TO: RSU 63 PARENTS
FROM: SUSAN SMITH, SUPERINTENDENT/DIRECTOR of CURRICULUM & INSTR.
RE: POOLED TESTING
DATE: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2021
RSU 63 seeks to maintain a safe environment for students, staff, and the community. To support that goal, we are participating in a COVID-19 Pooled Testing program. Pooled testing is very important when it comes to keeping students in school. Pooled testing is optional and free for all RSU 63 employees (including drivers) and students who attend the Eddington, Holden, and Holbrook Schools. This quick NewsCenter Maine clip explains Pooled Testing.
We started Pooled testing on Tuesday, Sept. 7th (all our pools were negative for COVID) and will continue every Tuesday.
We are asking families and staff members to participate in this program to help safeguard the wellbeing of our entire school community. If you have not already registered/provided consent for 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/consent form, please contact Shelley Wyman (swyman@rsu63.org or 843-7851ext. 1).
In order to be in the pools this coming Tuesday, September 14th, your child must be registered no later than Sunday evening (9/12). However, you may sign your student up at any time throughout the school year.
To Register a Student:
Note: If you need to provide consent for more than one child, please complete the process once for each child.
RSU 63 will be using a rapid antigen test to provide “quick tests” for all individuals in a positive pool. BinaxNOW rapid testing will be used only for follow-up rapid testing in the event of a positive pool.
Below is information from the Maine DOE regarding COVID testing in schools. Additional information can be found at https://www.maine.gov/doe/
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.
Why pooled testing? Why should my student participate?
You know the old saying: “knowledge is power.” Tools like pooled testing empower us to make better decisions. Without knowing the specific prevalence of COVID-19 in our school, it’s tough for us to make informed decisions about safeguarding our school community, returning to school, or continuing in-person learning. Testing empowers us to make these informed decisions and allows students, teachers, and staff to come to school with peace of mind.
Public Meeting Regarding a Bus Garage for RSU 63
Monday, September 27, 2021
6:30pm at the Holden Elementary School
or join by Video link: https://meet.google.com/mni-aqxx-kaf
or phone: (US) +1 706-780-6822 PIN: 443 960 744#
Public Vote for Residents of Clifton, Eddington, and Holden
RSU 63 Regional School Unit Meeting
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
7:00pm in the Holbrook School Gym
Since 2009, RSU 63 has spent $292,803 renting a Bus Garage.
We have a great opportunity to purchase a Bus Garage for $260,000!
There is $451,341 in the RSU 63 Capital Reserve Fund. RSU 63 would like to use $260,000 from this fund to purchase the building at 153 Main Road, Holden for long-term use as a bus garage.
To learn more, please attend the
RSU 63 Bus Garage Informational Meeting
Monday, September 27, 2021
6:30pm at the Holden Elementary School
and
Please Come Vote at the
RSU 63 Regional School Unit Meeting
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
7:00pm in the Holbrook School Gym
UPDATED RSU 63 MASK RULES
MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 2021
Monday night (August 30th), the RSU 63 Board of Directors held an Emergency Meeting to discuss the RSU 63 2021-2022 Guide for Returning to School.
The RSU 63 Board decided we will begin school with universal masking indoors.
All adults and students must wear a mask/face covering that covers their nose and mouth while on an RSU 63 bus or in an RSU 63 van (as per Federal CDC order).
All adults, students, and children over 2 must wear a mask/face covering that covers their nose and mouth while in an RSU 63 school (Eddington, Holden, and Holbrook Schools) or in the RSU 63 bus garage.
Adults and students do not need to wear masks when outdoors. However, CDC recommends that people who are not fully vaccinated wear a mask in crowded outdoor settings or during activities that involve sustained close contact with other people.
TO: RSU 63 PARENTS, STUDENTS, STAFF, and COMMUNITY MEMBERS
FROM: SUSAN SMITH, SUPERINTENDENT/DIRECTOR of CURRICULUM & INSTR.
RE: POOLED TESTING
DATE: MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 2021
RSU 63 seeks to maintain a safe environment for students, staff, and the community. To support that goal, we will be participating in a COVID-19 Pooled Testing program. Pooled testing is very important when it comes to keeping students in school. Pooled testing is optional and free for all RSU 63 employees (including drivers) and students who attend the Eddington, Holden, and Holbrook Schools. This quick NewsCenter Maine clip explains Pooled Testing.
