Seekonk High School to Conduct Remote Learning Ahead of Thanksgiving Break

Seekonk — Superintendent Rich Drolet reports that Seekonk High School will temporarily transition to fully remote learning beginning tomorrow and until Monday, Nov. 30.

The district learned today of three new reported positive cases of COVID-19 at Seekonk High School. These cases follow two positive cases of COVID-19 that were reported to the district on Friday, Nov. 13.

As a result, Seekonk High School will temporarily transition to fully remote learning beginning tomorrow, Nov. 17, through Tuesday, Nov. 24. Students at SHS will return to their hybrid learning schedules on Monday, Nov. 30. As a reminder, Wednesday, Nov. 25 is a professional development day for staff so students will have no school the day ahead of their Thanksgiving break.

"At this time, none of our positive cases are tied together and there is no evidence of any clusters or spread in our Seekonk schools," Superintendent Drolet said. "In this instance, our shift to remote learning is due to an abundance of Seekonk High School teachers and support staff being under quarantine in accordance with district protocols, some of which are due to cases outside of our schools."

To date, Seekonk Public Schools has had 16 total positive COVID-19 cases since the first positive case was reported on Oct. 25. To the district's knowledge and through contact tracing, all of the 16 positive cases were from transmissions outside of Seekonk Public Schools. Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 self-isolate in accordance with MA Department of Public Health (DPH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocols. Under state and federal privacy laws, no further information is available about these individuals.

Pre-K through grade 8 at the Martin Elementary School, Aitken Elementary School and Hurley Middle School will continue to operate in their normal in-person learning schedules as part of the district's current hybrid model.

The district has been working closely with the Seekonk Board of Health Agent to follow COVID-19 guidance and to support the identification of all close contacts of positive individuals. Those who have been identified as close contacts are being instructed to quarantine. If you have not received a call from the school department, this means you have not been identified as a close contact and you are not required to quarantine.

In accordance with the district’s reopening plan, all schools are thoroughly cleaned each day and high-touch areas are disinfected multiple times throughout the day. The district will continue to be vigilant in adhering to all of the protocols that have been put in place in an effort to continue hybrid learning.

To prevent further spread of the disease in the community, the Seekonk Public Schools asks that students, families and staff take the following precautions to prevent the spread of the disease:
• Stay home if you have a fever or are not feeling well.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid close contact with others. When outside your home, please adhere to social distancing guidelines and keep a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others.
• Wear a cloth face covering that covers your mouth and nose to protect others when in public areas.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

Additionally, if you or your child are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, such as a fever, chills, respiratory illness, aches or change in taste and smell, or believe you have been exposed to someone who has contracted COVID-19, get a COVID-19 test and stay home until you receive your results. Testing can be done either through your primary healthcare provider or at one of the testing sites located throughout the state.

To view the district's current COVID-19 statistics, visit the district's new COVID-19 daily dashboard here.