Westminster Center School
Windham Northeast Supervisory Union
“Creating an Inclusive Community through Personalized Student Engagement.”
Athens Grafton Rockingham Westminster
December 13, 2021
Hello Westminster Families,
This is Liz Harty, the principal of Westminster Center School. I am calling to let you know that today we learned of a member of our school community tested positive with COVID-19. Anyone that was in close contact with this individual has already been contacted. This member of our school community has done the appropriate follow-up steps and will only return to school once they are symptom free without medication.
Right now, the most important things to keep in mind are:
Make sure your child is wearing a mask when recommended and required.
Make sure your child is washing their hands.
Keep your child home if they are sick.
Call your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of Covid-19.
If you would like your child to participate in our weekly surveillance testing, please sign them up through this link: https://www.cic-health.com/consent/vt
If you would like your child to participate in our Test to Stay program if they are ever considered a close contact, please find the two links here:
Sign consent for your child to best tested https://www.cognitoforms.com/VermontAgencyOfEducation/SY22COVID19TestingProgramConsentForm
Register for SimpleReport https://www.simplereport.gov/register/2N44J
Thank you for your continued support and understanding,
Liz Harty; Principal
Meghan Rink; School Nurse
12/7/21
Hello Westminster Families,
This is Liz Harty, the principal of Westminster Center School. I am calling to let you know that today we learned of a member of our school community tested positive with COVID-19. Anyone that was in close contact with this individual has already been contacted. This member of our school community has done the appropriate follow-up steps and will only return to school once they are symptom free without medication.
Right now, the most important things to keep in mind are:
Make sure your child is wearing a mask when recommended and required.
Make sure your child is washing their hands.
Keep your child home if they are sick.
Call your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of Covid-19.
If you would like your child to participate in our weekly surveillance testing, please sign them up through this link: https://www.cic-health.com/consent/vt
If you would like your child to participate in our Test to Stay program if they are ever considered a close contact, please find the two links here:
Sign consent for your child to best tested https://www.cognitoforms.com/VermontAgencyOfEducation/SY22COVID19TestingProgramConsentForm
Register for SimpleReport https://www.simplereport.gov/register/2N44J
Thank you for your continued support and understanding,
Liz Harty; Principal
Meghan Rink; School Nurse
COVID-19 Update for 12/4/21
Dear WNESU Families,
In the last 24 hours, we have learned of 3 new positive cases: 2 at Westminster Center School, and 1 at Central Elementary School.
To say this has been a difficult week for all of us would be an understatement, but we did anticipate that the week after the Thanksgiving break we would see an increase in positive cases. This week, we have reported 18 new positive cases. That brings our November total to 43 cases; 10 fewer that October. Our total reported cases since school started is 119.
(To view a spreadsheet that documents the year's positive cases - please click HERE)
We continue to lag in the area of proof of vaccination validation. We implore you, if your child is vaccinated, please show proof of vaccination to your school nurse. Vaccinated students do not have to quarantine if they are identified as a close contact.As we draw nearer to the extended Holiday break at the end of December, we are looking at ways to continue to support our students and families. However, we again anticipate an increase in our positive cases after we return. Families can help by wearing masks when indoors, social distancing, limiting travel, washing hands, and getting vaccinated. We know that these steps do reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus.
I am considering moving to a weekly update on positive cases as opposed to daily. I welcome any feedback. andrew.haas@wnesu.com
Also, If families wish to schedule a meeting at any time with me, they can use this link. This will take you to a program that allows you to see my calendar and schedule a meeting that works for you. These are 30 chats with no agenda, just an opportunity to connect.
I have included a few links that may be of assistance in helping families.
Return to School Following Illness
What to do if you are a Close Contact
We know that our surveillance testing and Test to Stay program are helping to keep students in school. However, these programs and our ability to ensure our students continue to receive the best educational opportunity only work when families do their part outside of school.
Any student who has been identified as a close contact and is unvaccinated, may participate in our Test to Stay Program. Information regarding this program may be found HERE.
Reminder: Test to Stay Participants and After School Activities
Students participating in Test to Stay may attend sports practices and other afterschool activities on school campus as long as students from other schools are not present. Students participating in Test to Stay may not participate in practices, events, competitions or any other afterschool activities if students from other schools are present, even if those activities occur on their home campus.
