March 13, 2020 Update

Good afternoon,

Please see the attached letter from the Merrimack Valley Superintendent's Association. North Reading, along with other member districts, have decided to close all schools through at least March 27, 2020.

I realize that there are many questions and so I ask you patience over the next few days as we finalize the FAQ document that our incredible Administrative Team has been working on all day. This document will hopefully address many of the questions that parents, teachers, and students will have about what those two weeks will look like.

I will say at that this time that North Reading Public Schools will treat these two weeks (March 13th through March 27, 2020) as non-school days that will be paid days for all employees who would have been regularly scheduled to work on those days. Pay will follow the typical weekly and bi-weekly pay schedule that employees are on. If you do not have direct deposit you will have your check mailed to you.

The schools are closed for two weeks and staff, students, and parents should not be coming to the buildings. The FAQs will communicate more very soon about teaching and learning during this period of time.

Thank you all for your support and patience during this time.

Sincerely yours,

Patrick Daly

File attachments:
MVSA School Closure Press Release FINAL VERSION .pdf

Press Release from MASS Superintendent's Association

COVID-19 March 12, 2020 Update

Good afternoon North Reading Public School’s Community,

As previously communicated, at this time there are no known instances of COVID-19 illness present in our schools. However, we have been receiving information this morning about staff members who may have been in close contact with those exposed to COVID-19 as well as students and staff who have recently returned from travel to countries now designated overnight as Level 3.

Out of an abundance of caution, I have made the decision to dismiss North Reading High School students beginning at 12:40 p.m. today and North Reading Middle School Students at 1:00 p.m. today in order to begin a deep cleaning of the schools. Our elementary schools will have already dismissed by this time due to the previously scheduled conferences (which are now cancelled.)

We will remain closed tomorrow, March 13th, at all schools so we can do a second deep cleaning and disinfecting of all buildings. I am in contact with the North Reading Board of Health who continues to work with us and advise us on next steps. Schools and public health officials will be monitoring the ongoing circumstances this weekend and will communicate whether further school closures are necessary for next week. 

Once again, at this time no known COVID-19 illness is present in our schools and this action is out of an abundance of caution.

For students taking bus transportation, buses will be available for them to take home. If there are students who need a ride, school leadership will be available at the school to assist them and make sure they have a way to get home. Please contact your building principal with any questions.

All afternoon and evening activities are cancelled. If you have children in the YMCA after-school programs you are encouraged to please arrange to pick your child up as soon as possible this afternoon so that we can continue to clean the buildings.

We will continue to communicate with you as information becomes available.

Thank you for your support and cooperation as we work together to keep our schools and students safe.

Patrick Daly, Superintendent

March 11, 2020 COVID-19 Update

Good evening,

Please see the attached informational update from the Town Administrator, Michael Gilleberto. As noted, there are no known cases of COVID-19 for staff or students in the North Reading Public Schools.

At this time we will continue to operate our schools and classes as we would typically do with increased focus on handwashing and prevention, as has been previously shared. There will be changes to performances, events, and trips and this will be communicated via our building principals. I will also be providing updates regularly to centrally communicate some of these cancellations/modifications to events. 

Please also understand that there will be some changes, for the time being, to our use of parent volunteers and for parent and community attendance and participation at school events and performances. For those events that we are not cancelling we may restrict attendance from anyone not typically in the schools (educators and students) in order to comply with the recommendations and guidance we are following. We ask that you please respect and adhere to these restrictions in order to provide the safest possible conditions for our students and our school community. Details will again be provided by principals with respect to specific events and performances.

We continue to closely follow recommendations from CDC, the Department of Health, and DESE about school cancellations or closure. At this time we are not considering anything above and beyond the guidance we have received but we are closely monitoring all information as it becomes available.

Our custodial team continues to do a tremendous job at keeping our buildings clean and we are reviewing all processes with Wayne Hardacker, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, at our Administrative Council meeting tomorrow.

If you have any questions or concerns please share them with me or your principal who will then share with our entire Administrative Council. We appreciate your patience and support and everything that you do for our students. 

Patrick

Town of North Reading Update Regarding COVID -19

March 11, 2020 at 4:30 PM

On Wednesday, March 11, 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) notified the Town of North Reading’s Board of Health that a North Reading resident, who attended the recent Biogen conference in Boston, has tested presumptive positive for COVID-19.  The resident was tested for COVID-19 by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Saturday, March 7, 2020. 

At this time, the case investigation has indicated that the resident has been in self-isolation and there is no connection to the North Reading Public Schools.  The resident has contact with a child care facility in another community.  The North Reading Board of Health has notified that community, which will conduct the appropriate investigation and outreach within that community.

