Dear WSD Families and Staff,
As of this morning, there have been 61 known positive cases of COVID-19 in our learning community since December 1. Our COVID Co-Coordinators have created 13 line lists, which means that 13 people were present in school while infectious. All close contacts of the infected individuals have been notified. If you have not been notified, you are not considered a close contact.
Below is a chart with daily positive cases that were reported to our WSD COVID Co-Coordinators over the past nine days:
| Date | Positive Cases |
| 12/20 | 1 case |
| 12/21 | 8 cases |
| 12/22 | 2 cases |
| 12/28 | 8 cases |
| 12/29 | 3 cases |
Of the 61 individuals who have tested positive for COVID:
- 39 individuals have completed quarantine/isolation. They are no longer contagious and may return to in-person learning.
- 22 individuals are still in quarantine/isolation.
Return to School in the Fully Remote Learning Model
The WSD winter break ends on January 3. School will start back on Monday, January 4.
At this point, due to the number of current positive cases in Winooski and the limited testing and incomplete results during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday weeks, our schools will remain in the fully remote learning model until Tuesday, January 19th. There is no school on Monday, January 18 in honor of MLK Jr. Day.
Important considerations for bringing students back to the previous in-person learning schedule (4-days per week for JFK students and hybrid learning for WMHS students).
The WSD COVID Response team will continue to carefully weigh the following factors before making a decision about the district’s learning model:
- Positive cases trending downward reliably (The data we are currently considering is for Winooski, Chittenden County, and the WSD-specific data reported to our COVID-19 Coordinators).
- Sufficient staffing levels to safely maintain in-person instruction
- Our district’s ability to adhere to the Vermont Department of Health and Agency of Education Safety and Health Guidance
Community Transmission
At this point, the Vermont Department of Health does not have any evidence of transmission occurring at school. That means the current positive cases were contracted in the community. During the next three weeks, we must all carefully follow the health guidance listed below so that our schools can safely move back to our in-person/hybrid learning model on January 19.
Prevent COVID-19 from Spreading
In order to contain the spread of the virus, it is essential every member of our community carefully follows virus prevention guidance, including:
- Stay home if you are sick
- Wash your hands
- Keep your social circle small
- Stay at least 6 feet apart
- Wear a mask
Free COVID-19 testing in Winooski
There is free testing available in Winooski daily (note site closures this week due to the holiday). To improve accessibility, walk-ups are also welcome and interpreters are available on-site.
COVID Vaccines in Vermont
The Health Department is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other partners to prepare for vaccines as they become available. Please check back often as they update this page with new information.
Need a ride to a testing site?
Transportation options are available. To schedule transportation to the COVID-19 testing site, please call the Vermont Public Transportation Association at least two days before the appointment 833-387-7200.
Student Meals
Student meal kits will continue to be distributed on Wednesdays from 9-10am. Read more here.
Basketball Updates
The current plan is to start the basketball season once we return to in-person learning on 1/19/21. Updates will be provided weekly.
Thanks to the hard work and sacrifices of many Vermonters, the state’s COVID-19 rates have leveled out for now. It is up to all of us in Winooski to continue making the right choices, so that we can once again safely bring our learning community back together in-person.
I am wishing you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, and joyful new year!
Sean McMannon, Superintendent
Important Upcoming Dates:
- Return to school on Monday, January 4 in Remote Learning Model PreK-12
- Monday, January 18 – No School in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Find the WSD’s updated school calendar here.
- January 6, 2021, and February 3, 2021 – WSD Staff COVID-19 Surveillance Testing