On Dec. 2, headmaster Dr. Morris sent  an email to the PA community updating  COVID-19 related information. 

“The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has informed Pembroke Academy that the school has been identified as having a cluster of COVID-19,” wrote Dr. Morris.

DHHS, the largest agency in New Hampshire, is responsible for maintaining the safety, health and well-being of its citizens.

According to the  Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a cluster is identified as three  or more confirmed cases that are all part of a related group.. 

“PA did have more than three cases prior to this designation, but the term cluster is now used because of the interconnected nature,” said Dr. Morris. 

Additionally, PA faces difficulty staffing the building as more faculty and staff are forced to quarantine.

“It is important that we stay remote  for this chunk of time as we navigate the holiday season and what is predicted to be a winter full of virus spikes,“ said school counselor Ms. Landry. “Staying in the building amid our own cluster of climbing numbers, even in the hybrid model, would be simply irresponsible.”

Amongst our community, students are actively transitioning into the remote model and the uncertainty of it all can be overwhelming.

“I am hoping that if the cases in our town are still high when considering going back to school that the school board makes a smart decision to keep all of us safe,” said senior Haley Leblanc.

The administration will continue to update the PA community on any related information on COVID-19.