HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm. 09/23/2021Mansfield School CommittgeroE, Pi
Returning and Learning Subcommittee
Minutes for September 23, 2021011
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RECEIVED Approved 10-18-21
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A meeting of the Mansfield School Committee Return to Learning subcomq�mitf[ e� vtip�d d called to order
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Attendees: Lauren Scher, Linda Fernando, Teresa Murphy, Michael Connelly, Christine Dooling, Amy Donovan
Palmer, one guest
Approval of Minutes: 9/9/21, approved 2-0
New Business
• School metrics (Chrisine)
o It has been a busy 10 days with quarantines and test and stay. Putting together weekly dashboard
on Wednesdays. Started a flow sheet that tracks positive cases, quarantines, test and stay, and
symptomatic testing. It is more complex than last year as there are now three options for
quarantines.
o J1 has had 10 cases from Monday to Wednesday morning of this week and 15 cases last week. High
effect on quarantines
• Have been some positive cases with "test and stay" (some days after exposure) but no way
of knowing where it came from and what people are doing to mitigate transmission (one
class at JJ)
• "Test and stay" testing occurs in the morning and students are asked to stay home on the
weekends and not participate in outside activities, but no control over that
• Other schools have low numbers but in some cases are interconnected to the JJ cases
• Two classes at RG have been quarantined due to all students being considered close
contacts. RG does not have Test & Stay.
o Test and Stay has been very successful program in terms of allowing students to stay in school vs.
being quarantined. Have been getting support / suggestions from DESE. Heard yesterday from DESE
contact — our school district is not unusual. We are a district that was ready for test and stay before
school started. Many districts aren't ready to do that.
o Testing rollouts have been confusing — process and timelines are moving targets and going into
effect as DESE is rolling out program
• Three testers going to the schools (state support)
• Calling center (CTC) is helping out with phone calls
• Hired a nurse to bring testers from school to school. She handles symptomatic students.
Also bringing back a retired QMS nurse who will help with vaccine percentages.
o At MHS (A-M last names), still finalizing vaccination numbers, but as of now it appears that 71% are
vaccinated. Working thru the remainder of the alphabet. There are various sources to determine
vaccination rates, including state -level data. Based on information accumulated thus far:
0 60% 9t' grade
66% 10" grade
74% 11`h grade
80% 12`h grade
• Town metrics (Amy and Christine)
o Working to explain "test and stay" for students involved in town sports; that program is only for
school activities; if a contact in youth sports, then will need to quarantine
• Out of school activity does not qualify for "test and stay" even if the actual event takes place
in the schools
• When the event is not controlled (i.e., after school or weekend) the student should be
quarantining over the weekend and after school
o 21 active cases as of yesterday, according to the Town's website; 17 new cases from last week
• Unvaccinated are at risk
• High number of people are vaccinated in town (about 74%). Based on the state -level metrics
(which may be inaccurate given that the total population numbers may not be up to date):
• Approximately 74%vaccinated in the 12-15-year-old population (at least one dose)
• 16-19 years old: 95%
• 20-29:75%
• 30-49:85%
o Close communication with parents requires a lot of time and outreach to parents who have
numerous questions.
o Vaccine clinics are coming up, and there may be potential for additional clinics once there is FDA
approval for vaccinations for ages 5-11.
• Mask policy
o Have no idea how the Commissioner will go after October 1st, waiting on hearing from DESE on next
guidance on masks as well as how best to collect vaccination information.
o Noticing a lot of students (MHS, QMS) not arriving at school wearing masks; administrators are
supplying, and lots are ending up as litter, particularly at Memorial Park.
o Still faraway from hitting 80% vaccinated for QMS (may take until January given that many in grade
6 are not yet eligible); MHS may be a possibility to hit 80%.
• SC will make the determination of when / where masks are worn
o Christine / Amy: big proponent of masks worn in public spaces as a precautionary measure. Town
Board have health has instituted a mask mandate in municipal buildings. We need to watch case
numbers in addition to vaccination rates. There have been some breakthrough cases in town (not in
the schools).
o Teresa: Will continue to look at mask -wearing monthly; looking ahead to holidays and traveling, and
how masks may work to mitigate cases. But we need to acknowledge that there needs to be an end
point.
• Other - Any items not anticipated by the Chairperson 48 Hours prior to this meeting.
Meeting closed at 4:05pm
Next meeting TBD [Later determined that