Update from Dr. DiLeo 05192020
Greetings Ware Learning Community! This communication comes to you as we begin our 11th week of school closure. Yesterday Governor Baker transitioned from the Stay at Home order to the Safer at Home advisory that encourages individuals to stay home unless they need to do essential errands or venturing out to a newly open facility or activity.
Governor Baker has implemented a 4 phased approach in the transition to a “New Normal” that has public health data indicating when we can move from phase to phase. As long as there are no vaccines or treatments for this virus, there are a number of things we must do to protect ourselves from it. These measures will be the new normal going forward until that time there is a medical breakthrough of this disease. We must all do our part in combating this virus and to reiterate the Governor’s message from yesterday, these are the measures we must practice to keep ourselves healthy which are:
- Wear a Mask if physical distancing is not possible
- Wash your hands and surfaces often
- Keep your distance from others
- Stay vigilant for symptoms and when you are not feeling well stay home
During yesterday’s news conference, there was no mention of the anticipated opening of schools, so we continue to wait to hear what the Governor’s thinking on reopening of schools hopefully in the near future.
As in the past, I will continue to keep you informed of all pertinent information regarding school issues. Kindergarten and Pre-K registration can now be completed online. The online registration is presently posted to the district and SMK website. For those students who need to pick up personal items left in their desk and/or locker can find a pick-up schedule posted to the district website.
During my last communication, I announced that the Junior/Senior Prom was rescheduled to August 7th; however, I need to correct this date as it has been rescheduled to August 17th. Sorry for any confusion I may have caused. Another rescheduled event for seniors is Graduation, which is now scheduled for July 11th at 10:00 am. Details will follow shortly as we will need to work within the safety guidelines of the state in planning any event.
We all look forward to students returning to school. Until the time we can come back together the District Leadership Team is working on a plan as to what assessments will need to occur for all students in identifying any academic gaps students may have due to the loss of direct instruction during this time of remote learning. The plan will include how we will address these gaps as we work to catch students up on skills and content lost during this time. In addition to the academic piece, we are also working on what a possible re-entry might look like as we begin to think about navigating this “new normal”.
It has been a long 10 weeks and counting and isolation at times takes a toll on people. To assure that students’ social emotional needs are being addressed during this time we will be posting to the website an email address and phone number that will connect you to one of our adjustment counselors or school Psychologists. These specialists are here to help in any social emotional issues that students may be experiencing, so please reach out to them if needed. This information will be posted within the next couple of days so be on the lookout for it.
As we continue to move down this road of reopening to the new normal, I will be keeping you updated to any information that comes my way. Hopefully in the near future we will learn something about when we can expect schools to reopen.
So, until that time please listen to the Safer at Home advisory of the Governor:
- Wear a Mask if physical distancing is not possible
- Wash your hands and surfaces often
- Keep your distance from others
- Stay vigilant for symptoms and when you are not feeling well stay home
I want to remind everyone there will be no remote learning or Grab & Go breakfast/lunch for Monday, May 25, which is Memorial Day. Please take the time to remember those who lost their lives in the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Stay healthy and safe during this time. Have a good day!