CABOT, MARSHFIELD — Notices on the Twinfield Union and Cabot School websites the morning of Tuesday, Jan.28, say the schools are closed “
Caledonia Central Supervisory Union Superintendent Matt Foster said widespread illness Monday at Twinfield school had students lined up outside the nurses office, with many being sent home throughout the day. The gastrointestinal illness affected staff as well, but classes were able to continue as teachers and paraprofessionals were shuffled to cover classrooms.
In Foster’s report of his conversation with the Twinfield principal, he said 18 teachers were going to be out sick Tuesday, along with a large number of students.
The school was already down one bus driver. One of the other two had covered two routes Monday, but had come down with an illness, leaving just one driver to cover all three routes Tuesday. Danville school offered a driver to help cover the routes Tuesday morning, but wouldn’t be able to help that afternoon, leaving students stranded with no way for the school to get them home at the end of the school day.
An emailed letter to parents Monday afternoon explained the situation, advising that the school would be closed Tuesday, Jan. 28, and everyone needs to be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school.
Foster heard from the Cabot School principal early Tuesday morning advising him that the school would be down 11 staff with no elementary school teachers due to a similar illness. At 6:30 a.m., they made the decision to close that school as well.
He said the illness, which the school nurse told him looks like norovirus, affected the Peacham School on Friday, Jan.24, and appears to be making the rounds.
MyNBC5, in its report of the Twinfield School closing Tuesday, suggested those affected by gastrointestinal symptoms refer to the Centers for Disease Control website about norovirus for guidance.
ed. Note: A post in the Twinfield Union School Facebook page Tuesday evening, Jan. 28 is shared below in its entirety. The Vermont Public website school,closing page shows the start of the school day was delayed two hours, Wednesday, Jan. 29. There was no update, delay or information available about the Cabot school for January 29.
“Hello, Twinfield families
“We hope you are staying healthy or are feeling better if you have been ill.
“At this point, we have enough healthy staff to reopen Twinfield classrooms K-12; we are not able to staff PK and are closing PK for January 28.
“TLC is also cancelled for Wednesday.
“Our bus drivers are back, so we will be returning to the original plan for this week with Bus #2 being the late bus.
“If your child has been sick, please review the CCSU Illness Protocol and keep them home if they have had a fever or gastrointestinal symptoms within the last 24 hours. Masks are recommended for people who have been sick in addition to frequent hand washing to limit further spread .
“Please take care of yourselves and your families, and have a restful evening.
“-Stephanie and Mark”