CPS remains in hybrid for now as Canton shifts to ‘red’

Despite Canton’s move into the highest COVID risk category of “red,” the School Committee and Interim Superintendent Derek Folan have agreed to wait at least three weeks before deciding whether to continue in the hybrid learning model or switch to a full remote format.

The move to the red category was announced on October 14 via the state Department of Public Health’s weekly COVID-19 report as Canton’s average daily incidence rate over the last 14 days climbed to 9.9 per 100,000 (the threshold for red is greater than 8 per 100,000). This follows an earlier move from “green” in mid-September to “yellow” on September 30. Canton then remained in yellow for another week with the average daily incidence rate rising from 6.5 to 6.8 per 100,000 as of October 7.

School Committee Chair Kristin Mirliani has repeatedly stressed that the public health data is one of many metrics for determining how the district moves forward with its instructional model. Following the guidance from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, (DESE), Mirliani said the district will examine the data and other metrics for a three-week period. DESE also recommends that districts collaborate with local safety officials to examine the impact on schools, including but not limited to positive cases, contact tracing, quarantining requirements, and student and staff attendance. CPS administration meets daily with the Canton Health Department to review the town’s data, discuss any impact to the schools, and consider recommendations for overall safety.

In a letter to the school community sent last week, Folan emphasized that the red designation does not automatically signal a move to “Remote Learning 2.0.” He also noted that DESE’s guidance calls for consideration of “certain cohorts, grade levels, or schools” based on the information and impact. “This comprehensive analysis is especially important because the cases are not always connected to the school or school community families,” he explained.

Folan said if there is a positive case in the school community, he will send out a letter that confirms that information. However, in the interests of privacy, he will not identify a school, grade level, or whether it is a student or staff member. Most importantly, he said, the letters will state that ‘close contacts’ will be contacted by members of the Canton Health Department.

Folan also acknowledged that any temporary shift to remote learning can be challenging for families. “It is our hope to always provide advance notice, but there are other times when the information may come in quickly and the decision needs to be made immediately,” he said. “Please be prepared if we face this scenario. We want to be thoughtful and considerate of our families and educators, but we will act swiftly to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Our communications will come from the buildings and the district.”

Folan reminded the school community not to “let our guard down in and out of school — especially as we head into these coming months.” He said it is especially important to wear masks, practice social distancing, adhere to safety protocols and routinely practice good hand hygiene.

The full text of Folan’s letter, along with other relevant information about COVID-19 protocols and identification of close contacts, can be found on the superintendent’s blog at cantonschoolnews.com …

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Posted by Mike Berger on Oct 23 2020. Filed under News, Schools. Both comments and pings are currently closed.