Good Morning, Reading Public School Staff and Community,

I hope that you have had a great weekend.  Below is our latest Fall Reopening Information.

• Additional COVID-19 Information-We have been notified that we have had three more students test positive for COVID-19 since our last communication that was sent out on Friday morning.  Two of the students are from Reading Memorial High School and the other student was from Coolidge Middle School.  All three students have been remote for the last several days and have not been in school.  

We also want to report that all of the students and staff who were exposed over the last two weeks in school for being in close contact with positive cases have tested negative thus far. Many have had their quarantine end and will be in school on Monday.

• Pandemic Fatigue-We are all experiencing pandemic fatigue.  We have been restricted in what we can and can’t do for over 8 months now.  However, we need to be more diligent than ever in our health and safety practices.  Our infection rates both locally and throughout the state are increasing.  We need everyone to work together, both inside and outside of school.

To that end, the Reading Public Health Department is launching the “Mask Up Reading” awareness campaign as COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the state. The town has remained moderate risk, but health officials said they are seeing a “concerning increase” in coronavirus cases.

“Mask Up Reading” aims to help keep community awareness high, provide guidance on a continual basis and render aid as needed. Notifications will appear on the Readingma.gov website, social media pages, SeeClickFix City notices, email notices and on signs across town.

The town asks residents to:

• Wear a mask or face covering whenever you are not at home or in your personal vehicle.
• Maintain social distancing, at least 6′ from others.
• Observe the State’s Stay-at-Home Advisory from 10PM – 5AM.
• Review the latest CDC Guidance.
• Get a flu shot.
• Talk about Covid precautions with household members, neighbors, friends, and colleagues.
• Stay home when you are experiencing symptoms.
• Don’t hesitate to get a COVID-19 test (click here for testing sites).

If you have any questions, please contact our local Board of Health.

• Hybrid Phase In-This week, all Grade 4 and 5 students from Cohort A will begin in person.  During the week of November 23^rd, all Cohort B Grade 4 and 5 students will begin.​

• COVID Test-We want to thank all of our parents for their support and cooperation if you have a positive case in your family.  As a health reminder if your child is having a COVID test as a requirement for quarantine, they must continue to quarantine even if the test is negative. If your child is exhibiting COVID symptoms or is returning from out of state travel, they cannot return in person to school until their test is negative.  If your child is getting a COVID test for any reason,  they may not attend school prior to receiving the results of a test.  The reason for this is that children are often asymptomatic for the COVID-19 virus and may be carrying the virus which can spread to others.

• Winter Sports-The Middlesex League is currently reviewing the new state standards for winter sports.  We are currently awaiting the MIAA modifications to each of the winter sports.  Tentatively, winter sports will begin on December 14^th with practices and tryouts and games will begin after the new year with a modified schedule, similar to the fall.  We hope to have more information soon as to which sports will be offered during the winter season.

Thank you for everything that you are doing and for your flexibility and patience.  Have a great rest of the weekend and week ahead.

John F. Doherty

Superintendent

Reading Public Schools

82 Oakland Road

Reading, MA 01867

781-944-5800