March 15, 2020
Today, Governor Chris Sunnunu closed all New Hampshire schools until April 3, 2020. Additional communication regarding this new development will be forthcoming.
Distance Learning (Day 1) will begin tomorrow, March 16, 2020, as planned.
March 14, 2020
Please click here to view the Superintendent’s Letter Regarding School Closure
March 13, 2020
Dear Parents,
In an effort to continually provide an environment to maintain student and staff safety, activities such as performances, dances, and field trips have been postponed until further notice. I made this decision out of an abundance of caution for our school community as a result of the Coronavirus. The rationale for which activities are being postponed and which are remaining scheduled are dependent on the attendees at the events. All events that solely involve our school community (students and staff) will take place as scheduled. Schoolsponsored events that bring families and outside public to the event will be postponed. Non-school sponsored activities are up to the discretion of the coordinators of these events. After such functions, our maintenance staff will thoroughly sanitize these areas before students return the following day. This preventive measure of social distancing is one of the strategies recommended by the Centers for Disease Control to minimize the risk of contracting the coronavirus.
Please check your child’s school’s website for a list of activities that are currently scheduled and for those that have been postponed.
We are monitoring the situation and will provide updates as necessary.
Sincerely,
William J. Rearick
SAU15 Superintendent of Schools
March 6, 2020
Please see the attached updated guidance from our NH DHHS regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
One key change is the CDC modified its guidance on 3/4/2020 for Level 3 countries (China, Iran, Italy and South Korea) and Level 2 countries (Japan). Travelers to level 3 countries should “stay home and monitor their health for 14 days after returning to the United States.” This would include staying home and monitoring their health for 14 days after they leave level 3 risk country. Travelers from countries with a level 2 alert do not need to stay home, but should monitor their health for 14 days after leaving the level 2 risk country.
Irrespective of whether individuals fully quarantined themselves or only quarantined themselves from school upon return from a level 3 country, the current CDC guidance is that they should “stay home and monitor their health for 14 days after returning to the United States.” We recognize that this may not reflect the level of quarantine activities of some individuals have exercised, but that level can begin now.
It is permissible for siblings or children of individuals who traveled to level 3 areas, but who themselves did not travel, to attend school and not be quarantined. If the traveler presents symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.), the sibling or child, in accordance with CDC guidance, should self-quarantine until the traveler can be evaluated by a medical professional to determine the nature of the illness.
An additional question that has arisen centers around encouraging individuals to respect voluntary quarantine requests. I have been assured that the Department of Health and Human Services has all of the appropriate tools it needs to protect citizens where quarantine action is required.
We have also received some inquiries for guidance regarding upcoming scheduled student trips abroad. At this time, we have collected information on many of your upcoming school trips. We are working with NH DHHS to develop some factors for you to weigh in your consideration about whether to proceed with the trip, modify the itinerary or, possibly, cancel the trip. We hope to provide you with those considerations soon.
The NH DOE is ready to work with you to assist you in making your decisions and helping to provide the most up to date guidance from our Public Health experts. Should you have any concerns or questions, please reach out to NH Division of Public Health Services at 603-271-4496.
Chris Sununu | Governor
State of New Hampshire
107 North Main Street | Concord, NH 03301
Phone: 603-271-2121
Frank Edelblut | Commissioner of Education
New Hampshire Department of Education
101 Pleasant Street | Concord, NH 03301
Phone: 603-271-3144
March 4, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I am writing again to keep you informed about the ever-changing COVID-19 situation and the Hooksett School District’s response.
Recently the Center for Disease Control and Prevention updated their recommendations for people returning from traveling to countries with a Level 3 Travel Health Notice. Following their recommendation, we are now asking any member of David R. Cawley Middle School, Hooksett Memorial School, or Fred C. Underhill School, students, faculty, and staff, who have traveled to countries identified by the CDC as warning level 3 to stay home for 14 days. As of today, those countries include China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea. We are also asking anyone living with those who have traveled to voluntarily stay home and follow the same procedures.
Students who are staying home will be medically excused and class/homework will be provided for them. Students may return to school on an agreed upon date.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact myself or our school nurse.
Sincerely,
William J. Rearick
Superintendent of Schools
March 2, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians,
In recent days, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other public health agencies have indicated concerns about the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus). A CDC official recently advised parents and students to familiarize themselves with their school’s plans to employ preventive measures to help prevent the spread of the virus.
Please read the attached information carefully:
Corona Virus Self Assessment (PDF)