Dear Friends,
What a week we are having. Second Grade students under the care of our wonderful, Coach Shane Hollimon are playing handball as I sit outside to write to you. In front of me, one student to a bench, 6th-grade students are discussing with Teacher Peter Taylor how to use different meditation practices to slow their actions, test what they are thinking, look at their feelings, reflect on what they are feeling, and then to choose how to respond to that feeling. Mrs. Marrazzo and Mrs. D. brought their students out to ride the trikes and enjoy our beautiful campus. Their play yard has new play equipment for them to explore. Jessica Fielding gave all WFS students a taste of the amazing musical growth in 8th grade over the year. Yesterday, to close Meeting for Worship, they sang “Let There Be Peace on Earth” for the whole school.
We are heading into our final long weekend. I want to update you on where we are with travel quarantines. As you know, the CDC and the state have recently changed guidelines. Here is what you need to know if you are traveling between now and the end of the school year.
Domestic Travel
The CDC discourages travel for unvaccinated individuals and recommends post-travel COVID testing and quarantine. That being said, the State of New Jersey no longer requires quarantine for any individuals returning from domestic travel. As a result, Westfield Friends School does not require any quarantine for students or employees returning from domestic travel. As always, you should monitor your child for any COVID-19 symptoms and keep them home from school if they are feeling unwell.
International Travel
If a fully vaccinated student or employee travels internationally, there is no need to quarantine after returning home. The CDC does, however, recommend getting tested for COVID-19 with a PCR (viral) test 3-5 days after travel and self-monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms.
If an unvaccinated student or employee travels internationally, they must:
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- Get tested for COVID-19 with a PCR (viral) test 3-5 days after travel.
- Quarantine at home for a full 7 days after travel, even if they test negative.
- Quarantine for a full 10 days if they choose not to get tested for COVID-19.
- If an individual has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days, they should follow recommendations for fully vaccinated individuals, except they do not need to get tested for COVID-19 after travel unless they show symptoms.
Please be sure to review the summer reading program with your children. Teachers will also be going over it with their students. You will find everything you need to know about our Summer Reading Program on the website. Why not read one of the selections for Middle School students or the adult companion to many of those books yourself this summer? We are a community that reads together. I would even give a shout-out to any parent that sends me their own filled Bingo Reading Challenge card!
Warmly,
Margaret
What I am reading:
I am re-reading (because I love this book):
