In Portsmouth, we are doing the best we can to keep up with our current cases but, other than following guidance, districts are now making all COVID-19-related decisions with little to no direction from RIDOH.”

Thomas Kenworthy, Portsmouth superintendent of schools

PORTSMOUTH — Responding to concerns over staffing and procedural changes with state health officials, Superintendent Thomas Kenworthy announced today that all public schools will shift to full distance learning from Monday, Dec. 21, to Friday, Jan. 8, 2021. 

“This three-week period around the holiday break will incorporate eight school days. We plan to return to our current learning model (full in-person learning PK-6 and hybrid 7-12) on Monday, Jan. 11,” Mr. Kenworthy stated in an e-mail sent out to the school community Friday afternoon.

RELATED: Raimondo’s remark on superintendents draws ire of East Providence’s Crowley.

Mr. Kenworthy said the district is starting this “pause” on Dec. 21 to give families and staff time to plan for the shift. He asked that any member of the school community who, against the advice of the R.I. Department of Health (RIDOH) travels or gathers with individuals outside of their household for the holidays, complete a full 10-day isolation period before returning in-person to school.

The superintendent said that fortunately, the number of COVID-19 cases in the district, and in both Portsmouth and Little Compton  — the latter community sends students to Portsmouth High School — remains relatively low. However, he said, Rhode Island is in the midst of a major surge. 

“On Thursday, Gov. Raimondo extended the statewide ‘pause’ for one more week,” Mr. Kenworthy said. “Many districts throughout our state have made the decision to move to full virtual learning in response to rising case numbers and in anticipation of the upcoming holiday break. While I have not recommended any changes for our district up to now, two main issues have me concerned about our ability to sustain our current learning models if I do not take action in Portsmouth.” 

One regards staffing.

“Our staff has done a tremendous job of helping us to preserve in-person learning up to this point for those families who have wanted that option,” he said. “Our staff wants to be here with our students. But many of our staff live in communities outside of Portsmouth, some in areas where the transmission rates are high. 

“While we have been able to manage the staffing issues related to our own district cases so far, each day the number of staff who are connected to COVID-19 situations outside of our district (close contact exposure from household members, school or child care closures, or cold or flu-like symptoms that necessitate a COVID test) continues to grow. We are reaching a point where it is difficult for our schools to adequately meet our staffing needs in order to support in-person learning and we would not be able to manage this if faced with an increase in our own district cases.”

The other issue is the change in procedures with RIDOH.

“While RIDOH remains the lead agency in our state’s efforts regarding COVID-19, they are currently overwhelmed by the number of cases in our state,” said the superintendent. “Over the past few weeks you may have seen reports that RIDOH has asked districts to take more of an active role with cases and close contact investigations. 

“I am not sure if there is a full understanding of the scope of this change in procedures. In Portsmouth, we are doing the best we can to keep up with our current cases but, other than following guidance, districts are now making all COVID-19-related decisions with little to no direction from RIDOH. We simply would not have the capacity to do this if we were to experience an increase in our own district cases at the rates other communities around our state are currently experiencing.”

Please support your local news coverage

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the local economy - and many of the advertisers who support our work - to a near standstill. During this unprecedented challenge, we continue to make our coronavirus coverage free to everyone at eastbayri.com - we believe it is our mission is to deliver vital information to our communities. If you believe local news is essential, especially during this crisis, please consider a tax-deductible donation. 

Donate Here

Thank you for your support!

Matt Hayes, Portsmouth Times Publisher