Whittier Tech to Transition to Remote Learning Nov 23rd
Superintendent Maureen Lynch reports that Whittier Tech will transition temporarily to remote learning after the district has received notification of the sixth positive case of COVID-19 in the school community this week.
Whittier Tech has been notified of six individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 at the school this week, approximately one new case per day. All positive individuals are currently quarantining at home and the district is working with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and local health officials to identify all close contacts.
The district is not experiencing any in-school community spread at this time. All six cases are tied to instances of close contact that took place outside of school.
Out of an abundance of caution, the district will transition to remote learning on Monday, Nov. 23 and will return to its hybrid learning schedule on Tuesday, Dec. 8.
Students and families were contacted with their remote learning schedules today.
The district has been in close communication with DESE and its health staff to respond to the district’s needs throughout the evolving COVID-19 situation.
“While we’re not seeing any community spread, we feel transitioning to remote learning is the most prudent step we can take to protect the health and wellbeing of all of our students and staff,” Superintendent Lynch said. “Going into the holiday season, we absolutely need every member of our community to step up. You need to follow public health guidance to prevent yourself and others from getting this virus, in and out of school, and if you’re sick, we need you to please stay home.”
Whittier Tech continues to emphasize to students, families and staff that they stay home if they feel sick, are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, may have been exposed to the virus and/or are waiting for a COVID-19 test result. Families must also keep children home for remote learning if their child tests positive for COVID-19.
The District offers the following additional COVID-19 reminders ahead of Thanksgiving and the holiday break:
Wear a mask in public at all times.
Practice social distancing and maintain six feet of distance from those you don’t live with.
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, and use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not readily available.
Avoid touching your face.
Indoor residential gatherings in Massachusetts are currently limited to 10 people. Outdoor residential gatherings are limited to 25 people. All gatherings must end by 9:30 p.m.
Staying home and observing the holidays with those in your household or hosting a virtual celebration are the best ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Additional guidance for celebrating the holidays amid COVID-19 is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention here.
Massachusetts travel restrictions require that anyone visiting Massachusetts from states other than Hawaii or Vermont either quarantine for 14 days upon arrival or produce a negative PCR test result from a sample taken within 72 hours of arrival. Visitors from Maine or New Hampshire arriving after 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, are subject to quarantine and testing restrictions. All travelers arriving from states designated as high risk by the commonwealth, including Massachusetts residents returning home, must also fill out a travel form. For more information, click here.
To review the state’s most recent gatherings order, click here. For the latest updates on COVID-19 case numbers throughout the state, resources, guidance and state orders, visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s website here.