Dear Holliman Families,

Welcome Back from Winter Break! We have a busy week ahead!

• Wednesday, March 1st is Spring Picture Day! Students will be sent home with order forms on Monday.
• Thursday, March 2nd is our PTA Sponsored Science Fair from 5:30-7:30pm in the All Purpose Room.
• During the Science Fair, please stop by the Library for a Cannoli with Mrs. Cabana. I will be answering questions regarding our 3 Star Rating from RIDE AND I encourage you to please take the time to complete the Survey Works Family Survey!
• Below you will find updated COVID-19 guidance from Ms. Cano, WPS COVID Coordinator. Please be sure to review the guidance in its entirety.
  

Here is the Family Survey link if you'd like to get it done before Thursday ( you can still stop by for a Cannoli)! http://bit.ly/ridefamily

Sincerely,

Mrs. Cabana, Principal

COVID REPORTING

Staff and Student COVID Reporting information will continue to be collected. Due to changes, new COVID reporting forms for both Staff and Students have been published to the Warwick Public Schools website. The new Student link can be found HERE.

MAY 11, 2023 - END OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

In January, the Biden Administration extended COVID as a Public Health Emergency until May 11th. Unless an event occurs that is reminiscent of March 13, 2020, there is no intention of extending that Public Health Emergency Declaration. How that is going to look, we are not 100% sure of at this time. We will keep you updated as we learn more.

MAJOR CHANGE #1: 48 HOUR HOME TESTING RULE FOR SYMPTOMATIC INDIVIDUALS

The guideline WPS has been following to date is that the only way we could accept a negative at-home test result as a true negative result if is two tests came back negative within 48 hours of one another.

The new guideline states that we can accept ONE negative at-home test as a true negative result. The symptomatic individual would stay home for 24 hours. The next day, if that individual tests negative with an at-home test, doesn't have a fever, and isn't experiencing any new symptoms, he/she will be allowed to return to school.

The CDC believes at-home test technology has advanced to the point that one test is sufficient in determining a true result. RIDOH agrees. This change will be implemented effective 2/27/2023.

MANDATORY MASKING WHEN RETURNING FROM ISOLATION DAYS 6 THROUGH 10

The guideline we have been following states that if an individual is a Positive COVID case, he or she must isolate at home for 5 days. The individual may return to school days 6 through 10 as long as he/she can wear a mask at school, and is not required to provide a negative test upon return.

The CDC now states an individual may not need to mask Days 8 through 10. After completing the mandatory isolation period, if the returning individual tests negative with 2 at home tests within a 48-hour period and has not had a fever, he/she would not be mandated to mask. Here's how that scenario would play out:

• Day 6 - Individual is ready to return to school and must wear a mask. If the individual returning takes an at-home test and the result is negative, we take note of that.
• Day 7 - Individual must wear a mask.
• Day 8 - If the individual takes that second at-home test and the result is negative, as long as he/she is fever-free, he/she will not be mandated to continue mask wearing.

In the same token, if a person tests positive on Day 6, he/she may still return and is mandated to wear a mask. Let's say the same person tests negative on Day 7. That's when the 48-hour clock would begin. Individual would be required to wear a mask Day 8. If that person tests negative on Day 9 and is fever-free, he or she will not be mandated to wear a mask. And so on and so forth. If the first home test does not come back negative until Day 9, the individual will be required to complete the 5 day masking period.

Masking always remains optional for anyone who finds themselves in a situation where they are uncomfortable with the masking choices of people around them.

The Rhode Island Department of Education is currently administering its annual SurveyWorks Family Survey, which is an opportunity for family members to provide feedback about our school community and our children’s opportunities to learn.

The survey results are most useful when all families participate! Our goal is to get to 100% participation this year!

Your views on matters like the safety of your child at school, the way students are taught, the condition of the school, and how connected you feel to this school are important. By taking this short survey, you can help our school leadership and school community to make improvements. Responses are anonymous and cannot be linked to any individual; no one can tie your responses back to you.

You can take the short survey online between January 17 and March 31. To take the survey, visit: bit.ly/ridefamily. Choose your school from the dropdown list.

Below is an invitation to an in person meeting to learn more about Survey Works. A virtual option will also be offered immediately following the PTA meeting!

Kindergarten: https://www. weareteachers.com/ kindergarten-science- activities/

Grade 1: https://www.weareteachers. com/first-grade-science- projects/

Grade 2: https://www.weareteachers. com/2nd-grade-science/

Grade 3: https://www.weareteachers.com/ 3rd-grade-science-projects/

Grade 4: https://www.weareteachers. com/4th-grade-science- experiments/

Grade 5: https://www.weareteachers. com/5th-grade-science- projects/

Remember your golden tickets are here, we'll contact you if you're a winner!

Golden Ticket Winners: Feinstein Facebook Page

Virtual Journal

Keep an eye out for our next good deeds collection, we need to redecorate the tree!!

Visit the Feinstein website to learn more about this wonderful foundation and how they help so many schools and people in need!!

Feinstein Foundation

Don't forget to use your Feinstein Jr. Scholar Card to have free fun with your family!!

• At morning arrival please use the drop off loop via Mullen Rd. The traffic pattern goes VERY quickly and a staff member can assist your child exit the passenger side of your vehicle.
• If you are dropping off your child after 9am, please pull into the back parking lot near the trees.
• Please avoid pulling into the main parking lot.
• Please do not go down any "one ways."
• Thank you for your cooperation!

Spring Picture Day

Wednesday, March 1st

Science Fair/Cannolis & Surveys w/ Mrs. Cabana

Thursday, March 2nd 5:30-8:00

Ann Palumbo, Secretary

Alison Razza, Nurse

Email: kimberly.cabana@warwickschools.org
Website: https://holliman.warwickschools.org/
Location: 70 Deborah Road, Warwick, RI, USA
Phone: 401-734-3170
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082896548282
Twitter: @PrincipalCaban1