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Shabbat Shalom!
Upcoming Dates
- Thursday, December 23-Friday, December 31: No School- Winter Break
- Sunday, January 2: Drive Through Testing, 3-5pm Sign up here
- Friday, January 15: Deadline for Re-Enrollment 2022-23
- Monday, January 17
- School Year: No School- Martin Luther King Day
- Year Round: Regular Schedule
- Tuesday, January 18: No School- Teacher Learning Day
2021-22 Calendar
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News & Updates
Return from Winter Break Protocol Change
With covid rates rising in the local community, we are making a change to our return from winter break protocol. While previously testing was optional, we are now requiring all children and faculty to get tested before returning to school after winter break. This will help to mitigate risk to others. You can get tested in any of the following ways:
Home antigen testing should be done the morning of your child's return to school. Home or lab PCR testing should be done 1-2 days in advance.
As previously shared, if your celebrations or travel plans include being in an unmasked, mixed household group indoors, unless the whole group is testing prior to the gathering, we ask that you have your child stay home and get tested on Day 5, or later, after your gathering or upon your return from travel. With a negative test and no symptoms, your child may return to school. Please let us know if you are selecting this option, so that we can plan for your child's absence.
Please send results to us at paperwork@tbsneedham.org.
Covid Vigilance
One of the best mitigation strategies for covid is our commitment to each other. Massachusetts now has one of the highest covid rates in our nation. This calls for extra vigilance on our parts. If your child is unvaccinated, please tighten your practices by strictly limiting their participation in the following activities: travel, indoor group gatherings, dining inside restaurants, contact with those who are unvaccinated, and guest hosting. Keep your unvaccinated child masked when indoors in a public space.
Restricting our activities is challenging, and we recognize the burden and sacrifice families are making. We ask that you continue support these restrictions fully, approaching them with positivity and understanding. By being extra cautious we are ensuring the health of our entire community.
Caring Team Request
The Caring Team invites you to help support two famlies in our TBS community:
- Provide a meal to the Landman family (Sophie/Shemesh) after Melissa's upcoming surgery. Sign up.
- Provide a meal to the Goldfarb family (Livia/Nitzanim) as they mourn the loss of Stephanie's sister. Sign up.
Coat Drive Update
Wow! We did it! With your support we donated over 300 coats to Circle of Hope. After the children filled the trucks, they went directly from TBS to seven different shelters housing homeless families. Thank you for your help in making this a record donation year!
Kindergarten Simchat Shemot Moving
We have moved the Kindergarten Simchat Shemot naming ceremony from January to May in hopes that better covid rates will make it easier for us to gather. K families, Please mark your calendars and plan to join us on Sunday, May 15 from 3-4:30pm.
Itty BESTY Youth Group: Olympics!
Sunday, January 23, 2:30-3:30pm
Come one, come all to a fun event for all! Want the chance to compete in some fun games with your friends? Here is your chance to do it! Children will have a variety of low level games and activities that they get to choose from, and have a chance to practice some sportsmanship and teamwork! $5 per child. Contact Lila Klaus at lklaus@tbsneedham.org with questions. Sign up here by Monday, January 3.
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Health Updates
Be Alert for Symptoms
As we head into the winter cold and flu season, remember that children who are sick must stay home. Even if your child has a negative covid test, if they are ill, they could spread that illness to others. In addition, while these children may be happy and active at home, the demands of group interactions at school can become too much. A sick or overtired child has a difficult time learning. We count on you to determine whether your child is physically well enough to attend school. Remember that our days are full and active, and we do not have appropriate facilities for a child who needs sleep or sick care. If your child is not well enough to play outdoors or participate in another part of the school day, please keep your child home.
Send in Your Vaccination Records
Please send your flu (all children) and covid (ages 5+) vaccination records to paperwork@tbsneedham.org. They are due by December 31. If you need help obtaining an appointment, or your child's vaccines will be delayed for any reason, please be in touch.
Surveillance Screening Results
This week we processed 202 PCR tests and 120 antigen tests and all results received so far were negative. Our screening included faculty and children.
BinaxNow Home Test Kit Orders
Home test kits are available starting next week at $20 per two-pack. BinaxNow Order Form
More COVID-19 Health Resources
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Around Temple Beth Shalom & the Community
Light Up the Night Light Painting
Check out these beautiful light painting portraits we created at Light Up the Night! Thank you to all those who helped to make it such a fun evening!
Needham Public Health Urges Testing Before Gathering
With the holiday season in full swing, Needham Public Health is strongly encouraging residents to get tested for covid prior to gathering with family and friends even if individuals are experiencing relatively mild symptoms like a runny nose or cough. While Needham’s recorded covid cases remain relatively low, cases of the virus statewide are increasing, along with a rise in hospitalizations.
Testing can help prevent unknowingly spreading the disease to others. If you’re feeling sick and are showing symptoms of covid and received a negative home test, Needham Public Health encourages you to get a PCR test. You can find testing locations here.
The best way to prevent the spread of covid is to get vaccinated and boosted. Needham Public Health continues to offer vaccine clinics as doses are made available from the state. If those clinics are full, you can find other vaccine clinics here.
Have additional questions about testing, masking or vaccines? Check out the Town’s covid webpage with updated Frequently Asked Questions.
For additional questions, contact publichealthnursing@needhamma.gov.
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