Update Letter
November 24th
Yesterday afternoon, Nov 23rd I was contacted by a Central Maine Newspaper reporter regarding the COVID 19 outbreak at Valley. I shared with the reporter that I had not been informed by CDC that Valley’s COVID 19 cases constituted an outbreak. I then spoke to the Department of Education to see if they were aware that MSAD 13’s cases at Valley had been classified as an outbreak. The DOE reached out to CDC on our behalf and I received a phone call from CDC informing me that Valley was listed as an outbreak but that the outbreak is scheduled to be closed Nov 27th. I requested a meeting with CDC and DOE for today.
The CDC confirmed today that the outbreak at Valley began on Nov 10thand was based on the 8 cases that occurred between Nov 10th and Nov 17th. CDC’s definition of an outbreak is 3 or more cases within a 14 day period.
CDC stated that our decision to move grades 5-12 to remote learning was a correct decison. CDC is encouraging schools to not disrupt the lives of students and staff who are not actual close contacts when possible. We were told that our protocols are appropriate and that transmission of COVID 19 is occurring in the communities and being brought into our schools. CDC went on to say that by following the Standard Operating Procedures(SOP) MSAD 13 had prevent a larger outbreak occurring at Valley. They went on to say that the district had handled the cases very appropriately and that is why there was no spread within our school. All our cases were due to community transmission.
Our schools are here for our students. This year will continue to be challenging, our goal is to keep our schools open for in-person instruction for our students. For in person learning to continue to occur, the Board continues providing support to our staff. The board decided to provide two additional workshop and planning days for staff on Dec 21st and 22nd. Students will not attend school on these days either in person or remotely. The additional time is necessary for the staff to continue preparing lessons for in person and remote learning. Allowing staff this additional time will benefit our students and their learning. We recognize that workshop time is a burden to our families, but we ask for your understanding.
Somerset County is experiencing its highest number of cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. Maine CDC has announced that Somerset County’s infection rate is the third highestin Maine at 24.4, and its positivity rates remain the highest of any county at 4.7 percent. Over the last 30 days, the new case rate in Maine schools, including both students and staff, was 8.8 cases per 10,000, compared to 19.9 cases per 10,000 in Maine overall. This indicates that school settings, where masking and social distancing practices are strictly adhered to, are safer than other community settings.
If you want to keep our schools operating in person for our students then we need you to do your part. There are things that you can do in your community that will help keep our schools operating in person. CDC and DOE have stated that one of the biggest things we can all do is to wear our masks and remain socially distanced from people we don’t live with. The number of cases in our school shows that the virus has a hard time spreading when we wear our masks and social distance.
So please help us keep our students in person in our schools. Wear your mask, social distance and avoid unnecessary gatherings. We can do this but only if you help us.
I will continue to update you as I receive new information. Happy Thanksgiving to all. Please stay safe and healthy.
Respectfully,
Sandra J MacArthur
Superintendent MSAD 13
RISE Award Finalists
National Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award
Congratulations Bonnie!!
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) today announced the finalists for the recently enacted, national Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award. This new award, passed by the United States Congress in 2019 and overseen by the U.S. Department of Education, honors classified school employees who provide exemplary service.
Nominator Wendy Belanger (Colleague): “There are very few people that make an impact in the way Bonnie does in a school. She is the core of our school community. She is so approachable and often after a child has moved on from our school, parents and caregivers will still reach out to Bonnie for information and assistance with numerous things. She is always willing to assist them. Moscow Elementary is very lucky to have her.”
Board Meeting
Monthly Meeting
The Board Meeting will take place via Teams.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app
Holiday Celebrations
Information
As we see the escalating impact of COVID-19 in our communities and across our state and the nation, MSAD 13 recognizes that friends and families are looking for ways to connect and to maintain normal traditions in an abnormal time. As the holiday season approaches, it is critically important that our school communities continue to do everything we can in order to keep our schools safe, open, and able to provide in-person instruction.
