Dear Smithfield Staff and Families,
This 44th edition of the Return to School report includes our weekly report on COVID cases, town data, vaccination updates, and mask guidance.
A Weekly Report on COVID Cases
There were 3 additional cases in our schools this week, bringing our total to 356. Winsor, LaPerche, and SHS each had one additional case while GMS, McCabe, and OCRS had no new cases this week. This brings our total number of cases to 356 since the start of the school year.
Vaccination Updates
Vaccination is currently a family choice. District leadership follows CDC guidance and recommendations when sharing all information about vaccinations.
A vaccination clinic is scheduled for students ages 12-15 on Saturday at GMS from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Here is the registration link: May 22nd Appointment | Rhode Island. This appointment is for the first of two doses. The second dose would occur on Saturday, June 12th from 9:00am-1:00pm at Gallagher Middle School. You will be able to register for the second dose at this first dose clinic.
For those unable to attend the May 22nd clinic, you may sign up for your first dose at one of these clinics: Friday, May 21st or Monday, May 24th at Smithfield High School from 2:00pm-5:00pm. Registration link for the May 21st or May 24th Vaccination Clinics:
May 21st Appointment | Rhode Island May 24th Appointment | Rhode Island
Parents or guardians MUST ACCOMPANY any person younger than 16 years of age to these clinics. Please contact Todd Manni (tmanni@smithfieldema.org) at Smithfield EMA with any questions.
Clarification on Mask Guidance
As of this date, the RIDOH has not changed guidance for mask-wearing in schools. Most school staff, few high school students, and no elementary or middle school students have been fully vaccinated. Students and staff must continue to wear masks unless they are eating or drinking or are outside and can maintain social distancing. When groups of fully vaccinated staff members meet together and are not in the presence of students, masks may be removed. We will continue to monitor guidance changes being made and will make changes in our practices accordingly.
Town Data
New COVID cases in Smithfield dropped to 32 three weeks ago then dropped again to 24 a week later. While new data is usually posted by Thursday, no data was posted this past week, which we had anticipated to be higher, due to the cases seen last week in our schools. Thankfully, cases in our schools dropped this week! We will provide future updates as they become available. This data is available at https://bit.ly/2PxCgDM.
Sincerely,
Judy Paolucci, Superintendent