SCHOOL NEWS

Cranston public schools return to in-person classes

Posted 1/5/22

By EMMA BARTLETT Cranston Public Schools are back in session after a weeklong holiday break. Students returned to in-person classes starting Jan. 3 with school officials continuing to monitor the Covid-19 situation as well as staff shortages due to

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SCHOOL NEWS

Cranston public schools return to in-person classes

Posted

Cranston Public Schools are back in session after a weeklong holiday break. Students returned to in-person classes starting Jan. 3 with school officials continuing to monitor the Covid-19 situation as well as staff shortages due to individuals finding themselves going into quarantine or returning from quarantine.

“We’re lucky in being a big district that helps each other,” said Jennifer Cowart, communications specialist for Cranston Public Schools. “Everyone’s always willing to jump in and cover – even if it’s for an hour.”

Cranston Public Schools did see a higher than average absenteeism (both students and faculty) on the 3rd – which the district had expected.

The public schools are taking this return to school one day at a time after the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) informed districts of the return plans for Jan 3. Cranston’s Public School Department posted an email from RIDE Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green on the schools’ websites and notified parents on Jan. 1 concerning the district’s plans.

Infante-Green’s email recognized that national public health experts recently issued updated guidance on isolation and quarantine procedures.

“Out of an abundance of caution and with the safety of our school communities in mind, Rhode Island will not be immediately adopting the new CDC guidance into our schools as we are expecting additional information from the federal government that could help shape final school policy changes,” wrote Infante-Green.

Students were informed to follow the same guidance from before holiday break, and were told that RIDE would review the new policies for implementation.

“During the upcoming week, the State of Rhode Island will work alongside our local education leaders, labor representatives, and other stakeholders to update new K-12 guidance that will meet the needs of our schools and families and reflect the new CDC guidance, including shorter quarantine periods for asymptomatic close contacts and shorter isolation periods for individuals with confirmed cases of COVID-19,” Infante-Green wrote.

The email came to a close with the following:

“Our goal is to avoid confusion while we ensure that any future protocols implemented in our schools maintain the health, safety, and smooth operations of our school communities in the weeks and months to come,” Infante-Green wrote.

In addition to updated guidance on isolation and quarantine protocols, Cranston Public Schools are seeking to support their schools’ families by hosting several vaccination and booster clinics this January. The Rhode Island Department of Health shared with Cranston Public Schools that cases in January are expected to increase. Spots are already filling up fast, and students wishing to sign up can schedule an appointment at cpsed.net.

Booster shot clinics:

Friday, Jan. 7, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Cranston West Cafeteria MODERNA (ages 18)

Saturday, Jan. 8, Cranston West Cafeteria 9 a.m. to noon PFIZER (ages 16) (most of our 16 students have received Pfizer vaccines and this will be the booster clinic for them)

Per RI General Law, students 16 do not need to be accompanied by an adult for these vaccinations.

Vaccination clinics for the 5-11 age group:

Wednesday, Jan. 5, at Glen Hills Elementary School Cafeteria 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. 50 Glen Hills Drive (Second shot date: Jan. 26, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.)

Saturday, Jan. 8, at Gladstone Elementary School Gymnasium 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 50 Gladstone Street (Second shot date: Jan. 29, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

All students for the 5-11 age group vaccinations must be accompanied by an adult.

schools, in-person classes

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