Superintendent's Weekly Update 2/26/2021

 


Hello,

It has been a great first week back to school since vacation. I have enjoyed seeing the kids back in school and in classes learning. The return from February break to me always marks the beginning of the push towards the end of the school year. The sun is out in the morning, the days are getting longer, we change the clocks in a few weeks, and the weather begins to change. It was amazing to see the sun on Wednesday and have it be close to 50 out. Good things are on the horizon on all fronts.

As people are aware Governor Baker and Commissioner Riley announced a proposed change in the regulations to bring back all elementary students in April. The Board of Education still needs to vote on the regulatory change in a few weeks and I will need to meet with DTA Leadership to work on details of the return. The vote would eliminate schools being able to offer a fully hybrid or remote option as the main way to educate students. This would pave the way for elementary students to return to school in April; with middle and high school students to follow shortly thereafter. I want to assure families, students, and teachers that whatever is required of us, we will continue to exercise extreme care and caution with our approach to wearing masks, hand washing, sanitizing, creating as much physical distancing as possible, and the continuous cleaning of our facilities. This is needed to continue to maintain the health and safety of everyone.

As I stated over the summer, and we are seeing it play out again now, information is changing daily. We will adapt and pivot accordingly and I will continue to inform you as I get the information. On Wednesday March 3 at 7PM I will present my proposed back to school plan to the School Committee. I will also host a community forum on March 8 at 6:30PM, this presentation will be very similar to the one I present on March 3, but at this forum you will have the opportunity to ask questions and have them answered. Attached is a copy of the Zoom Link for the meeting for March 8.

Topic: Community Forum

Time: Mar 8, 2021 06:30 PM 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://douglasps-net.zoom.us/j/85953453927?pwd=WFk0ME1hcTh5ZGIwUjkrencyMi9FUT09

Meeting ID: 859 5345 3927

Password: 324249

COVID Data

Attached is a link to our COVID Dashboard along with guidance and information for families. Link To COVID Dashboard  guidance for families 

Thank you for your continued support,

Paul


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