This may mean making the safe and difficult choice to limit holiday gathering and travel, as we know that both have additional risks for exposure and transmission of the virus. The United States Center for Disease Control has issued strong guidance to the American people to limit our interactions and travel this holiday season, so that we can all gather safely in the future. Further details of the CDC’s recommendations can be found, here.
Based on the recommendations of the community health experts, we strongly encourage our staff and students to celebrate each holiday within your current household only, and to limit any large gatherings.
Any staff or students who travel to any state other than New Hampshire or Vermont (no restrictions for these two states only as of 11/16/20; this is subject to change), will be required to either
1. quarantine for 14 days upon return to Maine, or
2. quarantine until receiving a negative test result. The test must be taken either:
a. in the state you are visiting and no more than 72 hours prior to your return to Maine, or
b. once you return to Maine.
Any staff or students who have travelled to restricted states will not be permitted inside the school building until either the negative test result or 14 days has occurred.
This is not dependent on the length of time spent within the restricted states, meaning that a day visit still requires any person to quarantine for 14 days or until a negative test result is confirmed. All members of the household who travel must test or quarantine if over 12 months old. Testing site information for Maine can be found here.
Any person who is quarantining should stay home, and not have in-person contact with others unless there is an emergency.
A non-traditional Thanksgiving can be hard on all of us, and CDC has some suggestions on healthy alternatives and precautions to consider that can be found, here. Please stay safe and help us to keep our school community safe and able to provide for the students we serve.
Respectfully,
Sandra MacArthur
Superintendent of Schools
Dear Parents and Guardians
Notice
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I am writing to inform you that you have a right to make a request in writing to receive information regarding any state or district policy/procedure related to and/or to opt your child out of any state or district assessment.
In addition to the annual state assessment given in the spring (for which notice is sent separately), our district uses several other assessments to target intervention instruction and to determine general student and class progress in the curriculum:
· aimsweb Plus is used K-8 for math and literacy benchmark and progress monitoring measures
· NWEA is used K-12 for math, literacy and science benchmarking measures
· PSAT 8/9, PSAT/NMSQT, SAT is used in grades 8-11 for math and literacy measures
Normally, aimsweb and NWEA administration benchmarks are given around the first two weeks of September, the last two weeks of January and the last two weeks of May. This year, the PSAT is administered on 10/14/2020 and the SAT administered on 4/17/2021. Individual progress monitoring occurs weekly or bi-weekly depending on need.
Concerns or questions may be directed to Melissa Lyons-Vitalone, ESEA and Assessment Coordinator, by calling 672-3300 ext. 119 or emailing her at Melissa.lyons-vitalone@sad13.org.
Sincerely,
Melissa Lyons-Vitalone
RSU 83/MSAD 13 ESEA and Assessment Coordinator
Students and Families of Valley High School:
Remote Instruction
Remote, online instruction will begin on Monday, 11/16/2020.
Please know that work from this remote learning period is graded and necessary to earn credit for your courses.
This is what we need from students:
Complete the daily attendance check-in on Microsoft Teams. If you are unable to access Teams to check-in, please call the school at (207)672-3300.
Check for assignments on Teams every day.
Complete assignments on time and to the best of your ability.
Check PowerSchool every week to review your grades.
Contact your teachers by e-mail, Teams Chat, or phone with any questions.
Parents can reach teachers by e-mail or phone. We will reply promptly to all questions; you should expect a reply within 24 hours.
To reach a teacher by phone, call (207)672-3300.
To find a teacher’s e-mail address, type his or her last name into the search feature of the staff directory at https://www.sad13.org/staff.
Please call or e-mail me if you have any questions or issues.
Sincerely,
Jim Tyler
(207)672-3300 ext. 351
Exterior Renovations
Public Input
We are posting the preliminary designs for the Revolving Renovation Project at Upper Kennebec Jr/Sr High School. The renovation project will provide new doors and windows at Valley. The Board of Directors had planned to hold an informational meeting to allow the public to view the proposed designs and provide a time for the public to ask questions and provide comments. Unfortunately, the informational cannot occur due to COVID-19.
