School superintentant David Fleishman sent the following email to parents this evening, outlining the school departments plans in the coming weeks.
Dear NPS Community,
I hope you are staying healthy and well. I am writing to give you an update on what you can expect from the Newton Public Schools in both the short and longer-term.
First, I would like to begin by saying that all of us here in the Newton Public Schools understand how worried you are about the impact this out of school time will have on your children from both an academic and social emotional perspective. Our educators share that concern and are working very hard to identify the best ways to keep your student engaged and connected to school. By now, most of you have heard from your students’ teachers and everyone will have heard by early this week. We hope that this connection provides reassurance and an important bridge back to the school community.
Short-term (through April 3rd)
Given the uncertainty of the public health situation and the significance of what we are attempting to do from an educational perspective, we are engaged in a multi-step process that is guided by the projected closure dates.
In the short-term our collective goal is two-fold:
- Students will have opportunities to practice and reinforce what has been learned and establish new routines of learning in a virtual environment.
- Provide students a sense of community and connection to their teachers, counselors, and other support staff.
Over the past week, our educators have worked tirelessly to achieve these two goals. Much of this work has been done in virtual teams and our principals report that they are excited about the creativity, thoughtfulness and passion of our teachers during a time of significant disruption.
Over the next two weeks, our educators will connect with students directly to provide guidance on lessons and activities. This will take the form of regularly scheduled check-in and connection with students using technology-based tools.
Long-term
Given the evolving and rapidly changing public health crisis, we must be prepared that the school closure may extend beyond April 3rd. It is our responsibility as a district to prepare for this possibility and what it will mean for learning. As a result, beginning tomorrow, I am convening planning teams at each of our three levels to plan for what learning looks like should we be closed beyond April 3rd. Each of these teams will be charged with addressing three central questions:
- Given that remote learning is our only vehicle for teaching, what should our guidelines be for introducing new learning?
- How do we best ensure that all students have access to new learning?
- How will we assess what students have learned?
I will be sure to keep you updated as our faculty, staff, and administrators answer these questions and as we strive to meet the needs of every student to the greatest extent possible.
Reminders
- Technology – Over the past week, our technology team has worked to identify and provide devices to students who need one in order to access online resources and technology-based tools. If you need a device for your student, please complete this form by the end of the day on Monday, March 23rd. We have already received a significant number of requests and have limited capacity.
- Grab ‘n Go Food Service – Breakfast and lunch meal service is provided from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. every day at both North and South high schools.
- NPS COVID-19 website – Please be sure to visit our website, which is updated regularly: www.newton.k12.ma.us/covid19
Social Distancing
Please remember that social distancing is critical to slowing the spread of the virus. The Newton Health and Human Services Department urges residents to stay home as much as possible, avoid crowds and social gatherings, and maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from others. We urge families to eliminate their childrens’ play dates and in-person social interactions and to consider other ways that they can have appropriate and healthy connections with their peers.
While this crisis has given us opportunities to find new ways to engage students and to test ideas for learning in different environments, this is not easy. Like all of you, our educators are balancing personal and work challenges like they have never had to do before. However, I can assure you that they are working very hard and are committed to ensuring that our students are supported academically and emotionally while school is closed. We will continue to keep you updated as we move forward.
Sincerely,
David Fleishman
Superintendent of Schools
I mentioned on an earlier thread my possible concerns about how the School Dept was responding to the crisis. I’m heartened by tonight’s email that the Newton Schools are indeed actively responding and scrambling, like the rest of us, to continue fulfilling their mission. That’s very reassuring to see. Thank you.
Shame on Newton parents. So many kids playing basketball at Newton South and Countryside; and baseball players on the South ball field. Grow up. Stop being so selfish. Arrogant, entitled people. Do your part. I would welcome a formal shut in just so the police could fine these families.
I have no doubt that the school folks are working hard on this and doing the best they can. It is a complicated set of issues, and it’s hard to juggle so many balls at once. Many thanks to the administrators, teachers, and others!
I’m trying to imagine what course this disease would have to take that would result in a re-opening of the schools after April 3. I’m not at all an epidemiologist, but I’m guessing we’d have to see a noticeable downturn in new cases, an increase in generalized testing of the populations, and such other factors. While MA seems to be doing a bit better on the impact of social distancing than some other jurisdictions, I’m not sure that we’ll have seen a significant bend in the curve by next week. And even if we do, will we have enough confidence that it is sustainable to change course? There are probably many unsettled opinions on this front. It’s good that David Fleishman and the NPS team are thinking about how to handle all their issues in the longer term.
My reaction was also positive. It looks like NPS is seriously considering the possibility of delivering online content to all kids. Maybe I am trying to read good news between the lines. We will learn more.
As things stand with my kids, some teachers have put lectures online (thank you!) and some have not.
China waited for 35 days without infections. That’s not happening before September.
https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/chinas-xinjiang-reopens-all-elementary-high-schools-as-epidemic-wanes/ar-BB11zorB
We will see some flattening in curve as testing catches up with reality, but we’re just beginning the hard work of truely flattening it.
I agree with Jeffrey, this is good news.
I was also thrilled and relieved to see that the US Dept. of Education issued guidance on Saturday on the right of students with disabilities to receive a free and appropriate education (FAPE) during this crisis and addressing “a serious misunderstanding that has recently circulated within the educational community.” DOE notes that some educators “have been reluctant to provide any distance instruction because they believe that federal disability law presents insurmountable barriers to remote education. This is simply not true”
The fact sheet goes on to state, in bold: “To be clear: ensuring compliance with the [IDEA, Section 504, and the ADA] should not prevent any school from offering educational programs through distance instruction.”
You can view the whole document here:
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/frontpage/faq/rr/policyguidance/Supple%20Fact%20Sheet%203.21.20%20FINAL.pdf
Agree that this step needed to taken. Thanks Kathy for the update on districts being made to also comply with the IDEA, Section 504 and the ADA. It’s too bad that it’s always a fight to make sure these kids and adults are getting what they need.