Barstow Memorial School

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! 👉Early Release Day this Friday, February 11th 👉February Break is the week of February 21st through 25th 👉Election Day March 1, 2022. Absentee ballots available at the town clerk offices. The 2022-2023 calendar has been posted on the RNESU web page at The first day of school is anticipated to be August 31, 2022. Find it here 👉https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VeImuY-JbamPlj47DzicUU5dCDvZdxM8/view

TEST AT SCHOOL DETAILS: Please note - when our schools do not have 2 pak or 5 pak antigen tests to send home, our nurses will test at school until our Test to Stay supplies are used up. Upon a close contact student's arrival at school, they should report to the health office at Otter Valley and to their classroom at the Elementary schools. 👉Students with symptoms need to stay home. 👉Asymptomatic presumptive contact students will be tested if consent is given and can remain in school with a negative test. Parents will be called to pick up their child if the child has a positive test or has symptoms .👉Parents need to alert the nurse that their child will be arriving for the antigen test. Parents MUST register their children to allow antigen testing at school at the two links provided previously if they haven't already done so. Consent is optional but must be on file if you want your child to be given an antigen test at school. VT AOE COVID Response Testing Consent Form: https://www.cognitoforms.com/VermontAgencyOfEducation/SY22COVID19TestingProgramConsentForm In addition to the consent form, please click on the link below and complete the form for your school(s). If you have more than one child, you will need to fill out the links for each. You do not need to provide the student id. 👉Barstow - https://www.simplereport.gov/register/WMN72 👉Lothrop - https://www.simplereport.gov/register/Z2M73 👉Neshobe - https://www.simplereport.gov/register/BJYUU 👉OCA - https://www.simplereport.gov/register/AMYCD 👉OV - https://www.simplereport.gov/register/KUZ8A

VEGGIE VAN GO TOMORROW FEBRUARY 7 at OVUHS PARKING LOT 10 AM - 11 AM: Veggie Van Go is a free fruit and vegetable distribution to all RNESU families and staff. They will be distributing tomorrow, Feb. 7, from 10 AM -11 AM at the OVUHS parking lot. This event is sponsored by the Vermont Foodbank and is open to all students, families, and staff affiliated with all Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union Schools: Barstow Memorial, Lothrop Elementary, Neshobe Elementary, Otter Creek Academy at Leicester, Sudbury and Whiting., & Otter Valley Middle and High School. There are no eligibility requirements and no reservations needed.

UPDATED COVID GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOLS: Here are the new AOE guidelines as of Jan. 2022: 👉Fully Vaccinated Students should receive 2 tests and use them on the 4th and 5th day after learning of the presumptive exposure. Fully vaccinated for students means completion of the two shot Pfizer series. 👉Not Fully Vaccinated Students should receive 5 tests and use them before coming to school for the next 5 consecutive days after their presumptive exposure. 👉Individuals that have continuous household exposure should test daily while their household contact is in isolation and for 5 consecutive days after the household contact ends isolation. 👉Positive COVID Test Students that have had COVID in the last 90 days do not have to test or quarantine. 👉Students with any symptoms must quarantine. Students may return to school when they have 2 negative antigen tests, at least 24 hours apart, improved symptoms and no fever for 24 hours.

VACCINE CLINICS SCHEDULED FOR STUDENTS AND ADULTS: Visit our FaceBook Events Page to see dates and sign up! 👉 https://www.facebook.com/rutlandnortheastSU

