Dear SPS Families and Staff:

I hope everyone has had a chance to celebrate the holidays with family and friends while also finding some time to relax. As we prepare to open school on Monday, January 3, 2022, I wanted to let everyone know of important updates just published by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) regarding COVID-19 protocols. On Wednesday, DESE announced that they are adopting the new CDC guidelines with respect to isolation if someone tests positive for COVID-19. As a result, The Department of Public Health (DPH) has updated the state-wide guidance which includes a reduction of the required isolation period for COVID-19 positive individuals in K-12 schools from 10 days down to 5 days, effective immediately.

The details of the updated guidance may be found at https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/. As a result, students and staff who were positive over the vacation and meet these updated criteria on Monday, January 3, 2022, may return. Repeat testing is not necessary if you are asymptomatic and fever free for 24 hours. Please read the guidance for all details. I remind everyone that masks are still required in school and must be worn to cover the nose and mouth. Working together we can limit the spread of the virus.

I look forward to seeing everyone in school next week. Please know of my best wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Sincerely,

Dr. Thomas R. Raab 

Superintendent of Schools