Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we head into the holiday season, I am hopeful this year looks far different for many families to gather safely and spend time with their families. We continue to follow the Maine CDC Standard Operating Procedures and advocate prevention measures to mitigate risk for our staff and students. Thank you to our parents and community for doing their part.
POOLED TESTING HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
During the week of Thanksgiving (November 22-26), pooled testing will not be conducted or collected in any Maine schools. Although pooled testing will resume the following week we return, anyone participating who is unvaccinated and identified as a close contact from a school exposure would need to either:
Looking ahead to December and the Winter Break, the last pooled testing date before the Winter Break will be Friday, December 17th. Testing will resume the week of January 3, 2022.
VACCINATION CLINICS FOR YOUTH
Our clinics with MaineHealth throughout Biddeford, Saco, and Dayton have been a huge success with over 750 youth (ages 5-11) receiving their first dose of the COVID vaccine by the end of today. Within the first two weeks, over 10,000 children ages 5 to 11 have received their first dose in Maine (see WMTW article 11.14.21).
Please note that if your child had their first dose at one of the school clinics over the last two weeks, their second dose is scheduled for the SAME TIME and LOCATION on the dates below.
These clinics are restricted solely for those receiving their second doses. If your child missed these clinics, please contact their primary care physician or one of the local pharmacies to schedule an appointment as we evaluate if we will host future clinics.
Biddeford Middle School: December 1st
Saco Parks & Recreation: December 3rd
Governor John Fairfield School: December 8th
Dayton Consolidated School: December 9th
John F. Kennedy School: December 10th
Thank you to many volunteers and our special guests' Slugger from the Portland Sea Dogs, Beacon from the Mainers, and Thornton Academy’s Trojan who added some much-needed distraction and eased the fears for many of the students receiving their vaccine.
REMINDER: Please ensure your child comes to school prepared with mittens, hats, and multiple layers to remain warm while on the bus, during recess, or during other outside adventures. If your child is in need of warm winter gear, please reach out to your child(ren)’s principal and we will do our best to assist thanks to recent grant funding.
Stay Well,
Jeremy Ray
Superintendent of Schools
