HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm. 01/10/2022Approved 02-04-22
Mansfield School Committee RECEIVED
Returning& Learning Subcommittee (,I FRKS OFFICE
Minutes for January 10,2022
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A meeting of the Mansfield School Committee Return to Learning subcommittee was opened and called to order
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Attendees: Lauren Scher, Linda Fernando, Teresa Murphy, Michael Connelly, Christine Dooling
Approval of Minutes: 10/18/21(2-0)
New Business
• Status and impact of COVID in our schools
o Better today 12% absent from 16% last week
o Next week may be the week to worry about
• MHS: Staffing is better from last week; no need to have students in cafeteria
QMS: doing ok and the college students are helpful
JJ: ok
• Robinson: ok
• Roland Green: ok
• DESE updates
o Extended DESE mask requirement thru 2/28
0 80%threshold policy remains in effect; not many districts are
o Access window for testing for EL until March
o Masks/testing kits distributed
o Trying to find relief for school nurses
o Working to get more KN95 masks for schools
0 5 days post quarantine: what about masks at recess and lunch? Can remove for lunch but trying
to monitor who should be wearing a mask at recess is very challenging
o They have implemented a process if there's a need to close the school
o Fully vaccinated = only the 2 Pfizer/Moderna or 1 A
o Some districts are looking for a waiver for the 180 days
o Staffing shortages: trying to get new college grads to help out in the spring semester
• Math acceleration grant
o Opportunity for grades3-10
o Math academy to be held during Feb and April vacations
In person, small group learning
• Tailored to specific needs of students
Each day 4+ hours (20 hours)
• For elementary students: recommended some "fun" activities
Approved 02-04-22
• Jamie Mintz agreed to oversee
• Paying a high rate to entice teachers to give up their break
• Asked teachers — few people w interest
o Economically subgroup has the most need and would ultimately encompass the other
subgroups; will provide data points to support
o Submitted last week; answered clarifying questions; awaiting response
• Other
o Contact tracing has been overwhelming
• Jan 10-21 considered peak time
• Some nurse subs available; college students to do paperwork
• Vax student families would not be notified as a close contact; some parents were
unhappy
KP announce they will NOT be doing contact tracing at all
• Christine has reached out to Fire Chief and Health agent (Justin and Amy) to discuss
moving beyond contact
• Omicron resides in the throat and not in the nasal passage so can get false negative
• Takes time away from other non-Covid sick students
• It seems to be a lot of busy work for the nurses without much benefit (testing people
where it was unlikely, they contacted Covid in one 50-minute class)
• Nurses aren't using their nursing skills — constantly phone calls and testing; not able to
focus on any other student health issues (i.e., mental health)
• "Return to play' —students need a dr. note before able to come back to play; 5-day
waiting period (supported by Academy of Pediatrics and Children's Hospital)
o Options outside of contact tracing
• Contract tracing isn't occurring anywhere outside of the schools (i.e. grocery story, etc.)
• Omicron —few pediatric hospitalizations on record
• There is a lot of conflicting information being provided
• How would any changes be communicated?
o Booster clinic (Pfizer) will be held next week thru fire department
Meeting closed at 11:40 am
Next meeting: tbd