Madison Middle School

By barsotti_p 　https://blogs.4j.lane.edu/madisonstaff/2022/01/14/january-14th-2022/

Hi Monarchs,

What a week! We appreciate every one of you who has stepped in to support your colleagues and students in so many ways this week. The family we have built here never ceases to amaze us. Thank you.

Here are this week’s updates:

MADISON INFORMATION          

• Here are this week’s FOCUS Slides

• Safety Drills: Here are the dates and times for our safety drills for the remainder of the year. They’ll be added to the Zimbra calendar as well. 

  • Thursday, January 20, 10:15am
  • Tuesday, February 22, 11:10m
  • Wednesday, March 16, 12:00pm
  • Thursday, April 21, 2:25pm
  • Wednesday, May 25, 9:05am
  • Monday, June 6, 11:10am

DISTRICT INFORMATION                               

• Updated Quarantine Guidelines: Lane County Public Health as well as 4J adopted the CDC’s new recommendations for quarantine and isolation this week. The new guidelines significantly shorten the amount of time people are out for both having or being exposed to Covid.
  • Unvaccinated Covid Exposure: New guidelines require a 5 day isolation followed by 5 days of consistent masking. The day of the exposure is day 0 and the five days are counted after that. 
        
  • Vaccinated Covid Exposure: The guidance here hasn’t changed. If you’re fully vaccinated, students included, you do not need to quarantine if exposed to Covid, even if that person lives in your household. However I highly recommend (especially if you aren’t boosted and are 6 months past your 2nd dose) that if you’ve been exposed to mask with more vigilance and to consider increasing safety precautions such as consistently maintaining 6 feet of distance from students. 
         
  • Covid Positive: The isolation period is now as short as 5 days, but works on a case-by case basis. If you test positive and are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms that improve rapidly, you’ll only need to be out 5 days followed by 5 days of consistent masking, even when outside. However anyone experiencing more severe symptoms should stay home until symptoms are greatly improved. 
          
  • Booster Shots: Anyone 6 months past their 2nd dose who haven’t yet received a booster shot is now not considered up to date on Covid vaccines by the CDC. Boosters are not required, but if you’re open to it, there are many options available to receive your booster. Linked here are some of the options in Lane County including a walk-in clinic at Riverbend. I highly recommend going on a Friday night or arranging for a sub for the day after your booster just in case. Some people haven’t had any side effects while others (including myself) report experiencing side effects that require a day of rest.
       
• EasyCBM Winter Benchmarking: The easyCBM testing window for Madison will be from January 31 – February 3 during Focus. Please plan on administering these assessments during that week. Watch for a more detailed email from either Gina or Dorothy next week.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND OTHER INFORMATION       

• Repeat: EEA Seminar Brochure: Linked here is the EEA 2022 Professional Development Seminar Series. Along with helpful PD, licensed staff can also earn credits to bump columns on the pay scale.

Next Week at a Glance:

Looking forward to two shortened weeks for kids! Enjoy the time, and take good care of yourselves and of each other!

Peter and Gina