The VT AOE Guidelines have indicated that if a building population were to reach 80% vaccinated (Students and Staff) that mask requirements and close contact tracing would not be required. Currently, the vaccination rate for staff at all buildings is above 80%. Please consider having your child vaccinated.
The majority of these new cases are discovered due to our weekly surveillance testing program. This program has proven to successfully identify many positive cases where those infected were unaware and potentially led to others not being infected.
Please remember if you have your child tested somewhere other than their school, those institutions do not always contact the school in a timely manner. We ask that you contact your child's school as soon as you become aware so we can begin contact tracing immediately.
If your child has been identified as being positive for COVID-19 or is instructed to quarantine we ask that this be observed even when home. Please do not let your child play with or visit others while being quarantined. If your child is still able to go to school, please do not let them play with or visit those who are ill or who are being quarantined. Your cooperation in this matter will go a long way to limiting future outbreaks and reducing the number of times we have to send students home or close classrooms.
We want to reassure you that we are working directly with the Vermont Department of Health. Anyone exposed, or has been identified as a direct contact, has been contacted by the school nurse and administration and given guidance on quarantine and other recommendations. If you have not been contacted, your child is not directly impacted by this case.
The most important things to do are:
Make sure your child is wearing a mask when recommended and required.
Make sure your child is washing their hands. Keep your child home if they are sick.
Call your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of Covid-19.
Consider having your child vaccinated if they are eligible.
Consider having your child participate in weekly surveillance testing.
In order to maintain everyone’s privacy, we cannot disclose who in our community has tested positive. Remember, we are all at risk for getting this virus. These COVID-19 cases are our friends and family and we need to be understanding and supportive during this time. We are following the Health Department recommendations closely. The school will be thoroughly disinfected and cleaned per guidance and no ill employee or student will be allowed to return to school until they are healthy. We will continue to communicate changes and updates with you. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us.
Be Safe,
Andy Haas
Interim Superintendent
12/3/21
Hello Westminster Families,
This is Liz Harty, the principal of Westminster Center School. I am calling to let you know that we have learned of a member of our school community who tested positive with COVID-19. Anyone that was in close contact with this individual has already been contacted. This member of our school community has done the appropriate follow-up steps and will only return to school once they are symptom free without medication.
Right now, the most important things to keep in mind are:
Make sure your child is wearing a mask when recommended and required.
Make sure your child is washing their hands.
Keep your child home if they are sick.
Call your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of Covid-19.
If you would like your child to participate in our weekly surveillance testing, please sign them up through this link: https://www.cic-health.com/consent/vt
If you would like your child to participate in our Test to Stay program if they are ever considered a close contact, please find the two links here:
Sign consent for your child to best tested https://www.cognitoforms.com/VermontAgencyOfEducation/SY22COVID19TestingProgramConsentForm
Register for SimpleReport https://www.simplereport.gov/register/2N44J
Thank you for your continued support and understanding,
Liz Harty; Principal
Meghan Rink; School Nurse
December 2, 2021
Hello Westminster Families,
This is Liz Harty, the principal of Westminster Center School. I am calling to let you know that we have learned three members of our school community tested positive with COVID-19. These individuals have not been in school during their contagious period and there is no need to contact trace within the school.
Right now, the most important things to keep in mind are:
Make sure your child is wearing a mask when recommended and required.
Make sure your child is washing their hands.
Keep your child home if they are sick.
Call your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of Covid-19.
If you would like your child to participate in our weekly surveillance testing, please sign them up through this link: https://www.cic-health.com/consent/vt
If you would like your child to participate in our Test to Stay program if they are ever considered a close contact, please find the two links here:
Sign consent for your child to best tested https://www.cognitoforms.com/VermontAgencyOfEducation/SY22COVID19TestingProgramConsentForm
Register for SimpleReport https://www.simplereport.gov/register/2N44J
Thank you for your continued support and understanding,
Liz Harty; Principal
Meghan Rink; School Nurse
12/2/21
Hello WCS!
This morning we learned of a COVID positive case within our school community. This individual has not been in school since before Thanksgiving break, so there is no need to contact trace within the school.
We also had a positive case over Thanksgiving break. In similar fashion, the individual hadn't been in school in over a week and there was no need to contact trace within the school.
Thanks,
Liz
COVID-19 Update for 12/2/21
Dear WNESU Families,
In the last 24 hours, we have learned of 8 new positive cases: 3 at BFUHS, 1 at WCS, 1 at Central Office, and 3 at GES.
