Monadnock Regional Middle High School to Resume In-Person Learning May 20

SWANZEY — Superintendent Lisa A. Witte reports that Monadnock Regional Middle High School will return to in-person learning tomorrow, following a two-day transition to remote learning due to multiple positive cases of COVID-19.

The Department of Education has not acted to authorize the district to continue remote learning through Friday, May 21, and the Department of Health and Human Services has indicated that it is safe to re-open for in-person learning beginning tomorrow.

The District is still awaiting results from COVID-19 tests for additional individuals who were identified through contact tracing as potential close contacts.

While the middle high school will be open for regular, in-person learning, students who stay home with parental permission will have their absences excused.

“The health and safety of students, staff and their families have been our top priority since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and remains so now,” Superintendent Witte said. “While the Department of Health and Human Services has advised us that it is safe to open the Middle High School for the remainder of the week, families should know that they have every right to keep their students at home if they believe that to be in their best interest. However, families should rest assured that we will do everything in our power — including continuing to closely follow safety protocols — to ensure a healthy return to school.”

On Monday, May 17, the District learned of three new positive cases of COVID-19 within Monadnock Regional Middle High School, bringing the total of active positive cases in the building to seven. Of those, six were within the high school. Students in grades 9-12 were dismissed early Monday as a precautionary measure, and the entire Middle High School transitioned to remote learning Tuesday and Wednesday.

District officials will continue to monitor the situation and work in close collaboration with state partners.

The majority of district staff were fully vaccinated earlier this year. Students age 12 and over are eligible to be vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine, and can register to be vaccinated by clicking here.

“Vaccination is the most effective prevention tool we have at this moment, and public health experts have determined that the Pfizer vaccine is safe and extraordinarily effective for individuals age 12 and up,” Superintendent Witte said. “I strongly encourage all who are eligible to be vaccinated so that we can mitigate the risk COVID-19 poses to our well-being while reducing the impact it has on our daily lives.”

The district would also like to remind community members that a mask mandate remains in place within all Monadnock schools. All individuals within the schools should continue to adhere to this mandate. Information about COVID-19’s impact on the district, as well as a case tracker, can be found here.

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