December 11, 2020
Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers,
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our three towns. This week, Southwick remains in the “red” and Granville is seeing an increase in positive cases. The good news is that our STGRSD community currently has only two positive cases in our hybrid/in-person population, both at Southwick Regional School.
Prioritizing the safety and well-being of students and staff along with the importance of in-person learning, the safety committee recently met and reviewed the current metrics in our District in accordance with the MOA. Based on that lengthy discussion, I have concluded that all students in grades PreK-4, and students in Cohort C (5-days per week ) in grades 5 and 6 at Powder Mill School WILL return to in-person learning on Monday, December 14, 2020. Students remaining in a full-remote learning status through December 18, 2020 will include Cohorts A and B (2- days per week) in grades 5 and 6 and all students in grades 7-12.
For students who are returning, we will continue to strictly adhere to the mitigation strategies of proper mask wearing, social distancing, hand washing, and staying home when you have any symptoms. As you are aware, Governor Baker has announced that effective Sunday, December 13, 2020, all communities in Massachusetts will return to Step 1 of Phase 3, of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan. This is an important step and a reminder to all of us that we must work together as a community to decrease the spread of COVID-19 and maintain in-person learning. If we get just ONE positive case of a student or staff member in our in-person population at Woodland or Powder Mill, that school will have to transition to full-remote learning again. If any cases are reported over the weekend that result in the closure of either Woodland or Powder Mill School, we will notify families immediately.
It is my sincere hope that, after the holiday break, we can return to our hybrid/in-person learning continuum for all grades. Working together and remaining vigilant is the only way we accomplish in-person learning. As always, I appreciate your support and cooperation and wish each of you a very happy holiday season and optimism in the new year.
Superintendent of School.