Safety Protocols in Place for Dighton-Rehoboth

Dighton-Rehoboth schools will be going to a hybrid model on Tuesday after three weeks of distance learning. School Superintendent Anthony Azar wants parents and faculty to know all safety measures are in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19. In a letter sent to parents on Monday, Azar noted that October 13th is the date for grades K-1, grades 5-6 and grades 9 and 12 in cohort A reporting for in person learning. On October 19th, cohort A of grades 2-3-4, grades 7-8 and grades 10-11 will follow.

Azar said the district is following all protocols from the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the CDC, and the local boards of health. There is hand sanitizer in all of the school buildings including the classrooms. Teachers and staff will be given additional PPE (personal protective equipment) as needed.

“Due to Covid-19 and through the protocols for staff to be safe, we follow all federal and state rules governing our staff,” Azar said Wednesday. “We have afforded all eligible staff to review their options under the law and specific to their associations’ collective bargaining agreement and their specific issues. We have dedicated subs in each building to cover. However, it’s no secret the sub pool is shallow.” Azar said the district would continue to advertise to increase the sub pool of candidates through the spring.

The school department has explained the protocols with faculty and staff, Azar noted: “Communications have flowed to our staff as early as the first week of August when we rolled out our models of hybrid and remote. We had 10 days of professional development at the beginning of the school year. This week we have two more days of PD and then one more next week.” “We are not hiding,” Azar added. “Administration has been and will continue to be accessible to all and will continue to walk their buildings on a consistent basis.”