Good evening,
Last evening I shared the update that schools would be closed until at least May 4th. Tonight I want to share with you the work that is being done to prepare to move into Remote Learning.
Our district is working tirelessly to create a remote learning plan in light of new guidance from the Governor, as well as the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Beginning April 6, the district will roll out a remote learning plan where students will be required to complete work. Administrators and teachers are collaborating to draft this plan and we will be sharing with all families on Wednesday, April 1. Given that requirements for the plan were not made public until yesterday, March 25, we have had significant progress.
Thursday, March 26
- Dr. Katie Novak, as the lead author of the remote learning plan, used the state guidance, feedback from the remote learning survey (900+ respondents), remote learning plans of local districts, the K-8 virtual learning web site (designed by Kelly True, Karen Gartland, and Allison Sancinito), the HS supplemental web site, and the middle school draft remote learning plan to draft an initial remote learning plan.
- This plan was shared with all administrators and union leadership for initial feedback at 10am and shared with all staff at 12pm.
Friday, March 27
- By 12pm, after reviewing the feedback of our staff, we will share an updated version of the plan by 12pm and will offer a session Zoom to offer additional feedback. Staff will have until Sunday at 10pm to share feedback and suggestions for revisions.
Monday, March 30 – Tuesday, March 31
- The final plan will be shared with the union executive board for final approval by 12pm and the union will have a remote vote for an MOU to support this work.
- Once an agreement has been reached, we will copy edit the document or make any changes, as necessary.
- The final plan will be shared with all staff by 3pm.
Wednesday, April 1
- I will send out the final plan to our community at 5pm.
Also attached you will find the remote learning guidelines provided yesterday by the Department of Education. I am sure that there will be many questions in the days ahead. We have expanded our Zoom account so that the next school committee meeting on April 1st will be available to be viewed live by any parent who would like to watch the meeting on Zoom. There will be some opportunity for community members to send in questions prior to the meeting that we will answer at the school committee meeting.
Have a good evening.
Laura Chesson