MANCHESTER, NH – Manchester School District will begin to phase-in hybrid learning to more grade levels starting the week of Oct. 12, and continuing over a multiple-week process. The announcement comes as the school district has been notified of its first campus-based positive COVID-19 cases.
“In our restart plan, we identified today as the day that we would evaluate our ability to further expand hybrid learning,” said Dr. John Goldhardt, Superintendent of Schools for Manchester School District. “Using the metric we developed along with the Manchester Health Department, we have met the requirements to continue to slowly, deliberately and safely return students to school buildings.”
On Friday, the Manchester Health Department confirmed two positive COVID-19 cases among staff members who had been in school buildings. One is a staff member at Memorial High School and the other is a staff member who was at both Beech Street Elementary School and McDonough Elementary School. Following protocols developed with the Health Department, and guidance from the NH Department of Health and Human Services, the staff members must isolate at home. The Health Department is completing a public health case investigation and contact tracing process. Anyone identified as a close contact will be notified and instructed to quarantine for 14 days.
“We understood from the beginning it was likely we would eventually see positive COVID-19 tests in our schools once students and staff returned – this is why we worked with the Health Department to build robust protocols and put precautions in place,” Goldhardt said. “I will be clear: I would not further open schools if I did not feel it was safe to do so, however I also want to make sure families understand that if the situation worsens, we may need to pull back. As more students return, it is important that families know the symptoms of COVID-19 and perform daily screenings before sending students to school. As I’ve said, this is a fluid situation, and we must continue to be flexible and supportive of one another.”
When students will return
To start the year, only students in Kindergarten, Grade 1 and certain specialized programs had the option to start the year with some in-person learning. The high schools have requested additional time to prepare for students to return in person, however this request must be approved by the Board of School Committee. High school students’ return dates are listed as tentative pending this decision.
Beginning the week of Oct. 12, the following students will begin hybrid learning if the families choose it:
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All 2nd Grade students
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5th Graders at Parkside only
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6th Graders at Hillside, Southside and McLaughlin
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(tentatively) All 9th Grade students
More students would return to buildings in the weeks that follow:
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Week of Oct. 19: 3rd grade; 7th grade at Hillside, McLaughlin, Southside; 6th grade at Parkside only; (tentatively) 10th grade
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Week of Oct. 26: 4th grade; all other 5th grade; 8th grade at Hillside, McLaughlin, Southside; 7th and 8th grades at Parkside only; (tentatively) 11th/12th grades
Reminder of symptoms, need for daily screenings
Families are asked to learn the symptoms of COVID- 19 and perform daily screenings before sending students to school. Families should not send sick students to school – instead, they should contact the school. Information on COVID-19 symptoms and daily screening:
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Symptoms of COVID-19:
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Fever (measured as a temperature at or above 100.4F), or feeling feverish;
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Respiratory symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, or shortness of breath;
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General body symptoms such as muscle aches, chills, and severe fatigue;
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Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, and
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Changes in a person’s sense of taste or smell
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Daily screening:
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Any new or unexplained symptoms of COVID-19 (listed above); this includes even mild symptoms.
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Close contact with someone who has been confirmed to have COVID-19 in the prior 14 days.
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Travel outside of NH, VT, ME, MA, RI and CT in the past 14 days.
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