August 2020
Dear Students and Families,
Entering my fifth year at CCHS, I write to offer a warm welcome to you and your family. It is my sincere hope you have braved this difficult time and made the best of a most challenging situation.
Until March, last year was similar to previous ones. Academic achievements and remarkable performances in all venues. By most accounts, it was a typical year, and with the benefit of hindsight, I feel guilty for all I took for granted.
A global pandemic stopped us in our tracks. National and international events required us to think deeply about our values as a school, and deep self-reflection on how we all can positively contribute to making a difference in our community.
Many of our BIPOC students courageously spoke out about their mixed experiences in our community. We view this as an opportunity to elevate the voices of our students and community members. We need to lean into the work and not shy away from difficult but necessary conversations about the negative impact of systemic racism in our society. To redress inequities all schools and entities must look within, self-reflect, and seek institutional change where it is needed.
Through forums, webinars, and surveys, we heard the feedback, and some ideas raised relate to work already underway by our Cultural Competency and Anti-Racism Task Force. This work continues and we welcome the challenge.
This summer I witnessed the extraordinary work of administrators, staff, and faculty members. Earnest engagement in issues of race and equality, earnest efforts seeking professional growth to improve a hybrid teaching model, earnest efforts, and rigorous planning to open the school for in-person learning. I am impressed by the collective efforts of our community. We are eager and will be ready to welcome everyone back in just a few weeks.
It is quite likely this correspondence will lead to more questions. Please be patient and anticipate timely communication as we march towards the first day of school. Be well!
Sincerely,
Micheal J. Mastrullo
2020-2021 Students Schedules
Students can log-in to Aspen to view their schedule.
- If the room number says "virtual" your teacher is working remotely. All students will access those classes via Zoom. More details regarding virtual classes will arrive over the next few weeks.
- Please note, all other room numbers are likely to change. Traditional class sizes were capped at 15 students, so larger classes were moved to large classrooms to accommodate numbers greater than 15 students.
- Due to class size constraints, please note that scheduling changes will occur on a limited basis. Guidance counselors worked to make all necessary changes at the end of last year, so the typical add/drop period will be restricted during the 2020-2021 school year. Some changes are inevitable, but due to class size constraints, there will be fewer than in previous years. Please connect with your guidance counselor to discuss modifying your schedule.
COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS
A critical component of our ability to open successfully and manage a hybrid school schedule is a commitment to a shared responsibility for safety, and strict adherence to expectations and safety protocols that members of our community will practice daily. Tremendous effort and planning put forth to secure in-person learning, and successfully executing a safe return requires cooperation and shared commitment to the community.
Because COVID-19 infects individuals by spreading across and within close community networks, all members of the CCHS community must enter into a shared obligation and commitment to act prudently, safely, and follow CCHS and public health directives. Utilizing guidance from DESE, DPH, CDC, and the Concord Department of Health, we adopted standards and protocols to promote our community’s collective well-being.
It is not one mitigation strategy, but combining all these strategies will substantially reduce the risk of transmission. In other words, establishing a culture of health and safety in our schools that focuses on regularly enforcing these essential practices is more important than any one measure.
Contract
To attend CCHS, all community members must sign a contract and pledge to adhere to the accompanying standards and protocols. Students and staff’s ability to access our campus for in-person learning and events is conditional on adherence to the rules and protocols put in place. Any student who cannot meet these expectations will be required to carry out all or part of the semester remotely. Further, all members of the CCHS community must recognize that these standards and protocols may change at the direction of the School or state, local, or federal health organizations. We all agree to abide by these changes. All safety protocols need to be followed during the school day regardless of whether on school grounds, school-sponsored events, the school bus, or when off campus during a free period or lunchtime.
Self-Assessment
Students and staff will honestly complete a self-assessment in Aspen before entering campus each day.
- Students and staff will monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 and immediately report any such symptoms to the school nurse.
- Students/families who do not complete the self-assessment form each day will be prohibited from entering the school.
- We expect students to be fully transparent about their symptoms. Students will not be penalized for missing in-person classes.
- Students must not discourage other students from disclosing their symptoms.
- Students will participate willingly and immediately in a wellness check if requested by a faculty or staff member.
Hygiene
Students and staff will wash their hands frequently, wearing clean masks, and follow other best practices of hygiene, including any disinfecting protocols requested of them in the classroom.
Masks
Students and staff will wear a face mask or facial covering in all indoor spaces, including the bus, and in outdoor spaces when physical distancing of 6 feet between individuals is not possible. The mask must be compliant with district regulations.
Traffic Patterns/Campus Access
Students and staff will follow all prescribed traffic patterns to enter, exit, and travel within buildings. Students will only access the campus as explicitly defined and permitted by the school on remote learning days. If able, we encourage students to walk or ride a bike to school.
COVID-19 Testing
Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 will follow requirements as determined by the board of health. Students and staff will engage truthfully in a contact tracing interview to identify those at risk of becoming infected. If another health care provider conducts the test, students and staff are expected to immediately share information with the Concord Board of Health and the school nurse.
Students and staff who are deemed contacts of a person who tests positive for COVID-19 will follow quarantine procedures determined by the Concord Board of Health. Only the Board of Health determines who is considered a contact.
Physical Distancing
Physical distancing is a critical component in mitigating the transmission of the virus. Schools should aim for a physical distance of 6 feet when feasible. During meals, mask breaks, and other times when masks are not worn, 6 feet is the minimum distance allowed. From a facilities and operations perspective, it is essential to understand how these minimum requirements will affect space layouts and movement protocols.
Symptoms
STAY HOME if any of the following symptoms are present. Our collective health relies, in part, on individual attention and responsibility. Note that some symptoms of COVID-19 are the same as the flu or a bad cold; please do not assume it is another condition. When in doubt, stay home.
Please STAY HOME if you have any of the symptoms listed.
Below is the full list of symptoms for which caregivers should monitor their children, and staff should monitor themselves:
❏ Fever (100.° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills
❏ Cough (not due to other known cause, such as a chronic cough)
❏ Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
❏ New loss of taste or smell
❏ Sore throat
❏ Headache when in combination with other symptoms
❏ Muscle aches or body aches
❏ Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
❏ Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms
❏ Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) combined with other symptoms
If staff or students have any of these symptoms, they must get a test for active COVID-19 infection before returning to school. As noted, it is imperative that anyone showing symptoms remain home, and students will not be penalized for missing school.
Open Campus/Free Periods/In-Person Students with Remote Teachers
With parental permission, all juniors and seniors will have open campus. With parental consent, all students with a free period are allowed to leave school and work from home. Students with free periods first and last period are allowed to arrive later or leave early. Underclassmen are required to remain on campus for lunch unless dismissed from school. Some educators are teaching all of their classes virtually. For circumstances such as this, there are designated areas in school students will report to for class. Students are encouraged to bring headphones. We have purchased headphones for students who forget them or do not have a pair. Admittedly, these are of lesser quality, similar to earbuds utilized by airlines.
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