District Updates: September 2, 2020
In two weeks, our staff and students will be ready to start the 2020-2021 school year! Without question, we have taken a very long, difficult, and unusual path to get to this point. Despite all of our planning, there will be unanticipated challenges, changes, and opportunities as we move forward together. We will continue to communicate regularly, and we want to share information with you about our preparations during this two week period as we get ourselves and our buildings prepared for student arrival.
Latest Updates
COVID-19 Testing
Great news! Yesterday, over 440 staff members representing all of the adults who interact with our students – and with each other – were tested for COVID-19. This group also included the staff from South Shore Technical High School. I am very happy and relieved to report that we had zero positive tests reported. For another layer of safety, we will have another round of testing on September 14th to ensure the adults are all healthy before returning to school with our students.
None of this would be possible without the incredible effort of the Hanover Fire Department, VNA, Health Department, our school nursing staff, our administrative assistants, food services, HMS administration, and countless others who planned and executed an exceptional process. The collaboration, innovation, and commitment from the HFD in partnership with HPS Health Services Director, Tricia Smith and our nurses should be a model for our state and our nation. Hanover is leading the way in our public health response to COVID-19, and we are very fortunate to have these exceptional professionals working to support us. We will continue to partner with HFD as the school year starts to evaluate and explore future testing options.
Training
Our teachers and staff have several training sessions scheduled between now and September 16th. Our staff is receiving extensive training on COVID-19 related health and safety protocols, Google Classroom best practices, remote teaching/learning strategies, Zoom features, social-emotional supports for students and staff, curriculum planning, and many other areas of professional learning and growth. We are taking the steps necessary to keep everyone healthy and to strengthen and support remote learning at all levels.
Schedules, Cohorts, and Student Visits
Administrators and staff at all levels are working to finalize student schedules (including Virtual Academy and special education services). They are also planning student visits and orientation (both virtual and in-person). Building principals will be in communication in the next few days with timelines and updates on next steps. If you have questions after receiving the next building level updates, please connect with your child’s principal.
Updated School Calendar
We have updated our district school year calendar. There will not be any early release days for the foreseeable future: View District Calendar
Snow Days
Yes, snow days. I have received several questions about whether or not snow days will still exist if we are in a hybrid or remote learning model when winter rolls around. We were told today that DESE will be providing direction on that issue shortly. As soon as we receive that direction, I will include that information in a future update. I miss the days when ice, snow, and power outages were the biggest source of stress. They seem like a minor inconvenience right now…
As always, thank you for your patience and support.
Sincerely,
Matt Ferron
Superintendent of Schools