe/dashboard