Dear WSD Families,
It’s hard to believe we’re already wrapping up our second week of school. Our students continue to amaze me with how well they follow our district-wide HEART (Honest, Engaged, Appropriate, Responsible, Timely) expectations.
Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11. As we reflect on the terrible terrorist attack that devastated our country and killed nearly 3,000 people two decades ago, it is important to remember the strength of our community, both locally and nationally. This strength got us through a very dark time in our collective history and it will continue to bring us together as we build a brighter future for our students.
Please read the following updates and reminders below to continue to strengthen our district-family partnership.
Take care,
Sean McMannon, Superintendent
COVID-19
On September 8, the WSD COVID Coordinators were notified that two members of our learning community have tested positive for COVID-19. Both individuals were in school while contagious. The Vermont Department of Health (VDH) required contact tracing and all close contacts have been sent home to begin quarantine. If you were not contacted, that means you/your child are not considered close contacts.
Currently, in our district, 40 people are in quarantine. 32 individuals are in quarantine due to exposure to the positive cases. Those people must take a COVID-19 test and may return to school pending negative results or complete a 14-day quarantine. The other eight individuals are in quarantine due to international travel or because they exhibited COVID-19 symptoms and are awaiting testing results.
Additionally, one current presumed positive is under investigation, with up to 49 people in our learning community potentially impacted. Attempts will be made to notify all close contacts by 6pm this afternoon. If you have received a message or missed a call from the school, please respond as soon as possible by calling 802-556-2243.
We cannot share any confidential medical information about people’s quarantine status, vaccination status, or exposure to COVID with anyone who is not directly impacted. If you have not been contacted by the COVID Coordinators, you have not been directly impacted by the current positive cases in our schools.
What we can tell you is that many of the people who have been sent home to quarantine have had allergy-like symptoms such as a runny nose, scratchy throat, and a headache. Our COVID Coordinators ask that you do not send your child to school if they have any symptoms. If your child wakes up with any COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of how mild, please call the COVID hotline at 802-556-2243 immediately.
Cafeteria Opening
We are pleased to announce the new cafeteria will open on Monday, September 13!
Due to health concerns, this year the cafeteria will only serve students in grades 6-12. For students in grades PreK-5, meals will be served in the classroom. To keep everyone safe and healthy, we will follow these strategies:
- Masks worn by all students and staff until they are in their seat and ready to eat.
- All diners will keep a distance of at least 3 feet between themselves as much as possible.
- Tables and surfaces will be cleaned between meal services.
- Hand sanitizer stations will be available at all cafeteria entries.
- Seating plans will be required for potential contact tracing purposes.
Walk to School Day
Walk to School Day will be held on Wednesday, October 6th! Students can meet at the Walgreens parking lot at 7:40am, we will begin walking at 7:45am. Tips for walking to school.