Dear Smithfield Staff and Families,
This 1st edition of the Back to School report (2021-2022) includes our weekly report on COVID cases, transmission levels, back to school plans, town vaccination clinic, masks, and town data. All Back to School reports will be posted on the COVID page of the district website (scroll down and click on green COVID tab).
A Weekly Report on COVID Cases
While we are not sure that we would receive notifications of positive COVID cases among our students during the summer, we are aware of one case for a student and one staff case.
Transmission Levels
The following transmission levels are based upon the number of new cases of COVID-19 per week per 100,000 persons. The corresponding number of new cases in Smithfield is provided, given a population of approximately 21,650.
|
| Per 100,000 | In Smithfield |
Low Transmission | 0-9.99 | 0-2 (< 5) |
Moderate Transmission | 10-49.99 | 5-11 |
Substantial Transmission | 50-99.99 | 12-22 |
High Transmission | > 100 | 23+ |
2021-2022 Back to School Plans
A plan for the 2021-2022 school year was submitted to RIDOH and RIDE and is posted on our website. This plan includes assurances relating to instruction, health and safety, operations, and other areas. In addition, we submitted a grant application for a .5 RN to serve as our COVID coordinator and a support staff to assist with COVID-related functions, including vaccination clinics, testing, contact-tracing, and resource management.
Vaccination Clinic
Getting vaccinated is a way to protect yourself and your family and to reduce the overall spread of the virus in the community. A vaccination clinic will be held this Saturday, August 21st, from 9AM to 11AM at Smithfield High School. This is a clinic for all students, family and residents aged 12 years and older. While walk-ins are welcome, organizers appreciate pre-registration for this clinic at this link: https://www.vaccinateri.org/appointment/en/reg/1625967890
Masks
On August 19, 2021, Governor Dan McKee issued an executive order requiring that all students and staff wear masks inside school buildings. Our draft mask policy is consistent with this executive order.
Town Data
In the past three weeks, new COVID cases in Smithfield rose from 12 to 18 to 31. This corresponds to a daily rate of 4.4 new cases per 22,000 residents, or about 20.1 per 100,000. This is considered substantial transmission. This data is available at https://bit.ly/2PxCgDM.
Sincerely,
Judy Paolucci, Superintendent
