Superintendent's Newsletter 1/8/2021


 

Dear Douglas Community, 


Happy New Year to everyone. I have a lot of information to share this week so I do apologize for the length of this message. Thank you for taking the time to read this to the end.


State Of The Schools

I have asked each of the Principals and Ms. Urquhart to present to families a State of the Schools report in early February. This will highlight what we have done to date and where we are going for the remainder of the school year. These presentations will be about one hour in length with the first 30 minutes being the presentation and the last 30 for questions from families. The following are the dates and times and Zoom links will be sent out shortly.

DPS 2/10 @630

DES 2/9 @545
DMS 2/8 @ 630
DHS 2/11 TBD

OSSS 2/8 @ 630


COVID Data

Attached is a link to our COVID Dashboard. This is updated every week and I have revamped and added some new information from previous weeks. The numbers locally and in the state have fluctuated from last week to this week. Using some data points we saw a decrease in some areas and using other data points we saw an increase. This week I was made aware of 3 new cases; 2 at DES and 1 at DMS. Each of these individuals have not been in school since before vacation and there was no contact tracing that had to occur. I will continue to send out daily letters now that we have been back in school for a week. Link To COVID Dashboard


MCAS

DESE announced this week some substantive changing in the MCAS exam this spring. The test will still be administered this spring but we have been told that one of the biggest reasons for giving the exam will be to provide schools and families with diagnostic data to help schools plan for the fall of 2021. Below are some additional highlights of the changes:


Modify the Competency Determination for the Class of 2021: The make-up MCAS administration window for 12th graders scheduled to open on January 14th will be postponed. I will recommend to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) that the competency determination (CD) requirement be modified in English language arts and mathematics for students in the Class of 2021 who have not yet earned their CD. The recommended modification would allow students to receive their CD by passing an approved course and demonstrating competency in that subject in lieu of a qualifying MCAS score. Seniors who still want to take the tests may take them later this school year. Members of the class of 2021 will have opportunities to receive additional academic support this spring and summer.


Shortened MCAS testing time for Grades 3-8: The Department will significantly reduce testing time for students in grades 3-8 through a session sampling approach, in which each student will take only a portion of each MCAS assessment in each subject. This modified MCAS administration will preserve the validity and reliability of the test at the school, district, and state levels. When combined with other data points, this approach will provide meaningful diagnostic data at the individual student level.


Accountability relief: DESE will not name or recommend to the Board any new underperforming or chronically underperforming districts or schools in the upcoming school year. The Department will also consider any available flexibilities provided by the U.S. Department of Education.


Extending ACCESS testing window: ACCESS testing for English language proficiency is key to strengthening education programs for English learners. As previously announced, the Department is extending the testing window for ACCESS, which normally concludes in February, until May 20, 2021.


MCAS Biology test: The Department has provided school districts flexibility on scheduling the high school biology MCAS test. Schools may offer the biology MCAS to first-time 9th graders in June, instead of or in addition to offering it in February.


Student Learning Time

At the December 15 meeting of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Board adopted additional amendments to the Student Learning Time (SLT) regulations, 603 CMR 27.00, on an emergency basis. The amendments (download) establish minimum levels for live instruction and synchronous instruction that districts operating hybrid and remote learning models must provide. The amendments include the following standards, effective January 19, 2021:

Districts and schools operating a hybrid learning model must provide students with access to at least 35 hours of “live instruction” over a 10-school day period, averaged across the grades in the hybrid model (excluding pre-kindergarten and kindergarten). Live instruction means the combination of in-person and remote synchronous instruction.

Students must have an opportunity to interact with educators each school day, including a required daily “live” check-in between students and educators.

Districts and schools operating a remote learning model must provide students with access to synchronous instruction each school day; and

Districts and schools operating a remote learning model must provide students with access to at least 40 hours of synchronous instruction over a 10-school day period, averaged across the grades in the remote model (excluding pre-kindergarten and kindergarten).

Synchronous learning, also referred to as synchronous instruction, is defined in the regulations as “learning that is directed by a teacher and that happens in real time with other students, such as during live, whole-class instruction, and small group work.” Below are a few examples of what does and does not count:

Counts as synchronous instruction:

-Live online classes that the teacher leads for the whole class, which may include breakout rooms for students to complete tasks and activities with access to the teacher.  

-Livestreaming of in-person instruction accessed by remote students.

-Small group instruction while students are learning remotely. In this model, a teacher is present online

with their class, working with small groups of students in turn while the remaining students engage in independent or small group work. Students should be able to signal to the teacher that they need support.

Does not count as synchronous instruction:

-“Office hours” or other optional check-in opportunities for students to contact or connect with teachers, where not all students are required to be present.

As a reminder, regulations are legally binding. Any district that does not comply with the regulations or receive a waiver by January 19, 2021 will be required to make up any structured learning time missed due to non-compliance by the end of the school year. 

Safety Reminders

Everyone has been great following our safety protocols. We can not get complacent with these. I share these as a reminder for all.

  1. Avoid large social gatherings

  2. Wear a mask

  3. Practice social distancing

  4. Wash your hands frequently

  5. Follow the guidance set forth by the Governor

  6. If the Board of Health calls, please answer and provide them with the information they need

  7. If you are sick, stay home

  8. If you live with someone that is symptomatic, stay home until they test negative


guidance for families (Updated 12/18/2020)


Mr Coyne, our 8th grade Social Studies Teacher, and his students made national news this week when the Washington Post highlighted his class discussion this week. It is great to see Douglas, MA in the national news for promoting high level conversations and dialogue with students. Here is a link to the article




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