On a positive note, CES hosted its second vaccine clinic on Tuesday. 165 people received shots. The vast majority of them were students and second doses. Grafton Elementary will host its second clinic tomorrow.
We know that our surveillance testing and Test to Stay program are helping to keep students in school. However, these programs and our ability to ensure our students continue to receive the best educational opportunity only work when families do their part outside of school.
Any student who has been identified as a close contact and is unvaccinated, may participate in our Test to Stay Program. Information regarding this program may be found HERE.
The VT AOE Guidelines have indicated that if a building population were to reach 80% vaccinated (Students and Staff) that mask requirements and close contact tracing would not be required. Currently, the vaccination rate for staff at all buildings is above 80%. Please consider having your child vaccinated.
The majority of these new cases were discovered due to our weekly surveillance testing program. This program has proven to successfully identify many positive cases where those infected were unaware and potentially led to others not being infected. Starting Tuesday, November 9th, we will be switching our weekly PCR surveillance testing from Thursdays to Tuesdays. This will provide our staff better access to individuals to conduct contract tracing and hopefully avoid unnecessary quarantining.
Please remember if you have your child tested somewhere other than their school, those institutions do not always contact the school in a timely manner. We ask that you contact your child's school as soon as you become aware so we can begin contact tracing immediately.
If your child has been identified as being positive for COVID-19 or is instructed to quarantine we ask that this be observed even when home. Please do not let your child play with or visit others while being quarantined. If your child is still able to go to school, please do not let them play with or visit those who are ill or who are being quarantined. Your cooperation in this matter will go a long way to limiting future outbreaks and reducing the number of times we have to send students home or close classrooms.
We want to reassure you that we are working directly with the Vermont Department of Health. Anyone exposed, or has been identified as a direct contact, has been contacted by the school nurse and administration and given guidance on quarantine and other recommendations. If you have not been contacted, your child is not directly impacted by this case.
The most important things to do are:
Make sure your child is wearing a mask when recommended and required.
Make sure your child is washing their hands. Keep your child home if they are sick.
Call your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of Covid-19.
Consider having your child vaccinated if they are eligible.
Consider having your child participate in weekly surveillance testing.
In order to maintain everyone’s privacy, we cannot disclose who in our community has tested positive. Remember, we are all at risk for getting this virus. These COVID-19 cases are our friends and family and we need to be understanding and supportive during this time. We are following the Health Department recommendations closely. The school will be thoroughly disinfected and cleaned per guidance and no ill employee or student will be allowed to return to school until they are healthy. We will continue to communicate changes and updates with you. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us.
Be Safe,
Andy Haas
Interim Superintendent
Updates for 11/20/21
Dear WNESU Families,
A couple of updates and reminders as we move into the Thanksgiving Holiday Week.
Monday, November 22 is a regular school day for students and staff at Bellows Falls Union High School. Students who attend our elementary schools and Bellows Falls Middle School do not have school. Parent/Teacher conferences will take place on this day for those students. Check with your child’s school or teacher for times.
Tuesday, November 23 is a Professional Development Day for teachers and is a no school day for students.
Wednesday, November 24 is a no school day.
Thursday, November 25 is Thanksgiving. All WNESU buildings are closed.
Friday, November 26 is a no school day. All WNESU buildings are closed.
Monday, November 29 is a regular school day.
In the last 24 hours, we have received news of eight (8) positive COVID-19 cases throughout WNESU: 1 at WCS, 2 at CES, and 5 at BFMS. We will utilize the Test to Stay program to allow those students who are unvaccinated and consider close contacts to continue to attend school as long as they are negative and symptom free.
It is critical that those students that are participating in Test to Stay continue to practice quarantine procedures when they are not in school. Students who are in Test to Stay should not be at playgrounds, with friends, or other activities.
Additionally, Test to Stay is a program designed to allow students to continue to attend school and not interrupt their education, this is a fully voluntary program; however, please be aware that if the choice is to not participate, your child’s educational experience may be different while quarantining at home. Test to Stay is also for those students who have possible exposure at school.
As the weather gets colder, we know that winter is right around the corner. Every effort will be made to announce school cancellation as early as possible; which could include the day before. If school is cancelled due to weather, there will be NO INSTRUCTION on these days. Why we have the capability to provide remote instruction, the tradition of snow days is important in our community. Also, these days could provide a much needed interruption for both students and staff.
