Reading Schools Prepare To Phase In More Grades Next Week

READING, MA — The Reading Public Schools will phase more grades into hybrid learning after the long weekend. According to Superintendent John Doherty, first and second grade – except for Birch Meadow – and grades 6, 7 and 8 return to school Oct. 13. It will be a Cohort B in-person week.

First and second grade at Birch Meadow will start Oct. 19. Grades 3-5 and 9-12 are tentatively scheduled to start either Oct. 19 or Oct. 26, but the district is currently working on a plan for these students, Doherty said.

Two professional development days have been changed in January and March to allow for 61 in-person days for Cohort A and 63 for Cohort B.

Health Precautions

As students return to school, families are reminded of the following health and safety regulations:

• Staff must monitor themselves for symptoms daily and students, with the assistance of families, must also be monitored daily for symptoms. Staff and students must stay home if feeling unwell. Everyone must do their part to protect others and not come to school if they are exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms or are feeling sick.
• Masks are among the most important single measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. We require students second grade and above and all staff to wear masks that adequately cover both their nose and mouth. Whenever possible, students in pre-kindergarten through grade 1 who can safely and appropriately wear, remove, and handle masks should do so. Exceptions must be made for students with medical, behavioral, or other challenges who are unable to wear masks/face coverings.
• Hand hygiene is critical. Students and staff are required to exercise hand hygiene (handwashing or sanitizing) upon arrival to school, before eating, before putting on and taking off masks, and before dismissal. Handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the best practice. However, hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol should be substituted when handwashing is not available. Hand sanitizer stations should be set up where school staff are typically present, such as common areas, hallways, and classrooms. While the application of hand sanitizer may be necessary throughout the school day (especially if handwashing is less accessible) and does not require specialized instructions for use, districts and schools should avoid placing sanitizer stations in areas that are not typically supervised through the regular presence of staff.
• Physical distance greatly reduces the risk of transmission. Physical distancing is a critical tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19. The CDC and DPH recommend 6 feet of distance between individuals.
• Cohorts/assigned seating. Students organized in groups/classrooms and other cohorts help mitigate transmission of the virus. Assigned seating is important because it effectively creates even smaller groups within cohorts which minimize transmission. Assigned seats can also assist with contact tracing. Wherever possible, seats should be assigned (including classroom, bus, meals).
• Masks. Families are asked to pack additional masks each day for their children. Although we do a have a supply of masks available for students in case of emergency, we are discovering that some students are using multiple masks per day.