What we know about the COVID cases spreading from Pilgrim High homecoming dance
WARWICK — A Nov. 6 homecoming dance at Pilgrim High School has become the center of attention after 45 students who attended the dance tested positive for COVID-19 and principal Gerald Habershaw died from what his brother says were complications from COVID.
The high school was in remote learning for two weeks in the middle of November following the COVID-19 outbreak tied to the dance. School returned to session on Monday, Nov. 29.
Before his death, when Habershaw's employment status was unknown, the community tried to support him by setting up a petition on Change.org and a rally. The rally has been turned into a vigil at 1 p.m. Monday.
How many students have tested positive for COVID-19?
On Sunday, Nov. 28, a state Health Department spokesman said 59 Pilgrim High School students and another six school staff members had tested positive for COVID-19 this month.
At least 45 of those people attended the homecoming dance, the spokesman said.
The school has 1,176 students, according to the Rhode Island Department of Education.
When was the COVID outbreak first determined
On Sunday, Nov. 14, the School Department said Pilgrim would be remote only starting the next day due to an increased number of COVID-19 cases.
"This is a serious situation that needs cooperation from the entire Pilgrim community," Supt. Lynn Dambruch and Assistant Supt. Bill McCaffrey said in an email to parents that day. "[The Rhode Island Department of Health] recommends limiting contact with others and monitoring for symptoms."
The Health Department offered coronavirus tests to all students and staff on Nov. 17.
Were people wearing masks at the homecoming dance?
A video from the dance showed high school principal Gerald Habershaw and a large percentage of students in attendance without masks.
Warwick School Committee Chairwoman Judith L. Cobden said the dance was held in a tent outdoors, but said videos show that the tent had walls, which raised questions about appropriate ventilation.
On Tuesday, Nov. 23, Supt. Lynn Dambruch sent the following email to parents:
"We are aware that students, parents and staff have questions related to recent events at Pilgrim High School. As many of you are aware, video footage related to the recent Homecoming Dance was seen on both the local media and Instagram social media. This footage appears to show potential violations of RIDOH and RIDE guidance, as well as the Governor’s Executive Order(s) and School Committee policy and therefore it is currently being investigated. Pilgrim has been closed and utilizing virtual instruction for seven (7) days now due to a Covid outbreak. Due to the nature of the investigation we cannot provide any additional information at this time. Thank you."
Earlier Coverage of COVID outbreak: Pilgrim High principal maskless in homecoming dance video. Now there is an acting principal
Who is required to wear masks in Rhode Island?
Students and staff are required to wear masks in all school district buildings in Rhode Island.
Warwick School Committee Chairwoman Judith L. Cobden said the dance was held in a tent outdoors, but said videos show that the tent has walls, which raises questions about appropriate ventilation.
Students were asked to get a COVID test prior to the dance and to show proof of vaccination if they had been vaccinated, the School Department said.
Who was Pilgrim High principal Gerald Habershaw?
Habershaw, 57, who had been fully vaccinated, died Saturday of complications from COVID, said his younger brother David Habershaw.
Habershaw served as principal of Warwick Veterans Memorial High School from 2005 to 2016, then moved to Pilgrim High School when the city's high schools were consolidated.
Mourning Gerald Habershaw: Pilgrim High School principal Habershaw died of COVID complications, says his brother
He was named "Administrator of the Year" by the Rhode Island Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association in 2010, and inducted into Bishop Hendricken High School's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013. He was a 1983 graduate of Bishop Hendricken.
In his "Principal's Message" on the school's website he writes:
"To the students, I preach my seven keys to be successful in school:
Follow all school rules
Be respectful
Complete all classwork and homework assignments to the best of one’s ability
Prepare for test and quizzes
Attend school and be on time on a daily basis
Be prepared for class (pen, pencil, book, notebook, charged Chromebook, and agenda)
Seek help when having difficulty.
With these seven keys, I guarantee student success in school."
Gerry is survived by his wife, Beth, his two daughters Zoe and Tessa and his sons Jared and Christian, according to a GoFundMe set up for the family.
What was Gerald Habershaw's employment status
Habershaw's employment status came into question just before Thanksgiving when an acting principal was appointed.
The school district refused to comment on his status or why Assistant Principal Pamela Bernardi had been appointed as acting principal.
Tributes to Gerald Habershaw include Change.org petition and GoFundMe
Before his death, when Habershaw's employment status was unknown, the community tried to support him.
Parents and students had started Change.org petitions to return Habershaw to his job and a protest vigil. Since his death was announced this weekend, those protests have turned into vigils.
Erin Ferrazzo, whose son attends Pilgrim, established a "Save Mr. Habershaw's job as Principal!" petition on Change.org. It had collected more than 5,200 signatures by Monday morning.
“Let’s give Habershaw his job back as we stand together and support an amazing teacher, principal and cheerleader for our children,” it says.
A GoFundMe account has been set up for his family by Molly Burke. In part the description reads: The passing of Gerald (Gerry) Habershaw is a major loss to his family, friends, students and community.
"Some family is blood related whereas other family is chosen. Gerry Habershaw was this kind of family member. Anyone that knew Gerry was personally moved and impacted in a great way."
Who is the principal at Pilgrim High now?
In a letter to parents Monday, Nov. 22, the School Department said Pamela Bernardi would be acting principal until further notice. She is an assistant principal.
Bernardi has worked for Warwick Public Schools since 2001. She has served as a teacher, program coordinator, assistant principal and acting principal, most recently assistant principal of climate and culture at Pilgrim.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Pilgrim High COVID cases tied to a homecoming dance, principal's death
