Health Update 1/13/22

As you know, we continue to see a high number of COVID-19 infections in our community and in our schools. Our staff continues to implement mitigation strategies to minimize the spread of COVID-19 within our schools and we are observing very few positive cases from classroom contacts and the test and stay programs. We’d like to share a few updates with you:

DESE Mask Requirement

DESE Commissioner Riley has extended the indoor mask requirement through February 28, 2022. Please refer to the Extension of DESE Mask Requirement press release for more information. None of our schools have met the 80% vaccination threshold, so the district will not be able to pursue this off-ramp option at this time.

Close Contact Notifications

With an increase in COVID-19 cases comes an increase in school close contacts and notifications to families. To simplify the process, and to not overwhelm families with excessive notifications, school nurses will only inform families of students who have been in close contact with a positive person at school and who are subject to quarantine. Those who are exempt from quarantine and testing will no longer be notified of any close contacts. Close contact at school is defined as at least 15 minutes within 3 feet, indoors, with masks on or within 6 feet, indoors, with no masks on (usually lunch). We continue to monitor any changes in guidance and protocols for contact tracing from DESE and MA DPH. When future changes to these protocols are announced, we will evaluate and adjust accordingly.

The COVID-19 Dashboard is updated daily with school-level and town-wide data. Please refer to the DESE/DPH Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios document for additional information.

We ask all families to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms daily. If symptoms develop, please stay home and have a COVID-19 test. Our Town of Hanover MIH program is currently adding more capacity for testing, so if you need a test and cannot find one, please contact your school nurse and we are able to assist. 

If you have been in close contact with someone outside of school and you are not exempt from quarantine, please stay home and contact your school nurse for guidance.  

The most recent protocols from DESE may be found on the Hanover Public Schools Health Services webpage.

Thank you for your continued support and patience as we continue to navigate these challenges, and we look forward to the day when these updates are a distant memory.

Sincerely,

Patricia Smith, BSN, RN, NCSN
Director of Health Services

Matt Ferron
Superintendent of Schools