Dunning Elementary Closing Classroom Due To COVID Cases

FRAMINGHAM – Dunning Elementary is closing a classroom to prevent the spread of COVID, announced Principal Michele Schecter, this afternoon.

A COVID case was reported at the Frost Street elementary school yesterday, and another case was reported today.

There have been 7 positive COVID cases at Dunning since December 1.

“In spite of daily risk mitigation efforts, including pool testing and Test and Stay protocols, one of our classrooms has an increasing and ongoing confirmation of positive COVID cases. After thoughtful consideration, the decision has been made to temporarily close that classroom to prevent the spread of illness. This decision was made in collaboration with the District COVID team, Dunning administration, the school nurse, the Framingham Department of Public Health, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education,” said Principal Schecter in an email to parents this afternoon, December 7.

“Students impacted in this classroom may return to school on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 provided they have a negative COVID test and have no COVID-like symptoms,’ wrote the Principal, who said the specific families impacted were notified.

“We will be working together with the Office of Teaching and Learning and the classroom teacher to address the students’ academic needs. We appreciate the continued support and understanding from our community as we navigate the challenges of the pandemic” said the principal.

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While it is impossible to eliminate all risk of contracting COVID-19, we can take several steps to try and protect ourselves and our community! In short, practicing a combination of efforts is the best way to lower the risk of transmitting COVID-19 among staff, students and families.

• Keep Children Home When Sick
• Wear Masks Consistently and Correctly
• Wash Hands Frequently
• Maintain Physical Distance When Possible
• Participate in Routine COVID Testing and/or Test and Stay
• Increase Ventilation and Air Circulation
• Get Vaccinated
• Get your Flu Shot

If your child(ren) are sick and showing COVID-like symptoms, take these steps:

• Stay home
• Email or call your healthcare provider, for evaluation and for on-site COVID testing
• Email or call the following school staff members to report your student’s absence:
  • Office Manager: Shannon Pierson, spierson@framingham.k12.ma.us, 508-626-9155
  • Explorers Coordinator (if applicable): Kelvin Hernandez, khernandez@framingham.k12.ma.us, 508-816-6354

• Testing Options (When You Are Experiencing Symptoms):
  • Framingham COVID Testing Options
  • Ashland COVID Testing (Drive through testing is set up on the far right of the Commuter Rail parking lot)
• If Positive – Isolate per public health guidance (see more on the Quarantine Page)
• If Negative – Share test results with your school nurse and wait for clearance to return to school / activities. Students must be fever-free without fever-reducing medication for 24 hours and have had a significant improvement in symptoms.
• If no testing is done, stay home for 10 days in isolation (see more on the Quarantine Page)
• If an alternative diagnosis is made, provide documentation to your school nurse and wait for clearance to return to school.