Good evening -
I write today with another update. At last night’s meeting, the School Committee voted the
following with regard to transitioning between in-person and remote learning:
Target metric: A case count of the last 14 days per the DPH metrics of 43 or fewer.
Transition time: Two consecutive weeks of 43 or fewer before we move to hybrid
in-person learning. Three consecutive weeks of 44 or above before we move to fully
remote learning.
Additional consideration: Continue to review the level of connectivity of positive cases
to the schools and adjust the learning model as necessary.
This decision was made with careful consideration and thought. We are very fortunate to
have a School Committee that is deeply vested in the safety and well-being of everyone in our
school community. As you know, the number of positive cases in Monson and much of
Massachusetts is at an all-time high. We must proceed cautiously and use the data to inform
our decisions.
Over the next several days, staff and administration at Granite Valley and Monson High will be
reaching out to every family to confirm their choice of learning model for their students. The
choices are as follows: 1) four-day in-person Monday through Thursday and Friday half-day
remote; or 2) fully remote learning. We wanted to be sure that families had all of the
updated information before confirming their decisions. Quarry Hill students have already
been assigned and will also be learning either fully remotely or in the four-day in-person
model. Once everything is completed, we will begin reassigning staff as necessary, preparing
our classrooms, and hiring any additional staff required to ensure that our maximum
classroom occupancies remain at 15. There is much work to be done!! Please remember that
all of the health and safety protocols are in place and will be reviewed with our students
upon their return. I have attached some of the highlights of these protocols as well as how
we ensure our buildings are disinfected and ready for staff and students.
The School Committee also confirmed that we will bring back our high needs students who are
in substantially separate programs on Tuesday, January 19, and that our basketball program
will begin on January 18.
This evening, the Department of Public Health released their weekly metrics, as they do
every Thursday. Please see these metrics below:
Case Count Last 14 Days
Our target: 43
Last week: 55
This week: 84
Additional metrics for your information:
Average daily incidence rate per 100,000
Last week: 46.8
This week: 71.5
Percent Positivity Last 14 Days
Last week: 10.00%
This week: 12.8%
Because we did not hit the target of a case count of 43 or fewer this week, and two weeks of
that number is required to transition to in-person learning, the earliest date for that return is
now February 1, assuming our case count is 43 or below the next two Thursdays. I will keep
you posted as always! We understand that some may be disappointed, but we are fully
committed to bringing everyone back as soon as possible. Please remember that when we do
return, all students preschool through grade 12 who chose the in-person option will attend
four full days per week!
In the meantime, if you have not already done so, proof of a flu shot is due by February 28.
Please email this documentation to the nurse in your child’s school building. If your child
does not receive a flu vaccine and you do not provide a religious or medical exemption, your
child will participate in school remotely until such time as the vaccine is administered.
haleym@monsonschools.com ECC at Quarry Hill
wisnaskasj@monsonschools.com Granite Valley School
ramslandk@monsonschools.com Monson High School
If you have any questions or concerns, please email Mrs. Fedora at
Thank you for your continued support and we will see you soon!
Sincerely,
Cheryl A. Clarke, Ed.D.
Superintendent