Center & Pepin Elementary Schools

WHY IS EPS POOL TESTING?

Saramarie Holmes
The Easthampton Public Schools are welcoming students back full time over the coming month. A layered approach to mitigation, including protocols such as masks, hand washing, and physical distancing are in place and have been proving effective in minimizing risk of COVID-19 transmission among students and staff. To enhance these essential mitigation strategies, Easthampton Public Schools will be providing voluntary pool testing to students and staff. Pool testing allows school districts to quickly identify and isolate asymptomatic individuals. By participating in pool testing EPS will have another tool to stop the spread of COVID-19 within our buildings and throughout the community. Having a high number of participants in pool testing will provide a better understanding of the presence of COVID-19 and maximize our ability to remain open and to bring more students into the building.

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Student Pooled Testing Sign up – Easthampton Public Schools (epsd.us)

Please join our Pooled Testing Program!

Saramarie Holmes
Easthampton Public Schools has elected to participate in the six-week Pooled Testing Program offered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Pool testing is PCR testing by mixing several test samples together in a “batch” or “pool” and then testing the sample for SARS-CoV-2 virus. 

Registrations are accepted at any time during the 6 week program; registration for the week of pooled testing closes on prior Friday at noon.
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Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards

Saramarie Holmes
It is with great excitement that I announce the winners of this year’s Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards to you. 
Easthampton is proud to have two winners this year:
Jill Collins, Grade 4 Teacher at Center Pepin Elementary
and
Margaret Betts, Grade 4 Teacher at Maple Elementary School
Congratulations to both exceptional teachers, who managed to shift their classrooms to remote learning in monumental ways – really engaging with every student and building a strong classroom community.  Beyond that, each educator was also praised by colleagues for their impact beyond the classroom.  Jill Collins collaborated to start a Social Justice PLC (Professional Learning Community) and has been instrumental in securing resources and tools for all grades in this important work.  Margaret Betts has worked tirelessly to support educators this year pivot to online tools specifically around mathematics.
Both educators will be recognized by the Grinspoon Foundation in a virtual celebration this spring.
Please join me in congratulating these exceptional Easthampton educators!
One final thought:   I would be remiss not to mention all the amazing educators in Easthampton who have taken on the challenge of remote learning this year and soared.  Their support of colleagues, relationships with families, problem-solving attitudes and complete dedication make them all winners!