Hanover Public Schools Update and Next Steps 3/29/20
As we conclude the second week of our lives in quarantine, I want to extend our deepest thanks for your understanding and support as we move into the next phase of home learning. Now that we know our time away from each other is extended into May (and perhaps beyond), it is time to move ahead with strategies to strengthen our programming, increase teacher led instruction, and move our students forward.
DESE has released its recommendations and requirements to school districts for home learning, and our teachers and staff are shifting from our current enrichment model to a more structured and teacher led learning environment that is supported at home. By the end of this week, you will receive more specific information from your child’s principal and teachers about this transition including time on learning, feedback and assessment, communication expectations, and learning platforms (technology, print, video, etc.). We will also be sharing information on the expectations in each subject area for our older students, and at grade level for our younger students. Special education teachers and administrators will be reaching out to students and families to plan for services and support. We will be fully operational in this new structure on Monday, April 6th.
We are deeply grateful for all of the messages of support to our teachers and staff members over the past few weeks. We also want to express our appreciation and respect for all of you who are working in health care, public safety, and in all of the businesses and organizations functioning to keeping us safe and comfortable at home. Your selflessness and courage means everything. Thank you also to the family members and friends who support these heroes – your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed.
Moving forward in a crisis is hard. There are countless difficult educational and operational decisions to be made every day to successfully, and urgently, create meaningful learning experiences in a highly regulated environment that shifts directions daily. After all is said and done, our success will ultimately be determined by the caring relationships between our teachers and staff with our students and families. These connections will move learning forward, support our students emotionally and socially, and prepare them for the years ahead. They will lead us through this, and we will be there to support them.
We have had some hard days this year, and many have been completely overwhelming. HHS Music/Theater teachers, Matt Harden, Michael Wade, and Collin Fahey were gracious enough to share their talents to lift our spirits via virtual musical collaboration. Click, and I think you will understand: Let it Be. We are very grateful for their inspiration and thoughtfulness. Enjoy.
Please stay healthy both physically and mentally. There is much more to follow in the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Matt Ferron
Superintendent of Schools