This project has to move forward in a timely manner in order for the renovations to be completed by August 31, 2021. In order to meet that timeline, the design has to be completed and the bid packages for contractors must be sent out in mid-December.
In order to provide the public an opportunity to review the proposed design at this time we have posted them on the district website. You may submit your questions and comments to Carol Hines at carol.hines@sad13.org.
We will also post the preliminary designs at several community locations to provide you with the opportunity to view them. Please know that we value your input and regret that we cannot hold the informational meeting at this time.
Stay safe and well.
Respectfully,
Sandra MacArthur, Superintendent MSAD 13
Temporary staffing changes at Upper Kennebec Valley Jr/Sr High School
Parents, Students, and Community Members
The following staffing changes may impact your child/ren.
Mr. Lee Harper is currently out of the district for an extended period of time. In order to provide leadership at Upper Kennebec Valley Jr/Sr High School the following changes have been implemented.
Mrs. Cathy Foran will serve as lead teacher for the junior high school. If your child attends grades 5-8 at Valley, then Mrs. Foran will be your contact for routine questions and concerns. You may reach Mrs. Foran by calling 672-3300 or emailing her at Cathy.Foran@sad13.org
Mr. James Tyler will serve as lead teacher for the high school. If your child attends grades 9-12 at Valley, then Mr. Tyler will be your contact for routine questions and concerns. You may reach Mr. Tyler by calling 672-3300 or emailing him at James.Tyler@sad13.org
Melissa Lyons-Vitalone and I will be assuming some of the administrative duties normally handled by the building principal.
We appreciate your support and cooperation as we continue to adjust to the challenges that the district is currently facing.
Respectfully,
Sandra MacArthur
Superintendent of Schools
MSAD #13 Wellness Corner
December 2020
Click the link above to view the full letter!
From the Nurse
Additional COVID Information
On November 10, 2020, SAD #13 was notified of a positive COVID-19 case within our district.
Several individuals have been identified as close contacts and have been asked to quarantine.
COVID-19 Quarantine instructions for individuals identified as a close contact
· Stay home for 14 days after your last contact with the person who has tested positive
· You should check your temperature twice a day and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19
· You cannot have visitors
· You cannot go out in public (for example: work, grocery stores, banks, gas stations, beaches, or parks) – if you need supplies, someone can drop them at your door while you remain inside with the door closed.
· You can leave quarantine only if absolutely necessary and/or for medical care.
· NOTE – A negative test does not get you out of the 14 day quarantine.
Other members of your household may continue to go to work/school as long as they do not have any symptoms and no one in the household tests positive.
Moscow Students
School Information
Dear Moscow School Grown Ups,
Today has been a very challenging day. At this time, Moscow School will remain open for in person learning. Valley Jr and Sr High School at this time is scheduled to return to in person learning the 30th of November. We have been in contact with the CDC and Maine Department of Education. Our decision to remain open is based on these agencies.
Please know that we will remain vigilant and encourage you to as well. We are so fortunate to have such a supportive school community.
Please contact us with any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Wendy Belanger
Moscow Elementary School Principal
9th-12th Grade Students - COVID-19 Positive Test
Important Information for your grade!
Dear Valley High School Parents and Students,
I am writing to inform you that MSAD 13 was recently notified that a student has tested positive for COVID-19. We have several staff members identified as probable positive cases. If your child is a Valley High School student, they will need to quarantine. Being in quarantine means:
· Your child must stay home until Nov 24th, 14 days after the last contact with the COVID case
· Check your child’s temperature twice per day and watch for symptoms of COVID-19
· If possible, stay away from people who are at higher risk for getting very ill from COVID-19
· Your child cannot have visitors or go out into the public
· Your child can leave quarantine for necessary and emergency medical care only
Other members of your household can go to work/school as long as they are asymptomatic, and your child has not received a positive test result.
