View this email in your browser

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

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:

Drive Through Antigen Testing at TBS on Sunday, January 2: Sign up here
Home Antigen Testing: Order a kit here if you need one!
Home PCR Testing (free via your insurance for children in school, select congregate setting): Order a kit here
At any of the local test sites

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. Or come on January 2 and get tested then!

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.

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 with questions. Sign up here by Monday, January 3.

Health Updates

Tips for Increasing Mask Protection

Comfort is the most important factor in choosing masks for children. The best mask is one that they will wear. In addition, here are a few tips to improve the protection your child's mask provides.

Improve fit to help prevent air (potentially with respiratory droplets containing the virus) from flowing freely around the edges of the mask and instead forcing air to flow through the mask. Check to make sure your child’s mask:

Fits snugly against the sides of their face (no gaps)
Does not fall down (completely covers nose and mouth and stays in place)

Improve filtration to cause more respiratory droplets containing the virus to be captured by the mask. Check to make sure your child’s mask:

Has 3 layers (often listed as “triple ply”)
Consider using a mask that has been tested and found to meet ASTM standards
Consider an KN95 or KF94, which better filters particles
If your child prefers a cloth mask, choose one with a pocket so you can add a filter

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 next Friday. 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

In our surveillance screening this week we processed 252 PCR tests and 103 antigen tests and all were negative. Our screening included faculty and children.

Home Test Kit Orders

Yes, we have a more available! Prices have increased due to supply shortages and the latest batch is $30 per pack. Pick up is this Tuesday, December 28 from 2-5pm or we will put it in your child's backpack once school resumes. If you need some, please order them here: Test Order Form

More COVID-19 Health Resources

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!