From: Glenburn School Department

To: Glenburn School Community Members

Date: December 17, 2020

RE: Grades 2 and 6 Return for In Person Learning

I hope everyone is finding ways to enjoy or at least deal with the cold and snow.  This week started with concerns related to providing in-person instruction at Glenburn.  These concerns were due to individuals in our school community being exposed to a COVID-19 positive person, which forced us to consider quarantining a number of our students and staff. Through this process we’ve learned that our pod system, transmission mitigation strategies, and student and staff vigilance really pays off.  Because of these efforts we were able to limit the number of families required to transition to remote learning to our second and sixth grade students and staff.  We have remained in close contact with the Maine DOE and CDC throughout the week and we’re happy to report that the overwhelming majority of second and sixth graders may return to in person instruction tomorrow (Dec. 18).  Lorrie Springer, our school nurse, has been in contact with any family that may still have quarantine requirements that extend beyond this evening.  Please remain vigilant with symptom screening before school and as long as your child is symptom free they are welcome to participate with in-person learning.  We’re excited to have our students in school and appreciate seeing them in person and/or remotely.  We continue to believe that school is safe and the most academically appropriate place for our students. 

We also want to express our concern and wishes for a speedy recovery for anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19.  Take care, stay healthy, and enjoy the upcoming weekend.

To: Glenburn School Commmunity
From: Richard Modery, Superintendent
RE: Grade 2 and 6 transition to Remote Learning
Date: December 14, 2020

Out of abundance of caution, due to a COVID-19 exposure, our grade 2 and 6 students will transition to remote learning starting Monday, December 14th and extend through December 17th. Students may return to in person learning on Friday, December 18th. If your student needs to quarantine, you will hear from the school nurse via phone by the end of the day on Sunday. Those that need to quarantine will also receive letters outlining the specifics from the phone conversation. Thank you for your continued support during these unprecedented times. We continue to work hard to make sure your students, staff and community members are safe. As always, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call the school or Superintendent’s Office. Stay safe and have a good evening.

The Glenburn School Department’s Administrative Team and Lorrie Springer, School Nurse are remaining in constant contact regarding the rising COVID-19 cases in Penobscot County. As of this writing, we remain steadfast in our belief that school is the safest and most educationally effective environment for our students. We will remain vigilant with all mitigation strategies outlined in our reopening plan as the safety of our students, staff, and community members remains paramount. With rising cases in Penobscot County, it’s possible that the county’s risk level is transitioned to the “Yellow” designation Friday, December 11, 2020. Using data from the CDC, Steering Committee Feedback, compliance with all “Yellow” safety guidelines, and as long as we remain free from local community spread, the Glenburn School will continue to provide in-person instruction five days per week to students who choose that model of instruction. If local and/or in-school community outbreaks become present we are poised to transition to remote learning if needed. We recognize the disruptive nature of closing school for in-person learning and will make every attempt to provide in-person instruction as long as we can.

While we understand and support individual family decisions to choose remote learning during these difficult times, we’re confident that the Glenburn School is a safe place for students and staff. If you plan to adjust the level of instruction for your student please communicate your plans with the teacher and school office. It’s important to make these transitions as infrequently as possible as they can be disruptive and challenging for the students and staff. Last-minute transitions from one instructional level to another regularly will likely lead to frustration for everyone involved. Thank you for trusting us with your children and as always, feel free to reach out to the school or central office with any questions you may have.

Dear Parents and Guardians
Once again we’ve asked you to be patient, flexible, and understanding as we adjust to our local conditions related to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Thank you for your displays of support and expressions of appreciation this fall. I want to commend the students and staff for their daily efforts to follow mitigation strategies that have allowed us to provide in person instruction for eleven weeks. Our students have sacrificed co and/or extra curricular activities, celebratory gatherings, time with their friends, and much more. Through all the challenges and loss they continue to display resilience and caring through effective mask wearing, physical distancing, practicing hand hygiene, and staying home if they are sick. We believe these mitigation strategies are effective tools and will continue to protect our community while we’re at school.

Unfortunately, our current situation leaves too many questions unanswered to definitively endorse a return to school prior to the Thanksgiving break. For this reason we will continue to provide remote instruction Thursday and Friday of this week. We will continually monitor our local conditions over the Thanksgiving break and will take necessary steps to ensure a safe return to school. As of this writing, we plan to return for in person instruction on Monday, November 30, 2020. Our food service program will continue to provide breakfast and lunch meals on remote learning days. Meals can be requested by emailing Dee Thayer thayerd@glenburnschool.us and picked up Thursday and/or Friday between 11 and 12 outside the cafeteria.

Please note that we will still hold the virtual parent/teacher conferences happening on Thursday, November 19 from 3pm-7pm.

Again, I can’t provide enough positive accolades to our students and staff for their steadfast resolve this fall. By continuing to practice the mitigation strategies outlined earlier I’m confident that the Glenburn School is the safest and most educationally effective environment for students.

Please have a restful and safe Thanksgiving with your children.

—
Richard Modery
Superintendent
Glenburn School Department
207-942-4405

The Administrative team will be hosting a community forum Wednesday, November 18th at 6:00pm.  During this virtual session we will outline the decision making process related to our transition to remote learning, share future plans, and host a Q&A session.  You will get information regarding our plans for Thursday and Friday of this week prior to the community forum as we want to provide information for planning purposes in as timely a manner as possible.  We will continue to collect information through this evening and tomorrow morning in an effort to ensure student, staff, and community safety before finalizing plans.