While a negative test result will not remove the requirement for your child to quarantine, we recommend, you reach out to your primary care physician to discuss being tested. Currently, Valley is planning to return to in-person learning on Nov 30th. All Valley students will move to remote learning on Nov 12th.
The district will begin delivering meals on Nov 12th. The delivery bus/van will leave Valley at 10:30 a.m. Please email Corey Farnham at to arrange for breakfast and lunch to be delivered. It will be most helpful if you place a container outside like you did in the spring.
Concerns or questions for the school may be directed to Mel Chadbourne, RN by calling 672-5572 or emailing her at mel.chadbourne@sad13.org. You may also contact me Sandra MacArthur, Superintendent of Schools by calling 672-5502 or email me at Sandra.macarthur@sad13.org.
You will find updated information on the district website.
Sincerely,
Sandra MacArthur
Superintendent of Schools
8th Grade Students - COVID-19 Positive Test
Important Information for your grade!
Dear 8th Grade Parents and Students,
I am writing to inform you that MSAD 13 was recently notified that a student at Valley has tested positive for COVID-19. We have several staff members identified as probable positive cases. If your child is a grade 8 student, they will need to quarantine. Being in quarantine means:
· Your child must stay home until Nov 21st, 14 days after the last contact with the COVID case
· Check your child’s temperature twice per day and watch for symptoms of COVID-19
· If possible, stay away from people who are at higher risk for getting very ill from COVID-19
· Your child cannot have visitors or go out into the public
· Your child can leave quarantine for necessary and emergency medical care only
Other members of your household can go to work/school as long as they are asymptomatic, and your child has not received a positive test result.
While a negative test result will not remove the requirement for your child to quarantine, we recommend, you reach out to your primary care physician to discuss being tested. Currently, Valley is planning to return to in-person learning on Nov 30th. All Valley students will move to remote learning on Nov 12th.
The district will begin delivering meals on Nov 12th. Please email Corey Farnham at to arrange for breakfast and lunch to be delivered. The delivery bus/van will leave Valley at 10:30 a.m. It will be most helpful if you place a container outside like you did in the spring.
Concerns or questions for the school may be directed to Mel Chadbourne, RN by calling 672-5572 or emailing her at mel.chadbourne@sad13.org. You may also contact me Sandra MacArthur, Superintendent of Schools by calling 672-5502 or emailing me at Sandra.macarthur@sad13.org.
You will find updated information on the district website.
Sincerely,
Sandra MacArthur
Superintendent of School
5th, 6th, and 7th Grade Students - COVID-19 Positive Test
Important Information for your grade!
Dear 5th, 6th and 7th Grade Parents and Students,
I am writing to inform you that MSAD 13 was recently notified that a student at Valley has tested positive for COVID-19. We have several staff members identified as probable positive cases. Your child has not been identified as a close contact at this time. We do recommend that you check your child’s temperature twice per day and watch for symptoms of COVID-19. You may want to have your child stay away from people who are at higher risk for getting very ill from COVID-19.
Currently, Valley is planning to return to in-person learning on Nov 30th. All Valley students will move to remote learning on Nov 12th. The district will begin delivering meals on Nov 12th. The delivery bus/van will leave Valley at 10:30 a.m. Please email Corey Farnham at corey.farnham@sad13.org to arrange for breakfast and lunch to be delivered. It will be most helpful if you place a container outside like you did in the spring.
Concerns or questions for the school may be directed to Mel Chadbourne, RN by calling 672-5572 or emailing her at mel.chadbourne@sad13.org. You may also contact me Sandra MacArthur, Superintendent of Schools by calling 672-5502 or emailing me at Sandra.macarthur@sad13.org.
You will find updated information on the district website.
Sincerely,
Sandra MacArthur
Superintendent of Schools
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