On a personal note, Thanksgiving is a time when we pause to take stock of our lives and acknowledge what we are truly thankful for. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve in the role of interim superintendent for WNESU. Thank you for all the support and feedback. It is a pleasure and a privilege to work with such a dedicated and professional staff. I feel confident that I can speak for every staff member as we wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.
Be Safe,
Andy Haas
Interim Superintendent
Hello Westminster Families, - 11/18/21
This is Liz Harty, the principal of Westminster Center School. I am calling to let you know that today, November 18th, we learned that a member of our school community tested positive with COVID-19. Anyone that was in close contact with this individual has already been contacted. This member of our school community has done the appropriate follow-up steps and will only return to school once they are symptom free without medication.
Right now, the most important things to keep in mind are:
Make sure your child is wearing a mask when recommended and required.
Make sure your child is washing their hands.
Keep your child home if they are sick.
Call your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of Covid-19.
If you would like your child to participate in our weekly surveillance testing, please sign them up through this link: https://www.cic-health.com/consent/vt
If you would like your child to participate in our Test to Stay program if they are ever considered a close contact, please find the two links here:
Sign consent for your child to best tested https://www.cognitoforms.com/VermontAgencyOfEducation/SY22COVID19TestingProgramConsentForm
Register for SimpleReport https://www.simplereport.gov/register/2N44J
Thank you for your continued support and understanding,
Liz Harty; Principal
Meghan Rink; School Nurse
November 16,2021
Hello Westminster Families,
This is Liz Harty, the principal of Westminster Center School. I am calling to let you know that today, November 16th, we learned that a member of our school community tested positive with COVID-19. Anyone that was in close contact with this individual has already been contacted. This member of our school community has done the appropriate follow-up steps and will only return to school once they are symptom free without medication.
Right now, the most important things to keep in mind are:
Make sure your child is wearing a mask when recommended and required.
Make sure your child is washing their hands.
Keep your child home if they are sick.
Call your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of Covid-19.
If you would like your child to participate in our weekly surveillance testing, please sign them up through this link: https://www.cic-health.com/consent/vt
If you would like your child to participate in our Test to Stay program if they are ever considered a close contact, please find the two links here:
Sign consent for your child to best tested https://www.cognitoforms.com/VermontAgencyOfEducation/SY22COVID19TestingProgramConsentForm
Register for SimpleReport https://www.simplereport.gov/register/2N44J
Thank you for your continued support and understanding,
Liz Harty; Principal
Meghan Rink; School Nurse
WNESU COVID-19 Update for 11/5/21
Dear WNESU Families,
Today, we learned of four (4) new positive cases of COVID-19 within our WNESU learning community. Two at Saxtons River Elementary School, one at Westminster Center School, and one at Grafton Elementary School. Any close contacts have already been notified.
WNESU will be offering two pediatric vaccine clinics next week. The first will be at Central Elementary School on November 9. The second will be at Grafton Elementary School on November 12. Students must be signed up through the VT Department of Health's website. It can be found HERE or you can call 855-722-7878. Families must complete the Pre-Screen Checklist Pre-Screen Checklist. Also, please read the Pfizer Fact Sheet Pfizer Fact Sheet
The majority of these new cases were discovered due to our weekly surveillance testing program. This program has proven to successfully identify many positive cases where those infected were unaware and potentially led to others not being infected. Starting Tuesday, November 9th, we will be switching our weekly PCR surveillance testing from Thursdays to Tuesdays. This will provide our staff better access to individuals to conduct contract tracing and hopefully avoid unnecassary quarantining.
Please remember if you have your child tested somewhere other than their school, those institutions do not always contact the school in a timely manner. We ask that you contact your child's school as soon as you become aware so we can begin contact tracing immediately.
If your child has been identified as being positive for COVID-19 or is instructed to quarantine we ask that this be observed even when home. Please do not let your child play with or visit others while being quarantined. If your child is still able to go to school, please do not let them play with or visit those who are ill or who are being quarantined. Your cooperation in this matter will go a long way to limiting future outbreaks and reducing the number of times we have to send students home or close classrooms.
We want to reassure you that we are working directly with the Vermont Department of Health. Anyone exposed, or has been identified as a direct contact, has been contacted by the school nurse and administration and given guidance on quarantine and other recommendations. If you have not been contacted, your child is not directly impacted by this case.
The most important things to do are:
Make sure your child is wearing a mask when recommended and required.
Make sure your child is washing their hands. Keep your child home if they are sick.
