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October 28, 2020Holy Family Academy in Gardner has temporarily shifted to all-remote learning, the principal said Wednesday, after someone in the school community tested positive for COVID-19.
David Perda, superintendent of schools, said Wednesday afternoon that Holy Family is the third school connected with the diocesan Catholic Schools Office that is making some sort of shift to remote learning because of a positive virus test. He said he learned about Holy Family on Tuesday.
He said he learned on Wednesday that St. Leo Elementary School in Leominster has kindergarten going remote and last week that St. Bernard Elementary School in Fitchburg had a grade level or two making the shift.
“Those are the only ones that have had closures,” he said, adding, “I’m not speaking for any independent schools.”
St. Peter Central Catholic Elementary School in Worcester had a member of the community test positive, but did not shift to remote learning because that person had not been at school, he said.
Individual schools work closely with their local board of health in the decision-making process; it is not the superintendent’s decision, Mr. Perda said.
Holy Family Principal Joanne Mallozzi said the decision to move to remote learning was made in collaboration with the school nurse, school physician and the Gardner Board of Health.
In a Facebook letter to families she said, “It is with a heavy heart that I am informing you of the need to move from our current in-person learning model to a remote learning model.”
She said the transition to remote learning was to start Oct. 29. They expect to return to in-person learning on Nov. 9.
“Parents of students who were in close contact with the community member will be notified privately,” the principal wrote. “All close contacts should be tested but must self-quarantine for 14 days after the last exposure to the person who tested positive, regardless of the test result.” Test results are to be reported to school nurse Jennifer Lucas to help school leaders understand the virus’ impact on the school.
“We are also following all Department of Health protocols, including collaborating with our local board of health to complete contact tracing,” the principal wrote.
She said they planned for this scenario during the reopening process and have a “comprehensive plan in place to sanitize the school, inform families … and support the affected family.”
Students and staff have been following safety protocols, and families make efforts to keep children with symptoms home, which reduces the risk of additional transmission, she said.
“We strongly believe that there is no replacement for in-person learning and the connections between students and teachers and peers,” but safety is the top priority, she said in her letter.
Four students from two different grades at St. Bernard Elementary tested positive for the virus, said Deborah Wright, principal. The school found out last week, sent students home, closed the whole school Oct. 23 to do contact tracing and reopened Oct. 26, she said.
Virtual learning started Oct. 23 for one grade and Oct. 26 for the other, and is to continue until Nov. 5, she said.
School officials and the local board of health believe the students, from four different towns, were not infected at the school, she said. She expressed confidence that the school’s careful following of guidelines has prevented internal infection.
