Good Morning, Reading Public School Staff and Families,

As I mentioned in my communication on Sunday, we have been closely monitoring our COVID-19 student and staff cases, as well as, community spread.  When we transitioned to remote this week, we did it because our case numbers over the break had increased and we made the conscious decision to allow a quarantine period of two weeks from the Christmas holiday to allow families the ability to get tested, quarantine (if necessary) and to monitor their situations so that the spread could be reduced.  In addition, it allowed our school nurses the ability to contact trace all current active cases.

Throughout this week, we have been meeting with our Director of Nurses, and Public Health Officials to determine next steps.  Based on these discussions, I am announcing that we will be returning to our regular hybrid model, beginning on Monday, January 11^th.  This will give our staff and students 17 days of reduced in school contact since December 24th.  Next week will be in person for Cohort B, Preschool, Kindergarten, and our High Needs Students.  In addition, all in person athletics and extra-curricular activities may resume tomorrow.

I want to thank all of our staff and parents for their ability to shift quickly to an all remote model.  I also want to thank the staff who work with the highest of our high needs students for all the work that you did this past week.  

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your building principal or myself.

Thank you and be safe.

John Doherty

Superintendent

Reading Public Schools

82 Oakland Road

Reading, Massachusetts 01867

781-944-5800

John.doherty@reading.k12.ma.us