Call your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of Covid-19.
Consider having your child vaccinated if they are eligible.
Consider having your child participate in weekly surveillance testing.
In order to maintain everyone’s privacy, we cannot disclose who in our community has tested positive. Remember, we are all at risk for getting this virus. These COVID-19 cases are our friends and family and we need to be understanding and supportive during this time. We are following the Health Department recommendations closely. The school will be thoroughly disinfected and cleaned per guidance and no ill employee or student will be allowed to return to school until they are healthy. We will continue to communicate changes and updates with you. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us.
Be Safe,
Andy Haas
Interim Superintendent
Hello Westminster Families,
This is Liz Harty, the principal of Westminster Center School. I am calling to let you know that today, November 5th, we learned that a member of our school community tested positive with COVID-19. Anyone that was in close contact with this individual has already been contacted. This member of our school community has done the appropriate follow-up steps and will only return to school once they are symptom free without medication.
Right now, the most important things to keep in mind are:
Make sure your child is wearing a mask when recommended and required.
Make sure your child is washing their hands.
Keep your child home if they are sick.
Call your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of Covid-19.
If you would like your child to participate in our weekly surveillance testing, please sign them up through this link: https://www.cic-health.com/consent/vt
Thank you for your continued support and understanding,
Liz Harty; Principal
Meghan Rink; School Nurse
WNESU COVID-19 Update for 11/5/21
Dear WNESU Families,
Today, we learned of four (4) new positive cases of COVID-19 within our WNESU learning community. Two at Saxtons River Elementary School, one at Westminster Center School, and one at Grafton Elementary School. Any close contacts have already been notified.
WNESU will be offering two pediatric vaccine clinics next week. The first will be at Central Elementary School on November 9. The second will be at Grafton Elementary School on November 12. Students must be signed up through the VT Department of Health's website. It can be found HERE or you can call 855-722-7878. Families must complete the Pre-Screen Checklist Pre-Screen Checklist. Also, please read the Pfizer Fact Sheet Pfizer Fact Sheet
The majority of these new cases were discovered due to our weekly surveillance testing program. This program has proven to successfully identify many positive cases where those infected were unaware and potentially led to others not being infected. Starting Tuesday, November 9th, we will be switching our weekly PCR surveillance testing from Thursdays to Tuesdays. This will provide our staff better access to individuals to conduct contract tracing and hopefully avoid unnecassary quarantining.
Please remember if you have your child tested somewhere other than their school, those institutions do not always contact the school in a timely manner. We ask that you contact your child's school as soon as you become aware so we can begin contact tracing immediately.
If your child has been identified as being positive for COVID-19 or is instructed to quarantine we ask that this be observed even when home. Please do not let your child play with or visit others while being quarantined. If your child is still able to go to school, please do not let them play with or visit those who are ill or who are being quarantined. Your cooperation in this matter will go a long way to limiting future outbreaks and reducing the number of times we have to send students home or close classrooms.
We want to reassure you that we are working directly with the Vermont Department of Health. Anyone exposed, or has been identified as a direct contact, has been contacted by the school nurse and administration and given guidance on quarantine and other recommendations. If you have not been contacted, your child is not directly impacted by this case.
The most important things to do are:
Make sure your child is wearing a mask when recommended and required.
Make sure your child is washing their hands. Keep your child home if they are sick.
Call your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of Covid-19.
Consider having your child vaccinated if they are eligible.
Consider having your child participate in weekly surveillance testing.
In order to maintain everyone’s privacy, we cannot disclose who in our community has tested positive. Remember, we are all at risk for getting this virus. These COVID-19 cases are our friends and family and we need to be understanding and supportive during this time. We are following the Health Department recommendations closely. The school will be thoroughly disinfected and cleaned per guidance and no ill employee or student will be allowed to return to school until they are healthy. We will continue to communicate changes and updates with you. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us.
Be Safe,
Andy Haas
Interim Superintendent
Dear WNESU Families COVID-19 Update for Sunday, 10/31/21,
Today, we learned of 2wo (2) new positive cases of COVID-19 within our WNESU learning community at Westminster Center School
The majority of these new cases were discovered due to our weekly surveillance testing program. This program has proven to successfully identify many positive cases where those infected were unaware and potentially led to others not being infected. Starting Tuesday, November 9th, we will be switching our weekly PCR surveillance testing from Thursdays to Tuesdays. This will provide our staff better access to individuals to conduct contract tracing and hopefully avoid unnecassary quarantining.
