12/30/2020
Dear Haverhill Public Schools Friends and Families,
As you probably know, the rate of COVID-19 infection in our community and throughout our country continues to climb. Haverhill is currently at an 11.2% COVID-19 testing positivity rate. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) indicators and thresholds for risk of transmission of COVID-19 in schools, this places our community at the highest risk level for transmission. Even more concerningly, as we listen to the media and the experts, we hear that infection rates are likely to climb in the short term due to the holidays.
Knowing that Haverhill’s rate of illness was climbing, the School Committee called a meeting last night to discuss and review information related to our return to in-person learning.
At the meeting, a revision in the learning plan following the winter break was approved. The return to school plan is as follows:
• Monday, January 4, 2021 – Remote Learning All Cohorts
• Tuesday, January 19, 2021 – Cohort C PreK–12: In-person Learning (others continue remote)
• Monday, January 25, 2021 – Cohort A & B K–8: Hybrid Learning (HHS continues remote)
• Monday, February 1, 2021 – Haverhill High School Hybrid Learning
• Remote Learning Academy will continue as scheduled
Important information about COVID-19 infection rates in our schools and community was also presented at the meeting, as well as information about moving toward “pool testing” as one tool in returning to in-person learning. As we return from the holiday break, I will be sharing more information about “pool testing” so that families and staff can make informed decisions about participation in the effort. Like all COVID-19 testing, pool testing is voluntary and requires parental consent. To review information from last night’s meeting, please view COVID Update PowerPoint Presentation. In addition, recordings of all recent school committee meetings can be viewed on HC Media at https://haverhillcommunitytv.org/category/government/school-committee.
Thank you all for your continued support during this time, and I wish you all a healthy and peaceful new year.
Warmest Regards,
Margaret Marotta EdD
Superintendent of Schools