Feb. 4 2022 Dear Parents/Guardians We are slowly moving forward as Omicron seems to be moving through. Cases continue to be down, though we see bumps now and then. The state perspective and guidance is not to assume the virus is widespread and rather than identify close contacts, move to presumptive contacts of everyone in a classroom space and notify the parents of that classroom or workspace, and then to send tests home. Last week, I detailed what that looks like. Please reach out, especially to your school nurse, if you have any questions. This email covers (updated information on topics from last week) Veggie Van Go Feb. 7 Superintendent Search Update Vaccination Clinics School Budget Informational Meeting and Voting Information 2022-2023 School Calendar Posted Calendar Notes School Board Meetings VEGGIE VAN GO FEB DATE WILL BE FEB. 7 Veggie Van Go is a free fruit and vegetable distribution to all RNESU families and staff. February’s date will change to Feb. 7, from 10-11 am at the OVUHS parking lot. This event is sponsored by the Vermont Foodbank and is open to all students, families, and staff affiliated with all Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union Schools: Barstow Memorial, Lothrop Elementary, Neshobe Elementary, Otter Creek Academy at Leicester, Sudbury and Whiting., & Otter Valley Middle and High School. There are no eligibility requirements and no reservations needed. SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH UPDATE As I write this, the RNESU school board and search committee had narrowed the candidate pool to three final candidates. As one withdrew, having accepted a position elsewhere, the other two spent Thursday Feb. 3 meeting virtually with schools, the search committee and the community. Hopefully, information on a new superintendent will be released early next week or, if not, what steps will be taken next. Stay tuned! RNESU has a web page to keep the community informed about the search process. You can follow it here. https://www.rnesu.org/page/superintendent-search VACCINE CLINICS SCHEDULED FOR STUDENTS AND ADULTS Lothrop School will have a Vaccination Clinic Feb 16 from 1-4:15 pm in the gymnasium. Schedule an appointment at https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/vaccine Or call 855-722-7878 Walkins are welcome. Children under 18 need a completed consent form from a parent/guardian and will not receive a vaccine or booster without that consent. Please note children 12-18 are now eligible for a booster vaccine. SCHOOL BUDGET INFORMATIONAL MEETING AND VOTING INFORMATION Barstow and OV School boards have all finalized budgets for voter approval for the coming school year. Read about the budget proposals at the links below and watch for our annual reports to land in your mailboxes and to be posted on our web pages. To learn more and to ask questions, both boards will hold annual district meetings in February. Barstow’s will be Feb. 22 virtually at 6:30 pm Presentation: BUUSD FY23 Budget Otter Valley’s will be Feb. 23 in person at OVUHS at 6:30 pm. FY23 OVUU Budget Presentation Voting for all RNESU towns will be in person for school budgets on March 1 at town voting sites. Other voting options include requesting a mail in ballot from your town clerk or going into your town hall for early voting. 2022-2023 SCHOOL CALENDAR POSTED ON THE WEB The RNESU District Calendar 2022-2023 has been posted on the RNESU web page at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VeImuY-JbamPlj47DzicUU5dCDvZdxM8/view. The first day of school is anticipated to be August 31, 2022. Important Reminders: CALENDAR NOTES February Early Release Day Feb. 11 February break is the week of Feb. 21-25 Election Day March 1, 2022. Absentee ballots available at the town clerk offices. SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS School Board meetings are open to the public. Meeting information can be found on the district calendar or on the district website, www.rnesu.org, Upcoming meetings: Barstow District Budget Informational Meeting Feb. 22, 6:30 pm virtual meeting RNESU meets Feb 23, 5:00 pm at OVUHS Otter Valley Annual District Meeting Feb. 23, 6:30 pm in person at OVUHS Jeanné Collins, Superintendent of RNESU www.rnesu.org School Safety Hotline # (844) 723-3488 or www.SAFE4VT.org or text to 274637, type in keyword SAFE4VT and then your tip

All Rutland Northeast Schools will be closed tomorrow, Feb. 4, 2022! Enjoy a snow day!

SCHOOL BUDGET INFORMATION AND ANNUAL REPORTS: Barstow and OV School boards have all finalized budgets for voter approval for the coming school year. Read about the budget proposals at the links below and watch for our annual reports to land in your mailboxes and to be posted on our web pages. To learn more and to ask questions, both boards will hold annual meetings in February. Barstow’s will be Feb. 22 virtually at 6:30 pm and Otter Valley’s will be Feb. 23 in person at OVUHS at 6:30 pm. 👉 FY23 OVUU Budget Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1OcsK4LoHVKvR4zp90U1K0s8Z9GxGgQ2x53KEumumJ34/edit#slide=id.p 👉 Presentation: BUUSD FY23 Budget: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S36Us_yHyBNVelb400MS0RMAcVdXmvfZ/view

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH NARROWS TO TWO CANDIDATES! The Superintendent Search Committee has narrowed down the candidate field to two candidates! They will be visiting ALL schools virtually TODAY February 3, 2022. Watch for information on candidate forums! RNESU has a web page to keep the community informed about the search process. You can follow progress here 👉https://www.rnesu.org/page/superintendent-search

