COVID-19 Updates & Weekly Testing Sign-Up
COVID-19 at O'Maley: As of today, December 23rd, we have had 8 new cases reported this week and there are currently 13 active cases. All close contacts have been contacted. Since August 31, 2021 we have had 48 cases among our staff and student community. See the new GPS COVID Dashboard for updated data each week: https://backtogether.gloucesterschools.com/updates/dashboard-covid-cases.
As I shared earlier in the week, we had zero positive cases from our weekly group testing. If you are interested in signing up your child, please use the link below. At this time still just a third of our school community is enrolled and tested each week.
To Sign Up for Weekly Testing: Link here: https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma?district=Gloucester.I encourage families to sign their children up to be tested. Individuals signed up to participate last year DO need to re-register. Parents/Guardians MUST complete the form to give permission in order for a student to be tested.
We are continuing to be vigilant here at school, despite that we are all fatigued with the pandemic and its restrictions. At home, please be mindful of the following helpful guidance to prevent the increasing spread:
- Be mindful of large gatherings with people you are not usually around.
- Wear masks at all indoor gatherings.
- Keep students at home if they are ill. Please follow the expectations outlined on the O'Maley handbook and contact the nurses' office if your child is sick. They can advise on symptoms and discuss testing if needed. '
- Get vaccinated for both COVID and the flu.
Please remember to conduct a daily symptom check with your children. Link here for the daily symptom check information. Please be sure to call the nurses' office at 978-281-9847 if your child is experiencing any of the symptoms as described. Our nurses, Kim Cameron and Alycia Gossom can answer questions and will guide you as to what you need to do related to testing and/or documentation from your child's doctor. Students must not come to school with symptoms.
As we head toward the holiday season, please be aware of the COVID-19 Travel Guidelines. Link here for information on what is needed to return to school following travel.
Masks & Distancing: Per the Massachusetts DESE and the Gloucester School Committee, all students and staff will be masked in GPS buildings except at lunch or mask break when they are socially distanced at 3 feet or more. Per DESE, masks are required in public schools until at least January 15, 2022. Masks are not required outdoors. For details on our health and safety protocols district wide, please visit the GPS COVID Guidance and Updates website at https://backtogether.gloucesterschools.com/.
Students must bring their own masks to school each day. While we all wish we did not have to wear them, masks continue to be required indoors at school. Thank you!
Contact Information
Email: lbeattie@gloucesterschools.com
Website: http://omaley.gloucesterschools.com/
Location: 32 Cherry Street, Gloucester, MA, USA
Phone: 978-281-9850
Twitter: @omaleyprincipal