01/11/2021
Evening Plainfield Community-
We hope everyone had a nice winter break and nice New Year!!!
The year 2020 brought unforeseen challenges that we will only grow from, learn from, and become stronger from. 2021 will present new challenges for us as a school district, with our main focus of returning to normal, high-quality instruction as possible, while addressing the diverse needs of all of our students. The global pandemic and impacts of will be something we will be addressing for years to come. This challenge we will not take lightly because our students, your kids, require us to tackle these unique challenges we now face. We enter this new year with hope, energy and a revitalized determination to always do our best for the kids of Plainfield.
It is important now, more than ever, to continue your communication with us regarding any potential or confirmed cases over the winter break and weeks to come. Transparently, Windham County and indirectly Plainfield is the state’s new hotspots. Cases are increasing, but our mitigation measure remain intact and we continue to see minimal spread of COVID within our schools. We are, however, continuing to be impacted by community spread, so communication with us about any potential or confirmed cases is essential for us to remain open.
FREE MEALS: Meals will continue to be provided at PHS, PCMS and MES. On Thursday’s – B Day families can pick up extra meals for the week and on Friday’s – A Day families can pick up the same meals. It is important for us to continue to provide this service and support.
You can find updated state and local COVID data below. As always, if you have any questions please reach out.
Several Important Reminders:
CT Travel Restrictions-As you plan your holiday travel please be aware of Connecticut’s current travel restrictions. Please communicate directly with your child’s school is impacted by the travel restrictions. More information can be found here: https://portal.ct.gov/coronavirus/travel
Ongoing Communication with Schools-Even though we are on remote across the district, it is important to maintain communication with your child’s school concerning any COVID impact (Positive cases, Primary contact with COVID individual, etc. ) Families have done a tremendous job communicating with families and respecting symptoms in their children and keeping them home. This needs to continue during this time period as well as there is ongoing potential of contact to your child’s cohort and school regarding any cases.
Face Covering Policy- The BOE approved a first reading of a face covering policy. Plainfield will implement a mandatory face covering policy across the district. Yes, the State Department of Education released Addendum regarding face coverings, however we felt it necessary to institute a specific policy regarding face masks. To review the first reading of the face mask policy you can access at our website under BOE policies-First Readings, here: https://www.plainfieldschools.org/board_of_education/boe_policies/public_first_reading
Important District Mitigation Measures
Short-Term Closure-Quarantine a class, program or school for a short period of time to allow for deep cleaning and/or testing. This would be done if we receive notifications of multiple potential cases or multiple primary contacts within one location
Quarantine Closure-14 day quarantine is required of an individual who is a primary contact (someone who had long-term exposure to a COVID positive individual). This would be done if a student’s parent tests positive or if an individual in our community tests positive and was directly linked to a classroom/s or program/s
Self-Isolation-10 day isolation is required if an individual test’s positive for COVID. That individual can return to the school community after the 10 period, with a negative test and 24 hours of being symptom free
These steps are taken and have been taken to mitigate any spread of COVID within our schools. It is very important for parents and school community members to communicate openly and honestly with their children’s schools about any potential or confirmed exposure.
Connecticut Department of Education Leading Indicators
( source: https://data.ct.gov/stories/s/CT-School-Reopening/ddy2-ijgu/ )
The learning model indicator metrics were originally calculated using a 7-day average. Starting on 10/15/2020, the metrics will be calculated using a 14-day average. We are learning more about COVID-19 all the time, including the best ways to measure COVID-19 activity in our communities. CT DPH made the decision to shift to 14-day rates because these are more stable, particularly at the town level, as compared to 7-day rates. In addition, since the school indicators were initially published by DPH last summer, CDC has recommended 14-day rates and other states (e.g., Massachusetts) have started to implement 14-day metrics for monitoring COVID transmission as well.
Leading Indicator #1 Definition: Number of new cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population per day (14-day average)
Secondary Leading Indicator #2 Definition: Percent test positivity ( # of positive tests/ # of total tests, 14 day average)
cid:[email protected]
Data from Thursday 11/5 Release
New COVID-19 cases per 100k
Leading Indicator Risk Category
Percent Positivity
New COVID-19 Hospitalizations
Percent COVID-10 like illness
Secondary Indicator Risk Category
Windham County
(Number increase from previous week)
73.6 (+7 increase)
High
11.2% (+2% increase)
3.2 (.6 increase)
5.8% (+2% decrease)
High
State
54.5 (-5% decrease)
High
8.2% (.2% decrease)
4.5 (.2 decrease)
6.5% (.2% decrease)
High
Connecticut State and Town Indicators
( source: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/COVID-19-Data-Tracker )
Connecticut currently has over 160 towns classified as “red” towns (Increase since last data email)
Connecticut’s current positivity rate is 8.5%
Two week rolling average Plainfield has 82.9 cases per 100,000 (+25 INCREASE since last data email) (Week One 81 and Week Two 95 rolling number of cases)
Plainfield has a total of 808 (+300 increase since last data email) confirmed cases (since data collection began)
Plainfield has had over 35 staff
Plainfield has had over 30 student positive cases
COVID Reminders and Resources
REMEMBER: COVID-19 is spread mainly via person-to-person contact through contaminated air droplets from coughing and sneezing by an infected person. As with controlling the spread of other viruses, we urge everyone to discuss the following preventive measures with your children and family members:
· Wash your hands frequently, but especially after using the restroom and before preparing or consuming food. Using soap and hot water, wash for about 20 seconds. Be sure to also wash your fingertips. When soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
· Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands or in the air. Always try to cough or sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze inside the elbow of your arm.
· As much as you can, avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
· Wear a face covering (mask) whenever there is a likelihood that you or your family members will be in the presence of others.
· Maintain social distancing (at least 6 feet) between yourself and others when outside of your home.
Below is the list of COVID-19 symptoms for which everyone should monitor in their family members:
❑ Fever (100.4° Fahrenheit or higher)
❑ Chills or shaking chills
❑ Uncontrolled new cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
❑ Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
❑ New loss of taste or smell
For additional information on COVID-19 symptoms, please see:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
Important Parent Resources:
https://portal.ct.gov/SDE/COVID19/COVID-19-Resources-for-Families-and-Educators
If you have any questions about our COVID Data, or questions on any COVID topic, please reach out directly to me and I will be glad to assist you.
Thank you,
Scott Sugarman
Assistant Superintendent/Director of Pupil Services
Plainfield Public Schools
Office: 860-564-6401 or 6415
Fax: 860-564-6477
“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world”-Nelson Mandela
CONFIDENTIALITY: The information contained in this email message is confidential and may contain privileged information and material. Any review or use of the information contained in this email message by persons other than the intended recipient(s) is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient please notify Scott Sugarman at 860-564-6401 immediately by telephone or email to [email protected] and destroy all copies of this message and any attachments
Thank you,
Scott Sugarman
Assistant Superintendent/Director of Pupil Services
Plainfield Public Schools
Office: 860-564-6401 or 6415
Fax: 860-564-6477
