Covid-19
Information
ESSER 3 Use of Funds
Update 4/11/23
We are seeking to reallocate these funds in the following manner.
Machias Public Schools are applying for $1,774,107.22 of these funds. We will use $1,067,800.00 for the improvement of RGM and MMHS facilities and transportation systems to promote health and safety. $493, 941.82 will be use to address learning loss through payment for additional staff, additional materials and after school and summer programming. Upgrades to technology will utilize $35,000.00 of the funding. $132,908.53 will be used to purchase additional PPE, cleaning supplies, maintenance equipment, as well as pay for additional hours of kitchen and custodial staff. The school nurse and a grant manager will be funded through these funds as well. $45,000.00 was used to purchase a van to facilitate student transportation and meal delivery during school shut downs.
Community input regarding this plan would be greatly appreciated.
ARP ESSERiii input requested
Machias Public Schools, MMHS & RMG, are requesting input from the public on the following plan for using the most recent grant funds available from the federal government to address the impact of covid-19 on children’s health, safety and education (ARP ESSER III).
Machias Public Schools are applying for $1,774,107.22 of these funds. We will use $1,108,000.00 for the improvement of RMG and MMHS facilities and transportation systems to promote health and safety. $545,500.00 will be used to address learning loss through payment for additional staff, additional materials, and after school and summer programming. Upgrades to technology will utilize $45,000 of the funding, and the remaining $75,607.22 will be used to purchase additional PPE, cleaning supplies, maintenance equipment, as well as to pay for additional hours for kitchen and custodial staff.
If you wish to comment on this plan, please feel free to contact Nicole Case (255-3812 or ncase@mmhsbulldogs.org) or Sue Dow (255-3812 or sdow@rmges.org). Community input regarding this plan would be greatly appreciated.
SAFE RETURN TO SCHOOL PLAN 2022-2023
The Maine CDC has adopted the United States CDC’s COVID-19 prevention strategies. They can be found at the following link.
https://www.cdc.gov/
Both the federal and state CDC, the Machias School Committee, and our Machias Memorial High School educators are in agreement that students benefit from in-person learning, and safely returning to in-person instruction for the 2021-2022 school year is a priority. At Machias Memorial High School, all students are encouraged to engage in in-person learning; we do offer a path to graduation as a remote option for extenuating circumstances. All requests will be directed to the principal who will advise interested families of the application process.
Emphasis is on current vaccination, staying home when sick, ventilation, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, cleaning and disinfection, knowledge of community levels, masking protocol, and testing.
Machias Memorial High School does not have a universal masking mandate in place. Staff and students are welcome to choose face coverings, they are not required to do so.
Vaccination is considered the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccinated students are less likely to require quarantine than their unvaccinated peers. Machias Memorial High School has hosted vaccination clinics and will do so again in the future. Lori Martin, school nurse, is available to help families seek vaccination appointments should they request her assistance. COVID-19 vaccination is not required to attend Machias Memorial High School.
Ventilation is an important component in combating Covid-19. Teachers will keep windows and doors open as much as possible, and some classrooms have been equipped with air filtration units. Upon acceptance of the next round of covid related school funding, the school will further address ventilation. Teachers will utilize outdoor learning spaces as often as feasible, particularly for classes where distancing is more difficult.
Hand hygiene continues to be an important layer of prevention in protecting from illness. Handwashing sinks are located in all restrooms, and there are three additional handwashing sinks in the hallways. Hand sanitizer is located throughout the building and is readily available. Our custodial staff pays great attention to cleaning and disinfection of the school and its surfaces.
Students and staff MUST stay home when they are sick or have any signs of any infectious illness. Please notify the school secretary by phone or email if you are keeping your student home. She will call home daily for all students who are absent and unaccounted for. Please do not hesitate to contact the school nurse lmartin@rmges.org or the school secretary jessica.look@mmhsbulldogs.org if you have any questions or concerns.
POSITIVE COVID CASES
The Maine CDC had standard operating procedures (SOP) in place for responding to positive COVID cases. The SOP has since been retired. MMHS requires five days of quarantine and then five days of masking. Parents of students with a positive Covid test are asked to call or email Lori Martin. Her number is 207-263-3239.
Document Initially developed in August, 2020 – MMHS Re-Opening Team
First Revision August, 2021 – MMHS Re-Opening Team
Second Revision September, 2021
Third Revision January 9, 2023
Maine Department of Education Covid-19 Toolkit
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
