
O'Maley Family Focus
December 17, 2021

Dear O’Maley Families,
I hope you are all well. I am happy to report that today was a very smooth day at O'Maley despite the Tik-Tok posting that I wrote to you about earlier today. As we were assured by the Gloucester police, there was no credible threat. Staff kept a good eye on students, and learning continued in a positive manner. Attendance was down by about 6% as compared to last week, and we had a few more dismissals than usual. For a Friday just before the holidays, students were surprisingly attentive and on task, exploring articles of the constitution, analyzing weather simulations, comparing the economy of ancient China to that of Gloucester, building nesting boxes, and much more.
Regarding the Tik-Tok post, I addressed students this morning during our morning announcements over Google Meet. My goal was to reassure them that school is a safe place to be, and that the impact of social media can cause all types of unwarranted disruption and anxiety when misused. I emphasized that the police and other trained authorities had determined that we were safe to be here, and that if that wasn't the case, school would not be in session. I let them know that counselors and other staff were available if they needed someone to talk to. Please reinforce this message at home. Sharing posts that may be scary or hurtful is just as damaging as creating the original post; kids don't always recognize that, and many end un negatively impacted. I also want to remind everyone as I often do, that social media platforms like Tik-Tok, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook require individuals to be 13 or older in order to have an account legally. At least some of our challenges with social media would be assisted by kids not having accounts until they are older.
Please read on and contact me at any time with questions or concerns.
Best,
Principal Lynne Beattie
Topics in this issue of Family Focus:
- Upcoming Events
- Our newest mural: Creativity is the road to success.
- COVID Vaccination Clinic TOMORROW!
- Cherry Street Journal Fall Edition
- O'Maley Academy Winter Program Sign-Up Information Deadline December 20th!
- COVID-19 Updates & Weekly Testing Sign-Up
- Schoolbrains Community Portal
Upcoming Events
- December 23 - Early Release at 11:00 a.m.
Grab and go lunch is available to any student at no cost. Teachers will take a lunch count in homeroom on Thursday.
- December 24 - January 2 - No School - December Break
- January 3, 2022 - School reopens - Happy New Year!
- January 3, 2022 - O'Maley Academy Winter Program Begins
O'Maley's newest mural: "Creativity is the Road to Success"

CIVID Pediatric Vaccination Clinic TOMORROW!
The Gloucester Health Department is holding a free pediatric COVID vaccination clinic tomorrow, Saturday December 18 at Gloucester High School for all children ages 5 to 11.
With the dramatic rise of cases locally, it is more important than ever for your family members to get a COVID vaccination. Getting vaccinated is the best way to lower the risk of severe illness from COVID.
Gloucester Department of Health - Pediatric COVID Vaccination Clinic
Saturday, December 18
Gloucester High School
9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Walk in or pre-register here:
https://calendly.com/pelmedscovid/gloucester-clinic?month=2021-12
The Cherry Street Journal Fall 2021 Edition
O'Maley Academy Winter Program Information
O'Maley Academy Winter Program begins right after December break, on January 3rd. Please link below for program descriptions and to sign up. Sign-Ups close December 20th and rosters will be sent out on December 23rd.
For those students participating in the musical:
- Drama club kids DO NOT need to re-sign up
- Set & prop kids DO need to sign up again
COVID-19 Updates & Weekly Testing Sign-Up
COVID-19 at O'Maley: As of today, December 17th, we had seven new cases reported this week, and currently have seven active cases. Two of the new cases were identified through our weekly group testing. Since All close contacts have been contacted. Since August 31, 2021 we have had 38 cases among our staff and student community. See the new GPS COVID Dashboard for updated data each week: https://backtogether.gloucesterschools.com/updates/dashboard-covid-cases
We are continuing to be vigilant here at school, despite that we are all fatigued with the pandemic and its restrictions. At home, please be mindful of the following helpful guidance to prevent the increasing spread:
- Be mindful of large gatherings with people you are not usually around.
- Wear masks at all indoor gatherings.
- Keep students at home if they are ill. Please follow the expectations outlined on the O'Maley handbook and contact the nurses' office if your child is sick. They can advise on symptoms and discuss testing if needed. '
- Get vaccinated for both COVID and the flu.
Please remember to conduct a daily symptom check with your children. Link here for the daily symptom check information. Please be sure to call the nurses' office at 978-281-9847 if your child is experiencing any of the symptoms as described. Our nurses, Kim Cameron and Alycia Gossom can answer questions and will guide you as to what you need to do related to testing and/or documentation from your child's doctor. Students must not come to school with symptoms.
As we head toward the holiday season, please be aware of the COVID-19 Travel Guidelines. Link here for information on what is needed to return to school following travel.
To Sign Up for Weekly Testing: Link here: https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma?district=Gloucester.I encourage families to sign their children up to be tested. Individuals signed up to participate last year DO need to re-register. Parents/Guardians MUST complete the form to give permission in order for a student to be tested.
Masks & Distancing: Per the Massachusetts DESE and the Gloucester School Committee, all students and staff will be masked in GPS buildings except at lunch or mask break when they are socially distanced at 3 feet or more. Per DESE, masks are required in public schools until at least January 15, 2022. Masks are not required outdoors. For details on our health and safety protocols district wide, please visit the GPS COVID Guidance and Updates website at https://backtogether.gloucesterschools.com/.
Students must bring their own masks to school each day. While we all wish we did not have to wear them, masks continue to be required indoors at school. Thank you!
Archives
Contact Information
Email: lbeattie@gloucesterschools.com
Website: http://omaley.gloucesterschools.com/
Location: 32 Cherry Street, Gloucester, MA, USA
Phone: 978-281-9850
Twitter: @omaleyprincipal