Disclosure: Waylandenews Executive Director Kim Reichelt is a member of the Wayland School Committee. Her work on this site, however, is as an individual, not as a member of the School Committee.
Non-Profit Spotlight:
Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable
Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization of men and women incorporated in 1999. The goal of the Roundtable is to raise awareness about the issue of domestic violence through community education and networking and to improve the coordination between public and private services for victims and families touched by domestic violence.
On the web here
|
 To: All Residents
From: Town Administrator and Health Director Date: March 27, 2020 at 3:00 pm
Re: Town Services for Residents’ Needs
While we all work to follow the Governor’s stay in place order and as the days progress, the Town recognizes that many of our residents may find that they need additional support or services. Please take time to read through the entire list.
Support services in place:
Health: The Health Department Coronavirus Hotline at 508-358-6805 is for those experiencing symptoms, concerns about exposure and seeking information specific to the COVID-19 virus. The phone is being staffed and messages are returned promptly.
Private Business Food Deliveries: The Health Department is visiting each restaurant and grocery store in Wayland on a daily basis to ensure each business continues to follow proper protocols for take-out and delivery services. This applies to brick and mortar businesses in Wayland.
Town: The Town will also provide general help for residents who may need assistance obtaining basic and important life necessities, such as food or medications, by calling 508- 358-7701. This phone is also being staffed and messages are returned promptly.
Council on Aging (CoA): CoA staff have been in touch with their senior population on a regular and often daily basis through phone calls, emails, and robo calls. If you would like to be added to the CoA’s list for a friendly check in or other services, please call the CoA at 508-358-2990.
The Meals on Wheels program will continue next week and, at this time, will be conducted by BayPath Elder Services instead of Wayland volunteers.
Youth and Family Services: The staff of Youth and Family Services are available for phone counseling and outreach services to its existing clients. If you are seeking immediate mental health services, please call Psychiatric Emergency Services, in Framingham, at (800) 640-5432. For emotional support, call the state’s 211 to access “call to talk”.
Food Pantries: The Town Administrator’s Office, the CoA and the Health Department are working with the three known food pantries in Wayland: Parmenter Food Pantry, Celebration International Church and Trinitarian Congregational Church. The Health Department has reviewed safe delivery protocols with each group. The Town is working closely with the Celebration International Church and its affiliation with The Greater Boston Food Bank to provide food to Wayland residents.
Volunteers: The Town has become aware of residents asking in what way they can help their neighbors. The Town has established a list of residents who would like to volunteer in some way. To add your name to the volunteer list, please email the Town at COVIDvolunteer@wayland.ma.us. We will be in touch with every person indicating a desire to volunteer to get additional information about skills that may be needed in the future. At this time, because of the stay in place order and CDC guidelines, most of the volunteer opportunities will be friendly phone calls to neighbors.
*********
We continue to urge all residents to evaluate their own health and determine if they are feeling mildly ill with a head cold, headache, cough and/or experiencing any CDC identified symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you are feeling any symptoms, we advise you to contact the Wayland Health Department at the Coronavirus Hotline 508-358-6805 and your primary care physician for guidance. If you or anyone in your family has any symptoms of being ill, we advise you to stay quarantined at home until you are feeling better and follow up with your primary care physician as needed.
The Town will also provide general help for residents who may need assistance obtaining basic and important life necessities, such as food or medications, by calling 508-358-7701.
To receive Town of Wayland Urgent Alerts including all postings related to the Town’s COVID-19 response:
- Go to the Town of Wayland webpage (www.wayland.ma.us) and click on the “Subscribe to Alerts” button on the bottom right (or the direct link to the subscription page is online here)
- Enter your email address and click to check the first open box on the form (under Urgent Alert, choose Town Alerts).
- Scroll to the bottom of the form.
- Complete the “I am not a robot” section by checking the box
- Click the Subscribe Me button at the bottom of the page
If you have any trouble signing up, please email Cherry Karlson at ckarlson@wayland.ma.us and ask to be added to the list.
 Stay at home #flattenthecurve
We at WaylandeNews urge everyone to stay home to the greatest extent possible. This pandemic is unprecedented in our lifetimes, and it is hard to grasp the magnitude of what we are facing. Having read what the experts say both abroad and in the US, and understanding the experience of countries who both managed to contain the spread, and those that have not, we believe we need to react with great urgency.
The greatest danger with COVID-19 is that we overwhelm our healthcare resources. You may have seen the hashtag #flattenthecurve. To “Flatten the curve” means to delay and spread out the onset of cases over time, so that even if we can’t stop the infection from spreading, we can keep it from overwhelming the health care system at any given moment. With Italy just a couple of weeks ahead of us in this pandemic, we can see what our future holds if we don’t take aggressive measures now. Hospitals in Italy are having to choose between patients who need ventilators, and patients are dying because they are not getting care. You have doubtless read that 20% of COVID-19 patients require hospitalization. If healthcare facilities are inadequate, the fatality rate will skyrocket. Further, health outcomes for patients with other conditions will also be impacted.
Why coronavirus is so challenging to contain:
This means that anybody you encounter might be carrying the virus even though they think that they are healthy.
Even if you and your family are low-risk, higher circulation of this virus in the community greatly endangers those at higher risk, particularly those who are older, and those who have health conditions. It is critical for the community at large that we all band together and protect each other. We must immediately practice social distancing. Here is an article with practical tips: Social Distancing: This is Not a Snow Day. This article demonstrates why/how it works in practice.
