COVID Vacation Week Update

December 23, 2021

Good afternoon WPS families and caregivers,

As we approach the winter break with COVID cases on the rise, we highly encourage you and your family to practice social distancing, mask-wearing, and having anyone in your household tested if they become symptomatic during the break. We are learning that the new variant, Omicron, is highly transmissible, and as families often gather together during the holiday season, this may lead to higher numbers of infections.

Getting tested will be especially important as we return to school on January 3, 2022. If you have any doubts, questions, or concerns that your child may have COVID on the morning of January 3, please take advantage of our free BinaxNOW Rapid Antigen testing program at the “Lowell West” (old St. Jude’s School) at 175 Main Street. Symptomatic testing begins at 8:00 a.m. on school days and you may sign up for an appointment here. Please keep your child(ren) home on the Monday following break if they are symptomatic, even if their test comes back negative.

Our principals and nurses are on winter break next week and will not be available to answer your COVID questions, so please reach out to your physician or health care provider with any questions you may have, during the period of time when schools are closed.

We will be holding a vaccination clinic for all students ages 5-11 and Pfizer boosters for all students ages 16+ on January 11 from 3:30-7:00 at WMS. More information will be sent out to families upon our return in January.

We wish the best for a happy and healthy winter break and look forward to seeing you all in the new year.

Dr. Dede Galdston, Superintendent of Schools

Ms. Kathleen Desmarais, Director of Student Services