Schools stick with hybrid despite continued ‘red’ status

The Canton School Committee last week followed the recommendation of Interim School Superintendent Derek Folan and agreed to continue with the hybrid learning model despite another week of rising COVID-19 case counts.

The decision was made on the same day that Canton received its third “red” designation in as many weeks as reported by the state Department of Public Health. Communities are designated as “red” when their average daily incidence rate of positive COVID cases exceeds eight people per 100,000 over the previous 14 days. Canton first exceeded that threshold on October 14 with a rate of 9.9 per 100,000. That figure climbed to 11.1 per 100,000 on October 21 and rose again to 12.4 per 100,000 as of last Thursday. (New data will be released today.)

As a result of being in the red category for three consecutive weeks, Canton joins 14 other Massachusetts communities that have been ordered to revert back to Step 1 of Phase 3 of the state’s reopening plan, and a statewide public safety alert pushed out via mobile devices on Monday identified Canton as a town where COVID-19 is currently a “serious threat.” Other towns receiving that label include Abington, Berkley, East Longmeadow, Fairhaven, Fall River, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Marshfield, Milford, Pembroke, Rockland, Wakefield and Weymouth.

Currently, more than one-third of the state’s 351 cities and towns — 121 in all — are in the red category, including the neighboring towns of Dedham, Norwood, Westwood and Randolph.

With so many communities now designated as high risk, Folan said the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has issued revised guidance stating that districts should remain in the hybrid model unless there is evidence of transmission within the schools. After consulting with the Canton Health Department, Folan reported that there has been no such evidence of school-based transmission in Canton and recommended a continuation of the current hybrid format, and School Committee members concurred.

Besides the discussion of the red designation and its implications, last week’s committee meeting also featured two major personnel announcements. First, the medical leave of Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Fischer-Mueller was extended an additional four weeks until January 7, 2021. School Committee Chair Kristin Mirliani said the district is lucky to have the professional services of Folan during Fischer-Mueller’s absence.

The second announcement concerned the resignation of Nurse Leader Elizabeth Nightingale, who was the COVID-19 point person for the district and helped to write many of the School Department’s COVID protocols. Folan said Nightingale has been an integral part of the CPS administrative team and will be sorely missed. “She approached her work with such grace, expertise, and confidence,” he said.

In a letter to the Canton school community, Nightingale noted that she has personal responsibilities related to the health of a family member that requires her immediate and full attention. “I will miss the collaborative teamwork that has been a common thread throughout my time in the district,” she said. “I have thoroughly enjoyed leading the dedicated nursing staff and working with other district staff. In particular, our work to develop the district COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols is a source of pride.” She also expressed thanks to many district partners, including the Health Department, the Fire and Police departments, school physician Dr. Daniel Muse, and the Canton Alliance Against Substance Abuse.

Folan recommended that current district nurse Lauren Pushard be appointed as interim nurse leader following an extensive search and her appointment was approved by the School Committee.

See this week’s print edition for a comprehensive recap of the October 29 School Committee meeting. Fall Subscription Promo: $30 for 1 year or $50 for 2 years for new in-town subscribers. Click here to subscribe today.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Nov 6 2020. Filed under News, Schools. Both comments and pings are currently closed.