Please remember if you have your child tested somewhere other than their school, those institutions do not always contact the school in a timely manner. We ask that you contact your child's school as soon as you become aware so we can begin contact tracing immediately.
If your child has been identified as being positive for COVID-19 or is instructed to quarantine we ask that this be observed even when home. Please do not let your child play with or visit others while being quarantined. If your child is still able to go to school, please do not let them play with or visit those who are ill or who are being quarantined. Your cooperation in this matter will go a long way to limiting future outbreaks and reducing the number of times we have to send students home or close classrooms.
We want to reassure you that we are working directly with the Vermont Department of Health. Anyone exposed, or has been identified as a direct contact, has been contacted by the school nurse and administration and given guidance on quarantine and other recommendations. If you have not been contacted, your child is not directly impacted by this case.
The most important things to do are:
Make sure your child is wearing a mask when recommended and required.
Make sure your child is washing their hands. Keep your child home if they are sick.
Call your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of Covid-19.
Consider having your child vaccinated if they are eligible.
Consider having your child participate in weekly surveillance testing.
In order to maintain everyone’s privacy, we cannot disclose who in our community has tested positive. Remember, we are all at risk for getting this virus. These COVID-19 cases are our friends and family and we need to be understanding and supportive during this time. We are following the Health Department recommendations closely. The school will be thoroughly disinfected and cleaned per guidance and no ill employee or student will be allowed to return to school until they are healthy. We will continue to communicate changes and updates with you. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us.
Be Safe,
Andy Haas
Interim Superintendent
Hello Westminster Families, 10/31
This is Liz Harty, the principal of Westminster Center School. I am calling to let you know that today, October 31st, we learned two members of our school community tested positive with COVID-19. Anyone that was in close contact with these individuals have already been contacted. These members of our school community have done the appropriate follow-up steps and will only return to school once they are symptom free without medication.
Right now, the most important things to keep in mind are:
Make sure your child is wearing a mask when recommended and required.
Make sure your child is washing their hands.
Keep your child home if they are sick.
Call your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of Covid-19.
If you would like your child to participate in our weekly surveillance testing, please sign them up through this link: https://www.cic-health.com/consent/vt
Thank you for your continued support and understanding,
Liz Harty; Principal
Meghan Rink; School Nurse
Saturday, 10/23/21 COVID-19 Update
Good Morning Westminster Families,
This is Liz Harty, the principal of Westminster Center School. I am calling to let you know that this morning, October 23rd, we learned two members of our school community tested positive with COVID-19. Since these individuals have not been in our building since last week, there is no need to contact trace. These members of our school community have done the appropriate follow-up steps and will only return to school once they are symptom free without medication.
Right now, the most important things to keep in mind are:
Make sure your child is wearing a mask when recommended and required.
Make sure your child is washing their hands.
Keep your child home if they are sick.
Call your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of Covid-19.
If you would like your child to participate in our weekly surveillance testing, please sign them up through this link: https://www.cic-health.com/consent/vt
Have a great weekend!
Liz Harty; Principal
Meghan Rink; School Nurse
Thursday, 10/21/21 COVID-19 Update
Hello Westminster Families,
This is Liz Harty, the principal of Westminster Center School. I am calling to let you know that this morning, October 21st, we learned a member of our school community tested positive with COVID-19. While we found out about this positive case today, this person has not been in the school since Friday, October 8th. This member of our school community has done the appropriate follow-up steps and will only return to school once they are symptom free without medication.
Right now, the most important things to keep in mind are:
Make sure your child is wearing a mask when recommended and required.
Make sure your child is washing their hands.
Keep your child home if they are sick.
Call your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of Covid-19.
If you would like your child to participate in our weekly surveillance testing, please sign them up through this link: https://www.cic-health.com/consent/vt
Thank you for your continued support and understanding,
Liz Harty; Principal
Meghan Rink; School Nurse
COVID-19 Update for Thursday, 10/21/21 - Superintendent
Dear WNESU Families,
Today, we learned of one (1) new positive cases of COVID-19 within our WNESU learning community at Westminster Center School.
We want to reassure you that we are working directly with the Vermont Department of Health. Anyone exposed, or has been identified as a direct contact, has been contacted by the school nurse and administration and given guidance on quarantine and other recommendations. If you have not been contacted, your child is not directly impacted by this case.
