Precautionary health measures announced at CHS, JFK

A large house party attended by Canton High School students and a positive COVID case impacting the Kennedy Elementary community prompted administrators to temporarily shift to a remote learning model at both schools following the recent three-day holiday weekend.

In separate notifications from Interim Superintendent of Schools Derek Folan, students at both CHS and JFK were instructed not to enter the buildings on Tuesday, October 13, and to await word from administrators regarding next steps. All CHS athletic activities, including games, practices and the strength and conditioning program, were also postponed on Tuesday, October 13.

After further review and in consultation with local health officials, Folan announced Tuesday night that CHS would be able to resume the hybrid learning model effective Thursday (today), while the JFK would remain in the remote model through the remainder of the week.

Folan explained that the decision on the JFK was primarily due to a staffing issue and stressed that there have been no additional cases or complications. In his initial letter to families, he explained that, per the district’s newly approved COVID protocols, “close contacts” had been identified and recommended for quarantining.

“It is important to remember that COVID protocols are often precautionary and promote safety in the moment, during quarantine periods and overall,” Folan wrote. “It is also important to note that our custodians conduct thorough cleanings every night and enhanced cleanings every Wednesday and Saturday.”

Folan emphasized that the move to remote learning at JFK was temporary and said it is the desire of CPS leaders to “stay in the hybrid model.” At the same time, he reminded families that CPS will periodically use the remote learning model to “promote safety, review health data, analyze building needs and attendance, and conduct additional contact tracing, if needed.”

“Depending on the scenario,” he said, “the remote learning model may be the mode of education for one day, multiple days, a full 14-day quarantine period, or a longer stretch. In addition, we will always assess the data and impact so our approach can be measured and targeted to a grade level, set of classes/cohorts, or an entire school.”

In the case of Canton High, Folan said he was confident in his decision to resume in-person learning after a thorough health review but expressed disappointment in the decision-making of those who attended the party.

While he did not provide a specific number, Folan said “numerous” CHS students were in attendance at the Sunday night gathering, which was broken up by the Canton police. He added that while there was no evidence of positive or symptomatic cases among those in attendance, “many safety protocols and expectations were not followed.”

House parties have been an issue for school districts in other Massachusetts communities as well, including neighboring Milton, where a party of 50 to 100 teenagers prompted a comprehensive health review. Other high-profile incidents have been reported in Falmouth, Sherborn and Sudbury, with the latter resulting in charges being filed against the homeowners and their teenage child for violating the state’s social host law.

The discovery of the Canton party also comes at a time when health experts are voicing growing concern about private gatherings and the role that young people in particular play in spreading the coronavirus.

Just last week, during a visit to the Boston area, Dr. Deborah Birx of the White House coronavirus task force warned about an “early, asymptomatic spread” occurring in the Northeast that she said has been largely fueled by social gatherings and relaxed personal behavior among family and friends.

Speaking at a press conference outside the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Birx said, “We take down our guard when we are with people we know. And we assume if we know you, you couldn’t have COVID.”

Canton Fire Chief Charles Doody, a member of the town’s COVID-19 Task Force, has also spoken frequently about the risks of large gatherings and has repeatedly urged the town’s younger residents to stay vigilant and do their part in the fight against COVID. During one of his weekly messages, Doody concluded his remarks with a direct plea to the town’s younger population.

“You’re commitment to wearing a face mask in public, avoiding large gatherings and refraining from hosting or attending large parties may very well be the key to our return to normal,” he said. “This is your opportunity to do the right thing, lead by example and help us all combat COVID-19.”

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=70493

Posted by Jay Turner on Oct 16 2020. Filed under News, Schools. Both comments and pings are currently closed.