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH NARROWS TO THREE CANDIDATES! The Superintendent Search Committee has narrowed down the candidate field to three candidates! They will be visiting ALL schools TODAY February 3, 2022. Watch for information on candidate forums! RNESU has a web page to keep the community informed about the search process. You can follow progress here: https://www.rnesu.org/page/superintendent-search

With reports of an upcoming snow event, I wanted to reach out to remind everyone of our snow day communications protocol. The decision is made by me upon information from the transportation coordinator and he gathers information from road crews as well. The decision is usually made between 5:30 and 6 am, before buses roll out. Even if it is made earlier, it is communicated about 6 am by robocall. As soon as the decision to close is made, no matter the hour, I will send an email to all families; I will follow up with a robocall about 6 am to the number you have last provided for our file; I will post school closings on the broadcast networks- you can double check there or the TV school closing pages. I am less concerned about tomorrow, as the storm is not expected to hit strongly until sometime during the day. I anticipate we will be open tomorrow as of this moment, though after school activities may be affected. I am more concerned about Friday and the storm's impact on our ability to safely transport students to school. And....this buzz can all be for naught- that has happened before. I hope this reminder helps you know what to expect for communication. Stay safe and warm! Jeanne Collins, Superintendent

Staying home when sick does more than prevent the spread of COVID-19. With the increase in antigen tests being taken in the home, we appreciate the fact that people with symptoms are tested before coming to school. However, just because a person has a negative antigen test does not mean they should come to school with symptoms. When a person shows new symptoms of any kind they should stay home, regardless of whether their COVID-19 antigen test is positive or negative, simply because new symptoms are contagious. It is necessary to stay home with any symptoms to reduce the risk of spreading any illness at school. There are numerous illnesses circulating, not just COVID-19. Staying home prevents the spread of all diseases and helps protect those individuals in our communities who are immuno-compromised and/or suffer from chronic health conditions. Please protect our whole learning community by staying home when you have any new symptom.