The most important things to do are:
Make sure your child is wearing a mask when recommended and required.
Make sure your child is washing their hands. Keep your child home if they are sick.
Call your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of Covid-19.
In order to maintain everyone’s privacy, we cannot disclose who in our community has tested positive. Remember, we are all at risk for getting this virus. These COVID-19 cases are our friends and family and we need to be understanding and supportive during this time. We are following the Health Department recommendations closely. The school will be thoroughly disinfected and cleaned per guidance and no ill employee or student will be allowed to return to school until they are healthy. We will continue to communicate changes and updates with you. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us.
Be Safe,
Andy Haas
Interim Superintendent
Superintendent Letter 10/16/21
Dear WNESU Families,
Today we learned of two (2) new positive cases of COVID-19 in our learning communities (1 at Bellows Falls Union High School and 1 at Westminster Center School). We want to reassure you that we are working directly with the Vermont Department of Health. Anyone exposed, or has been identified as a direct contact, has been contacted by the school nurse and administration and given guidance on quarantine and other recommendations. If you have not been contacted, your child is not directly impacted by this case.
The most important things to do are:
Make sure your child is wearing a mask when recommended and required.
Make sure your child is washing their hands. Keep your child home if they are sick.
Call your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of Covid-19.
In order to maintain everyone’s privacy, we cannot disclose who in our community has tested positive. Remember, we are all at risk for getting this virus. These COVID-19 cases are our friends and family and we need to be understanding and supportive during this time. We are following the Health Department recommendations closely. The school will be thoroughly disinfected and cleaned per guidance and no ill employee or student will be allowed to return to school until they are healthy. We will continue to communicate changes and updates with you. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us.
Be Safe,
Andy Haas
Interim Superintendent
Saturday, 10/9/21 COVID-19 Update
Hello Westminster Families,
This is Liz Harty, the principal of Westminster Center School. I am calling to let you know that this morning, October 9th, we learned that 2 members of our school community tested positive with COVID-19. Anyone that was in close contact with this individual has already been contacted. These members of our school community have done the appropriate follow-up steps and will only return to school once they are symptom free without medication.
Right now, the most important things to keep in mind are:
Make sure your child is wearing a mask when recommended and required.
Make sure your child is washing their hands.
Keep your child home if they are sick.
Call your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of Covid-19.
If you would like your child to participate in our weekly surveillance testing, please sign them up through this link: https://www.cic-health.com/consent/vt
Thank you for your continued support and understanding,
Liz Harty; Principal
Meghan Rink; School Nurse
Tuesday, 9/21/21 COVID-19 Update
Hello Westminster Families,
This is Liz Harty, the principal of Westminster Center School. I am calling to let you know that this morning, September 21st, we learned that a member of our school community tested positive with COVID-19. Anyone that was in close contact with this individual has already been contacted. This member of our school community has done the appropriate follow-up steps, worked with the health department, and will only return to school once they are symptom free without medication.
Right now, the most important things to keep in mind are:
Make sure your child is wearing a mask when recommended and required.
Make sure your child is washing their hands.
Keep your child home if they are sick.
Call your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of Covid-19.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding,
Liz Harty; Principal
Meghan Rink; School Nurse
Tuesday, 9/10/21 COVID-19 Update
Hello Westminster Families,
This is Liz Harty, the principal of Westminster Center School. I am calling to let you know that on today, September 10th we learned that a member of our school community tested positive with COVID-19. Anyone that was in close contact with this individual has already been contacted. This member of our school community has done the appropriate follow-up steps, worked with the health department, and will only return to school once they are symptom free without medication. Please keep them in your thoughts as they recover from this virus.
For more information about COVID, how it’s spread, and how you can prevent the spread, please read the attached document.
Thank you,
Liz
Tuesday, 9/9/21 COVID-19 Update
Hello Westminster Families,
This is Liz Harty, the principal of Westminster Center School. I am calling to let you know that on Wednesday, September 8th we learned that a member of our school community tested positive with COVID-19. While we found out about this positive case yesterday, this person has not been in our school since Friday, September 3rd. This case was not a result of in-school exposure and no students were exposed during their contagious period. Anyone that was in close contact with this individual has already been contacted. This member of our school community has done the appropriate follow-up steps, worked with the health department, and will only return to school once they are symptom free without medication. Please keep them in your thoughts as they recover from this virus.
For more information about COVID, how it’s spread, and how you can prevent the spread, please read the attached document.
Best,