We recently received word from Concentric by Ginko that we can start Pooled Testing as early as Tuesday, September 7th. We are working as quickly as possible to gather consent forms, register students and staff, receive supplies, and create pool groups.
We are asking families and staff members to participate in this program to help safeguard the wellbeing of our entire school community. To register, please follow the link and the steps below.
Pooled testing will occur in RSU 63 on Tuesdays. The registration and consent process should take no more than 5 minutes to complete using a computer or a smartphone.
To Register a Minor/Student:
Note: If you need to provide consent for more than one child, please complete the process once for each child.
For Staff to Register:
Only students and staff with completed on-line consent forms are able to participate in testing. Pools will be determined based on school and grade level. If you do not want your family to participate, your student will not be included in the testing program. However, you may sign your student up at any time throughout the school year.
RSU 63 will be using a rapid antigen test to provide “quick tests” for any individual in a positive pool. BinaxNOW rapid testing will be used only for follow-up rapid testing in the event of a positive pool.
Below is information from the Maine DOE regarding COVID testing in schools. Additional information can be found in this attachment: School Testing FAQ
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.
Why pooled testing? Why should my student participate?
You know the old saying: “knowledge is power.” Tools like pooled testing empower us to make better decisions. Without knowing the specific prevalence of COVID-19 in our school, it’s tough for us to make informed decisions about safeguarding our school community, returning to school, or continuing in-person learning. Testing empowers us to make these informed decisions and allows students, teachers, and staff to come to school with peace of mind.
TO: RSU 63 PARENTS, STUDENTS, STAFF, and COMMUNITY MEMBERS
FROM: SUSAN SMITH, SUPERINTENDENT/DIRECTOR of CURRICULUM & INSTR.
RE: RSU 63 2021-2022 GUIDE FOR RETURNING TO SCHOOL
DATE: TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2021
The RSU 63 Board of Directors has adopted the health and safety protocols found under the Quick Links Tab “2021-2022 Guide for Returning to School.” Hard copies are available at the Eddington, Holden, and Holbrook Schools.
Some Notes About Masks:
All adults and students must wear a mask/face covering that covers their nose and mouth while on an RSU 63 bus or in an RSU 63 van (as per Federal CDC order).
It is highly recommended all adults, students, children over 2, wear a mask/face covering that covers their nose and mouth while in an RSU 63 school (Eddington, Holden, and Holbrook Schools) or in the RSU 63 bus garage. A parent/guardian must provide written permission for their child to not wear a mask/face covering while in an RSU 63 building. See attached form.
All visitors inside RSU 63 buildings are required to wear a mask/face covering.
Open houses will be held at all three schools next week.
Holden School – Monday, August 30th at 2:30pm
Eddington and Holbrook Schools – Tuesday, August 31st at 2:30pm
Masks are required for visitors (including parents) to enter the school buildings. Masks are not required when outdoors.
We look forward to welcoming all our students back to school on Wednesday, September 1, 2021.
Below you will find a link to the DRAFT “RSU 63 2021-2022 Guide for Returning to School.” This draft outlines RSU 63’s implementation of CDC requirements and recommendations as we start school this fall. It focuses on keeping our students and staff as safe and healthy as possible while providing at-school instruction with as little disruption as possible.
The RSU 63 Board of Directors will be making decisions regarding these recommendations during the Board Meeting on Monday, August 23rd.
Susan Smith, RSU 63 Superintendent/Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Click here to view the DRAFT RSU 63 Guide for Returning to School
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
TO: RSU 63 PARENTS, STUDENTS, STAFF, and COMMUNITY MEMBERS
FROM: SUSAN SMITH, SUPERINTENDENT/DIRECTOR of CURRICULUM & INSTR.
RE: STARTING the 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR
DATE: MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2021
As we get closer to starting the 2021-2022 school year, many people are wondering what school will “look” like. RSU 63 plans to start school in a traditional manner and return to a typical schedule for our students. We look forward to welcoming all our students back and meeting our new students on Wednesday, September 1, 2021. The RSU 63 2021-2022 Calendar is under “Quick Links” on our website (www.rsu63.org). We are excited to have all our students learning at the Eddington, Holden, and Holbrook Schools.
