Dear Parents,

We hope everyone’s school year is off to a smooth start. We know there have been many emails and communications from the school over the past few weeks but we wanted to take the time to send out a “hello” from the health office and several important pieces of information. Please review below and all attachments prior to sending your child to school on Monday, September 14th.

COVID 19- Health Policies/Procedures

Attached to this email you will find the “When to Go Home/Stay Home” Guidelines. This graphic was created directly from the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)/RIDE (Rhode Island Department of Education) Return to School Playbook (PLAYBOOK LINKED HERE). It is very important that you familiarize yourself with these documents prior to next week. Please note that the Portsmouth School Department will be following these guidelines. As with everything these days, all of these policies are subject to change based on evolving guidance from the CDC and RIDOH. If you ever have any question in regards to whether or not to send your child to school, please err on the side of caution and keep your child home-they can always participate in distance learning.

Also attached to this email you will find the After-Illness Return Attestation Form referenced in the playbook. This form must be completed anytime a student is returning to school following any illness (not just a presumptive or positive COVID case). If a child is sent home sick or is out sick, we cannot let them return to in-person learning until the school nurse has received this form. Please familiarize yourself with this form and print some copies to have on hand if needed.

UPDATED MASK GUIDANCE

Some of you may have seen that new guidance has been issued by the CDC and RIDOH regarding appropriate face coverings. The RIDOH has put out a specific document outlining appropriate face coverings and it is attached to this email. At this time, we are no longer allowing gaiter style face coverings, bandannas or masks with valves to be worn by staff or students. If the gaiter or bandana is doubled up it will be allowed. We do have disposable face masks available in each classroom for both students and staff if needed.

PHYSICAL EXAMS AND IMMUNIZATION RECORDS

Just a friendly reminder that all students who are new to our school in all grades are required to submit a physical examination form and immunization record. In additional, all students entering Kindergarten and grade 7 must provide an updated physical and immunization record. These can be scanned and emailed if you are comfortable. If your child is entering any other grade and is not new to the school, you are not required to submit a form. If you are unsure if you have submitted a form or have any questions regarding this, please feel free to reach out.

We are looking forward to a great year! Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

All the best,

Tara Joncas, RN, CSNT