Dear NPS families,
For the past two weeks, we have been working closely with the Newton Department of Health and Human Services to reduce the community spread of COVID-19. We have received many emails from concerned families and understand that this is a stressful and unsettling time.
Given the rising number of COVID-19 cases in our region, coupled with new guidance from the Governor, the state, infectious disease experts, and our local health partners, we have made the difficult decision to close the Newton Public Schools beginning tomorrow, Friday, March 13. There will be no school tomorrow, next week and possibly for a longer period.
The decision to close schools is an attempt to slow the spread of the virus. It will only be effective if the community also takes steps to practice self-isolation, monitor for any symptoms, and avoid large gatherings. We need all community members to do their part or the school closure will not be successful in limiting the spread of the virus.
We know the cancellation of school, its associated activities, and events that use our school buildings is disappointing and extremely disruptive to our daily lives. However, we believe we must do so for the health and well-being of our community.
We expect to provide an update to you next week as we further assess the situation. We also know you will have questions regarding learning opportunities for your children while school is closed and we will have more information on this subject late next week.
This is a unique public health situation that is rapidly changing. Our hope is that if we all work together, we can reduce the spread of this virus, protect residents, especially those most vulnerable, and resume normal activities as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
David Fleishman Superintendent
David Fleishman Superintendent of Schools
How many students and families are in need/hardship, and how do we as a community support them?
Great job by the Mayor and Superintendent making the right call at the right time. Other serious measures will be needed to protect public health. Our daily lives will be interrupted for the foreseeable future. We all need to follow the guidance of the experts and elected leaders. Let’s follow their instructions and things will eventually return to normal.
@Nathan: I hope the City is working to identify those students in need and are partnering with non-profits and other volunteer organizations to provide the assistance they may need. I’m certainly willing to volunteer and help anyway I can.
@Nathan – Will help. Let me know.
@Mike – The right time was at least a week ago, but we’ll take it
The first three comments here right out of the box confirm both my opinion of the individuals who posted and their reflection on their community as a whole. They make me feel proud.
One of my Roles in the Referendum against Northland was to create walk lists for canvassers. I wanted to make them as easy as possible for people to plan their routes, and also help them select which routes they could do. So I created 500 reasonably small walk lists. For each walk list I created a pdf with a visual map, and the addresses. I also overlaid the boundaries of each walk list onto google maps and created different colors to indicate which ones were available, had those that had been allocated.
I had many frustrations on the way, but I got it working. I have offered to assist the city in modifying the algorithm to highlight those at risk, create various groups which we could then allocate people to help. I hope to hear back soon.
I know various groups are starting to show up offering to help neighbors, but I feel it would be better if we could get some central co-ordination via the city.
I’m just glad they finally made this conscientious but difficult decision.
I hope they are coordinating with groups who can manage deliveries for students who rely on the schools meals and whatever materials the students need to keep up their school work.
Managing school work is made more difficult in school systems, such as Newton, who don’t have one-one chrome books that the kids bring home (or some other brand).
The below is from Hilary Bialek In Lower Falls
Thanks for posting Hilary’s email Marti! I just signed up.