After more infections students to stay home today, begin remote model Wednesday

Any students found to have had close contact with newly infected will be contacted for quarantine. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Rochester Schools officials announced on Sunday that due to additional positive COVID-19 infections the remote school model that was suppose to start after Thanksgiving will now start today.

This change comes after the district received new information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services this weekend that several additional positive tests were identified on both Saturday and Sunday across the district.

Those individuals are self-quarantining in accordance with DHHS guidelines. Under state and federal privacy laws, no further information is available about the individuals.

Due to this abundance of recent positive cases and the necessary self-quarantining procedures, the district will not be able to support in-person services and is transitioning to full remote learning out of an abundance of caution and to protect the health and safety of all members of the district community.

Today students will not have school, while school staff will use an additional professional development day to allow for staff to finalize their plans for the long remote learning period, which will last through the MLK holiday.

Students will return to school on Jan. 19.

Tuesdaywas already scheduled as a no school and professional development day due to the election. This schedule remains unchanged.

On Wednesday, Nov. 4, during the district's early release day, technology and resources will be distributed to students. Additional information about technology distribution will be shared with families as soon as it is available.

The district will begin its remote learning schedule on Thursday.

This all comes after the district on Friday announced its Holiday Quarantine Model that was scheduled to be put into place beginning Nov. 30 and until Jan. 19.

Targeted students will be contacted by their administration no later than Friday, Nov. 6 with a possible start date of Monday, Nov. 9.

The district will also be expediting the distribution of technology and food surveys Monday and Tuesday to ensure families have the necessary resources for these circumstances.

The district will be working with DHHS to identify and contact all close contacts of the positive individuals. Those who are identified as a close contact (anyone who was within 6 feet of an infected individual up to two days prior to the positive test result) will be contacted by DHHS and required to quarantine for at least two weeks. Specific quarantine plans will be provided to those affected. Those families and staff will be directed to get tested and keep themselves or their children quarantined until 14 days following their last possible exposure. If you do not receive a call from DHHS, this means you have not been identified as a close contact and you are not required to quarantine.

School officials reminded parents that if you or your child are currently quarantined, you must remain in quarantine for 14 days, even if your test is negative. This is due to the fact that symptoms can present up to two weeks after exposure.