Dear Smithfield Staff and Families,
This 41st edition of the Return to School report includes our weekly report on COVID cases, vaccination clinics, sports updates, and town data. Additional news from Smithfield schools are available in our newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/2mh6hnk8
A Weekly Report on COVID Cases
Six (6) COVID have been added to our total case report over the past two weeks. Two cases were from SHS, two were from McCabe, one from Winsor, and one from OCRS. Both LaPerche and GMS had no cases in the past two weeks. This brings our total number of cases to 333 since the start of the school year.
Vaccination Clinics at SHS
The Town of Smithfield is hosting two (2) vaccination clinics for all students 16+ (public, private and Bryant University), staff and their families. These first dose Pfizer vaccine clinics will take place at Smithfield High School on Friday, April 30th and Monday, May 3rd. Smithfield High School students and Smithfield staff are invited to use the link for 11am-1pm (during the school day), while others are limited to the 2pm-5pm appointments.
To schedule an appointment please use the links below:
SHS Students and Staff Only: Friday, April 30th 11:00AM – 1:00PM
https://www.vaccinateri.org//reg/1002959609
https://www.vaccinateri.org//reg/5901600792
SHS Students and Staff Only: Monday, May 3rd 11:00AM – 1:00PM
https://www.vaccinateri.org//reg/0519296006
https://www.vaccinateri.org//reg/9110296005
All Rhode Islanders age 16 and older are eligible to register and be vaccinated and, according to RI law, parental consent forms are not required for those 16 and older.
The Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect yourself and your family from the coronavirus disease. Vaccination, along with continued efforts to wear facial coverings, social distance, and hand washing is our best defense against COVID-19. Vaccinate before you graduate!
Sports Updates
Starting April 26th, wrestling, a sport that is “higher risk” and played indoors, has been allowed to resume practices and competitions. Also, starting Monday the 26th , the restriction on who can attend youth sports (including high schools) was removed. This means that spectators for youth sports will no longer be limited to just the athlete’s parents and siblings. If facility capacity limits can be met with proper social distancing (currently, 500 outdoor and 250 indoor), this will allow for family, friends, and members of the community to show their support at youth sporting events. While this is great news for grandparents, students and others, facility capacity limits with proper social distancing at all venues must be observed (currently 500 outdoor, and 250 indoor).
Town Data
New COVID cases in Smithfield dropped nearly in half - to 59 for the week preceding vacation week and was 58 this past week. This latest figure corresponds to a daily rate of 11.6 new cases per 21,650 residents or 53.6 per 100,000 in a day or a 375 per 100,000 weekly rate. This data is available at https://bit.ly/2PxCgDM.
Sincerely,
Judy Paolucci, Superintendent