Jan 28, 2022 Dear Parents/Guardians While we continue to have cases of COVID in our schools daily, the numbers are starting to decrease a bit. It is hopeful that trend will continue. We are slowly getting supplies from the state for Test at Home and will distribute them according to guidance as needed. We also will use any other testing tools we have available to us to test at school when we need to. We are hoping to move away from closing classes as we work together to respond quickly to the many cases that continue to arise. I have been asked by a parent when we will revisit the mask mandate as well. That will be revisited by the state (agency of education and department of health together) on Feb. 28 and we will wait for their recommendation. For now, masking is still a mandate indoors at all schools. Please help us reinforce this mandate to help us get through the latest variant surge. This email covers (updated information on topics from last week) MAEC Climate Survey for RNESU Parents due Jan 31 School Budget Information and Annual Reports Superintendent Search Update Vaccination Clinics Updated School COVID Guidance Veggie Van Go Feb. 7 Calendar Notes including 2022-2023 Calendar School Board Meetings FINAL CHANCE TO BE HEARD! MAEC CLIMATE SURVEY FOR RNESU PARENTS (Closes Jan. 31) All RNESU Parents are invited and encouraged to complete the following anonymous Climate Survey for RNESU parents: https://maec.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ePvo4mWGmlCOlxk This Climate Survey is part of a study being conducted by the Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC) to understand how RNESU can advance equity across our district, including feelings and experiences of safety, belonging, and equitable access to high-quality instruction and support services. As you are the backbone of our schools, your feedback will be so critical in informing this study. If you have questions about the survey or the MAEC study, don't hesitate to contact Susannah White, Equity & Engagement Coach, swhite@rnesu.org . Thank you for your time and care in completing this important survey. SCHOOL BUDGET INFORMATION AND ANNUAL REPORTS Barstow and OV School boards have all finalized budgets for voter approval for the coming school year. Read about the budget proposals at the links below and watch for our annual reports to land in your mailboxes and to be posted on our web pages. To learn more and to ask questions, both boards will hold annual meetings in February. Barstow’s will be Feb. 22 virtually at 6:30 pm and Otter Valley’s will be Feb. 23 in person at OVUHS at 6:30 pm. FY23 OVUU Budget Presentation Presentation: BUUSD FY23 Budget SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH UPDATE The Superintendent Search Committee has narrowed down the candidate field to three candidates and will be hosting all three in site visits to all schools on Feb. 3, 2021. Watch for information on candidate forums. RNESU has a web page to keep the community informed about the search process. You can follow it here. https://www.rnesu.org/page/superintendent-search VACCINE CLINICS SCHEDULED FOR STUDENTS AND ADULTS Leicester School will have a Vaccination Clinic available for all families on Feb. 8 and March 3. Registration is required through the state site. This is the link to the registration portal. Please register only for the 2/8 clinic. We will schedule your child for dose 2 on the day of the 2/8 clinic as part of the exit process. Login (force.com) Lothrop School will have a Vaccination Clinic Feb 16 from 1-4:15 pm in the gymnasium. Schedule an appointment at https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/vaccine Or call 855-722-7878 Walkins are welcome. Children under 18 need a completed consent form from a parent/guardian and will not receive a vaccine or booster without that consent. Please note children 12-18 are now eligible for a booster vaccine. UPDATED COVID GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOLS Here are the new AOE guidelines as of Jan. 2022: Fully Vaccinated Students should receive 2 tests and use them on the 4th and 5th day after learning of the presumptive exposure. Fully vaccinated for students means completion of the two shot Pfizer series. Not Fully Vaccinated Students should receive 5 tests and use them before coming to school for the next 5 consecutive days after their presumptive exposure. Individuals that have continuous household exposure should test daily while their household contact is in isolation and for 5 consecutive days after the household contact ends isolation. Positive COVID Test Students that have had COVID in the last 90 days do not have to test or quarantine. Students with any symptoms must quarantine. Students may return to school when they have 2 negative antigen tests, at least 24 hours apart, improved symptoms and no fever for 24 hours. Please note : When our schools do not have 2 pak or 5 pak antigen tests to send home, our nurses will test at school until our Test to Stay supplies are used up. Upon a close contact student's arrival at school, they should report to the health office at Otter Valley and to their classroom at the Elementary schools. Students with symptoms need to stay home. Asymptomatic presumptive contact students will be tested if consent is given and can remain in school with a negative test. Parents will be called to pick up their child if the child has a positive test or has symptoms. Parents need to alert the nurse that their child will be arriving for the antigen test. Parents MUST register their children to allow antigen testing at school at the two links provided previously if they haven't already done so. Consent is optional but must be on file if you want your child to be given an antigen test at school. VT AOE COVID Response Testing Consent Form Second, please click on the link below and fill out that form as well. If you have more than one child, you will need to fill out the links for each. You do not need to provide the student id. Barstow - https://www.simplereport.gov/register/WMN72 Lothrop - https://www.simplereport.gov/register/Z2M73 Neshobe - https://www.simplereport.gov/register/BJYUU OCA - https://www.simplereport.gov/register/AMYCD OV - https://www.simplereport.gov/register/KUZ8A VEGGIE VAN GO FEB DATE WILL BE FEB. 7 Veggie Van Go is a free fruit and vegetable distribution to all RNESU families and staff. February’s date will change to Feb. 7, from 10-11 am at the OVUHS parking lot. This event is sponsored by the Vermont Foodbank and is open to all students, families, and staff affiliated with all Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union Schools: Barstow Memorial, Lothrop Elementary, Neshobe Elementary, Otter Creek Academy at Leicester, Sudbury and Whiting., & Otter Valley Middle and High School. There are no eligibility requirements and no reservations needed. Important Reminders: CALENDAR NOTES February Early Release Day Feb. 11 February break is the week of Feb. 21-25 Election Day March 1, 2022. Absentee ballots available at the town clerk offices. The 2022-2023 calendar has been posted on the RNESU web page at The first day of school is anticipated to be August 31, 2022. 2022-2023 District Calendar SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS School Board meetings are open to the public. Meeting information can be found on the district calendar or on the district website, www.rnesu.org, Upcoming meetings: BUU Board meets Jan 31, 6pm, virtual only. OVUU meets Feb 2, 6pm. At OVUHS RNESU meets Feb 23, 5 pm at OVUHS Barstow Budget Informational Meeting Feb. 22, 6:30 pm virtual meeting Otter Valley Annual Meeting Feb. 23, 6:30 pm in person at OVUHS We are still in a deep freeze- winter is here! Please send students with appropriate winter clothing or speak to your school nurse or principal if you need mittens, coats, boots, etc. Jeanné Collins, Superintendent of RNESU www.rnesu.org School Safety Hotline # (844) 723-3488 or www.SAFE4VT.org or text to 274637, type in keyword SAFE4VT and then your tip

SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET UPDATE & UPCOMING MEETINGS: School Board meetings are open to the public as in-person meetings with a zoom option for those who wish to attend virtually. Meeting information can be found on the district calendar or on the district website, www.rnesu.org. All boards have now approved budgets for 2022-2023 for voter approval on March 1, 2022. Stay tuned for more information or go to the board page to see the presentations. Upcoming meetings: ➤ BUU Board meets Monday, January 31st, 6 PM ➤ OVUU meets Wednesday, February 2nd, 6PM (the Jan 19th meeting was cancelled)

MAEC CLIMATE SURVEY FOR RNESU PARENTS (Closes Jan. 31): ➤ All RNESU Parents are invited and encouraged to complete the following anonymous Climate Survey for RNESU parents: https://maec.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ePvo4mWGmlCOlxk This Climate Survey is part of a study being conducted by the Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC) to understand how RNESU can advance equity across our district, including feelings and experiences of safety, belonging, and equitable access to high-quality instruction and support services. As you are the backbone of our schools, your feedback will be so critical in informing this study. If you have questions about the survey or the MAEC study, don't hesitate to contact Susannah White, Equity & Engagement Coach, swhite@rnesu.org . Thank you for your time and care in completing this important survey.

CHANGING COVID GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOLS : We have received the official written guidance from the Agency of Ed. Here is an overview of what to expect: ➤ Schools will shift away from contact tracing and weekly PCR surveillance tests. Entire classrooms will not need to be sent home for being close contacts ➤ Parents will be notified if their child is a presumptive contact based on the classes they are in. ➤ Schools will send home rapid antigen test kits to unvaccinated and symptomatic students and to presumptive contacts to test at home for five days before coming to school. *This is dependent on the supplies we get from the state. ➤ Vaccinated students who are presumptive contacts will be able to attend school without testing if asymptomatic. Students are considered fully vaccinated if they have completed their two dose series of a vaccine ➤ School nurses will be able to test staff or students in the school who develop symptoms using rapid antigen or LAMP tests So what does this mean? ➤ We will not be doing Test to Stay in classrooms of students nor sending home entire classrooms as soon as we are able to transition to sending tests home ➤ Instead we will give test kits for at home testing to those identified as presumptive contacts who are unvaccinated or symptomatic. ➤ Weekly surveillance testing will come to an end (date uncertain). For updated information on close contacts and what to do if you are positive: ➤ VDH close contact page Jan 2022 (https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/symptoms-sickness/what-do-if-you-are-close-contact) ➤ VDH Positive COVID page (https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/symptoms-sickness/what-do-if-you-test-positive-covid-19)

REMINDER: EARLY RELEASE DAY TOMORROW, FRIDAY - JANUARY 21, 2022!

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH UPDATE: RNESU has begun the search for a new superintendent as I plan to retire this June. A community forum was held on Jan 6 to help inform the board of what the community would like to see in the next superintendent. RNESU has a web page to keep the community informed about the search process. You can follow it here. https://www.rnesu.org/page/superintendent-search

NO VEGGIE VAN GO MONDAY JAN 17 - DATE CHANGED TO JAN 24: Veggie Van Go is a free fruit and vegetable distribution to all RNESU families and staff. Normally occurring on the 3rd Monday of each month ➤January’s date will change to Jan 24, from 10-11 am at the OVUHS parking lot. This event is sponsored by the Vermont Foodbank and is open to all students, families, and staff affiliated with all Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union Schools: Barstow Memorial, Lothrop Elementary, Neshobe Elementary, Otter Creek Academy at Leicester, Sudbury and Whiting., & Otter Valley Middle and High School. There are no eligibility requirements and no reservations needed.

NOW OPEN | MAEC CLIMATE SURVEY FOR RNESU PARENTS (CLOSES JANUARY 31st): All RNESU Parents are invited and encouraged to complete the following anonymous Climate Survey for RNESU parents: https://maec.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ePvo4mWGmlCOlxk ➤ This Climate Survey is part of a study being conducted by the Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC) to understand how RNESU can advance equity across our district, including feelings and experiences of safety, belonging, and equitable access to high-quality instruction and support services. As you are the backbone of our schools, your feedback will be so critical in informing this study. ➤ If you have questions about the survey or the MAEC study, don't hesitate to contact Susannah White, Equity & Engagement Coach, swhite@rnesu.org . Thank you for your time and care in completing this important survey.