The health of our students, while learning at school, is our top priority. Below is current information regarding CDC requirements and recommendations. There may be changes between now and September 1st. Throughout the school year, I expect we will receive additional information from CDC. Some of that information will be great news and sometimes we will learn things that will be hard to hear.
We are planning on and hoping for traditional drop off procedures in the morning, a regular school-day schedule for our students, continuing free breakfast and lunch for all students, after school activities, middle school sports, and holding an open house at each of our three schools. As we finalize details, we will share them with you as quickly as possible.
Thank you very much for your patience and help as we work together to provide a safe, supportive, and challenging academic environment for our students.
Sincerely,
Susan Smith
RSU 63 Superintendent/Director of Curriculum and Instruction
The Maine Department of Education has shared that we need to adhere to the US CDC’s “Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools.” The federal guidance currently replaces the Maine guidance used last year. We will adhere to all CDC requirements.
MASKS
Currently, the US CDC requires all people on public or private school-provided transport, including buses and vans, are required to wear a mask. This means students and staff must wear a face mask while on RSU 63 buses and vans.
Face masks are not currently required in schools. However, due to the presence of the Delta variant in Maine, face masks are highly recommended, especially for people who have not been vaccinated. When school starts, we will be asking parents to let us know if they want their child(ren) to wear a face mask. That will help us help your child(ren) follow your directions.
PHYSICAL DISTANCING
Physical distancing of 3 to 6 feet will be maintained indoors.
COVID TESTING
Opt-in pooled testing will be offered to all staff and students following Maine Department of Education’s (DOE’s) procedures and guidelines. This new tool helps schools identify infected people (including those without symptoms) so steps can be quickly taken to prevent further transmission of COVID-19. Consistent with legal requirements and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), parental consent will be obtained prior to any COVID testing.
VACCINATIONS
All eligible students (currently students age 12 or older) and all staff are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated. The Maine DOE/Maine CDC will be requiring each district to report the percent of staff members full vaccinated. Beginning in September, this information will be posted and updated monthly on a Maine DOE or MAINE CDC website.
COVID RESPONSE PROTOCOL for POSITIVE CASES
RSU 63 will continue to follow state guidelines for dealing with a COVID positive case. As of July 2021, this includes reporting, contact tracing, quarantining of individuals who test positive, and quarantining of non-vaccinated close contacts.
Please keep in mind these health requirements are subject to change depending on CDC guidance and local conditions.
July 16, 2021
COVID-19 RULES HAVE CHANGED: FACEMASKS REQUIRED on RSU 63 BUSES and VANS
The Maine Department of Education has shared that we need to adhere to the US CDC’s “Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools.” This federal guidance was recently updated on July 9, 2021, and replaces the Maine guidance document that was used during the 2020-2021 school year.
Per the US CDC order related to transportation, all people on public or private school-provided transport, including buses and vans, are required to wear a mask. This means students and staff must wear a face mask while on RSU 63 buses and vans.
With COVID cases low and vaccination rates high, face masks are no longer required in schools. However, face masks are recommended, especially for people who have not been vaccinated. If you want your child(ren) to wear a face mask for STEM Camp or ESY, please let Michele Archambault (marchambault@rsu63.org) know so we can follow your wishes.
Students will be 6 feet apart when unmasked for snack break.
If you are able, please send a water bottle with your child.
Please continue to monitor yourself and your children for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Keep your child home and call a healthcare provider if symptoms start. Symptoms include:
Students should also stay home if they have two or more of the less common COVID 19 symptoms. Less common symptoms include:
Thank you for helping us all stay healthy.
Susan Smith, RSU 63 Superintendent/Director of Curriculum and Instruction
CHEFS (Clfifton, Holden, Eddington Food Support) continues its schedule of every Thursday evening from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. CHEFS is also open the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. If you or someone you know is in need of additional food, please come!
Holden, Eddington, and Holbrook Schools all promote, recognize, and expect positive behavior. Our expectations are taught through our Core Values; Honesty, Kindness, Respect, Responsibility, Compassion, and Courage. Students are recognized for making good choices in a variety of ways including gold slips, kudos cards, and “Busted” slips. We are also aware that incidents of bullying and harassment have a negative impact on school climate and culture as well as academic achievement. This year we have added an online, anonymous reporting system. CLICK ON HEADLINE LINK TO READ MORE.