Limit your trips out to what you need from the grocery store and pharmacy. When you do go, wash your hands before and after your trip (and check out this primer on hand washing; many of us don’t know how to really do it properly. Also, don’t forget to moisturize! And consider clipping your fingernails short to make it easier to clean under them). Keep your distance from everyone else as much as possible. Try not to touch your face. Go for walks outside with your family, but avoid interactions with others. At this point, we are sure you’ve heard it all – the key is to actually do it.
For additional information from the Wayland Schools and Health Department on how to protect yourself, see these guidelines which went out to families yesterday. All Town press releases on COVID-19 are online here.
Knowledge of the virus and data on the number of infections is changing rapidly, so make sure you keep up on the latest information (but stick with reputable sources – there’s no shortage of misinformation out there).
We are all in this together. Stay home to keep our community as safe as possible.
WaylandeNews
Ian Hecker and Larry Krakauer, Editorial Board
Kim Reichelt, Executive Director and Webmaster (as an individual, and not as a member of the Wayland School Committee)
We will do our best to keep our calendar up to date. General guidance would be to assume that pretty much anything you might be going to has been cancelled, so please check with the host of any listed event before attending. Even if it is running, seriously consider not going to any gathering you’ve planned if at all possible.
 In response to the Governor’s State of Emergency declaration and recommendation that non- essential gatherings be canceled, we have canceled all library programs and closed our public meeting room at least through March 31, 2020. For further information, please visit our website at waylandlibrary.org.
If you’re staying home, you can also use that website to get to our wide array of digital resources, including books, audio books, music, streaming movies and television, and digital access to newspapers and magazines. If you don’t have a library card, just follow the links under the Services menu and sign up for a digital card. If you have any questions, feel free to email us at info@waylandlibrary.org. The library is here for you. Thanks for helping to keep Wayland healthy.
The following was sent to the school community on March 12
Dear Wayland Families and Staff,
Earlier today, we received news that a Claypit Hill parent had contact with someone who has now tested presumptive positive for COVID-19. At this time, both the Claypit Hill parent and her child are symptomatic. We dismissed students at Claypit Hill at 1:00 p.m. to limit the possible exposure of students and staff.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has communicated that the best way to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 is to limit group gatherings and minimize direct contact. Therefore, after consultation with Town and State officials, I have decided that all Wayland Schools will be closed beginning tomorrow, Friday, March 13th through Friday, March 27th, with a planned return to school on Monday, March 30th. All extracurricular activities, including spring sports, will not take place during the school closure.
Why close schools now?
Closing schools limits the possible exposure for students and staff for a time period in excess of the 14-day recommended quarantine period. Our priority is the health and safety of our community. Thus, closing the schools for this extended period reduces the risk of transmission to students, staff and families, especially those who may be high risk. To maximize the effectiveness of the school closure, students should minimize group gatherings.
What will the school closure look like for students and staff?
The Administration is currently working with the Wayland Teachers Association to finalize plans to minimize disruption to learning. Our goal is to begin distance learning with students the middle of next week. The individualized needs of our students, including EL students and those with IEPs and 504s, are a priority in our planning. We appreciate your patience as we work through an unprecedented situation.
What about families with limited access to technology?
Chromebooks, computers and chargers were sent home with students in grades 3-12 today. If your child still needs a computer or computer charger, please call or email Leisha Simon (508.358.3714 – leisha_simon@wayland.k12.ma.us) to arrange a pick up.
Middle and high school students completed an e-learning survey today to identify families who do not have consistent access to Internet connectivity. A telephone survey will be sent to K-5 families tonight to gather that information. We will formulate a plan in order to provide those families with technology support.
When will students return to school?
Our plan is to have students and staff return to our campuses on Monday March 30. Given the evolving nature of this pandemic, it may be necessary to extend the current closure. If any extension is necessary, we will communicate proactively with you.
What if I suspect that my child or I may have been exposed to COVID-19?
While schools are closed, you do not need to notify your child’s school of a potential exposure to COVID-19. Instead, the Wayland Health Department has asked residents to call the Wayland Coronavirus Hotline at 508-358-6805. The Town website is being updated regularly and includes useful guidelines and information.
A special thank you to the caring, thoughtful adults who have guided students through the last several days, especially at Claypit Hill today and to my Administrative team, who have played a vital role in this process. Their professionalism and commitment to our students’ well-being are inspiring.
In closing, I appreciate that families, staff and children may be feeling unsettled and anxious at this time. I anticipate that there are additional questions and concerns. I want to assure you that my staff and I are working as quickly as possible to anticipate, respond to and address the impacts of an extended school closure. Please feel free to contact my office with feedback or questions. Please understand that it may take us longer than usual to respond.
All my best,
Arthur Unobskey, Superintendent
 Town Elections are March 31.
- The Town Clerk’s page is online here
- Voting on Election Day:
- Absentee Voting
Annual Town Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 5 at 1pm (and, if needed, Monday, April 6 at 7pm, and Tuesday, April 7 at 7pm).
The Annual Town Meeting warrant, and other ATM information, is online here
|
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites
Sign Up for Weekly Newsletter We send out a weekly newsletter highlighting the latest news, announcements and events. We don't spam you, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up by clicking here or text WaylandeNews to 22828
Daily Email Subscription
Have each day's new posts emailed to you. This is an entirely separate list from the weekly newsletter, so sign up for either or both.
Submit a Post Click here to submit a news item, or announcement.
|
To: All Residents