The resident is recovering at home, is doing well, and will be monitored and supported by local public health officials.

As of March 11, according to MDPH there are 86 presumptive positive cases of COVID -19 in Massachusetts.  Massachusetts State Public Health Lab results are considered “presumptive positive” and are sent to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for final confirmation.  Six additional cases have been confirmed as of March 11^th.

For more information about COVID – 19 and the Town’s response, please visit the Town website at

https://www.northreadingma.gov/home/news/town-north-reading-coronavirus-covid-%E2%80%93-19-information.

Good evening,

Please see the important message, links, and information below from Town Administrator, Michael Gilleberto with respect to our Town’s unified response to COVID-19.

Additionally, I would like to share how this will impact North Reading Public School District events.

At this time the MIAA is still holding events, including the Girls Basketball Championship games scheduled for Wednesday, March 11th. At this time I will remind everyone of the Governor’s recommendation that is shared by the MIAA:

“The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) is moving forward to conduct the Basketball and Hockey Championship games scheduled on March 10-15. In accordance with the recommendations from Governor Baker to mitigate COVID-19, we encourage participants, spectators, workers and community members to practice good personal hygiene.  We support the recommendation for -those over the age of 60- and those with underlying health issues to stay away from large crowds”.  

Our school administration will continue to monitor this situation closely so please stay tuned for any possible additional communication from Principal Loprete regarding this event.

In concert with the Town of North Reading, all non-essential events and meetings scheduled to be held in the next thirty (30) days are subject to disruption, up to and including cancellation. 

Additionally, as of this afternoon, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has urged districts “to cancel any out-of-state travel that they have planned” and so we will be in communication soon about upcoming travel and trips. 

We understand that all of these decisions will have a number of impacts on the members of our school community. Our administrative team will be reviewing the specifics and clarifying and communicating this information through the principals, directors, and other leaders as the dates for these meetings and events approach.

As you are aware, this situation is fluid and I thank you all for your support and understanding at this time as we act in the best interest and safety for all of our staff and students.

Sincerely yours,

Patrick C. Daly

Superintendent

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Town of North Reading Update Regarding COVID -19

March 10, 2020 at 7:15 PM

Although there are currently no presumptive cases of COVID – 19 in North Reading, Town officials continue to closely follow the guidance issued by the state and federal governments.  This evening, Town officials including Health, Police, Fire, Emergency Management, Schools, Parks and Recreation, Elder Services, Human Resources, Flint Memorial Library, and Administration held a planning and response meeting to discuss the impacts of Governor Baker’s declaration of a State of Emergency as well as next steps for the Town of North Reading

Based on the state’s actions cancelling in-person conferences, seminars and other discretionary gatherings scheduled and hosted by Executive Branch agencies involving external parties, residents should expect disruption to discretionary Town and School-sponsored activities, and to non-Town/School sponsored activities scheduled to be held at Town or School buildings over the next 30 days.  Information regarding specific cancellations or postponements will be issued by the activity’s sponsor or host.  It is important to note that Town government and departments remain in operation.

This is an evolving situation, and we will adjust our response as circumstances require.  As has been the case for the past few weeks, Town Officials will continue to update the community as new information becomes available.  The public’s patience and cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Residents are reminded of the following preventative measures recommended by the state that they should take:

• Wash your hands often
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Clean things that are frequently touched
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
• Stay at home if you are sick
• Older adults and those with health issues are urged to avoid large crowds and events. Individuals who live in households with vulnerable people, like elderly parents, should also consider avoiding crowds.
• Think ahead about how to take care of yourself and loved ones if the virus starts spreading in the community.

For more information regarding COVID-19 as issued from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, please click here: https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

Previous updates from the Town of North Reading may be found below.

Michael P. Gilleberto, Town Administrator

Personalized Learning in Our Schools

What is personalized learning?  How do you introduce this concept in a school district?  What is the relationship between the roll out of our 1:1 Chromebook devices and the concept of personalized learning?  These questions are among the many we are considering in our district this year as we explore this initiative for our students.

The personalized learning advocacy group iNACOL defines personalized learning as,  “Tailoring learning for each student’s strengths, needs and interests- including enabling student voice and choice in what, how, when and where they learn- to provide flexibility and supports to ensure mastery of the highest standards possible.”  www.inacol.org

As we introduced 1:1 devices in our district we asked the essential question: “Now that we have these devices, what will teachers and students be doing differently?”  We hope that this guiding question has allowed our educators to consider the possibilities and benefits for students of embracing personalized learning approaches.

Our journey began in 2016, when we took the Future Ready Schools pledge as a district.  At this time we agreed to explore the concept of personalized learning, both for our staff and our students.  At our summer retreat that year the administrative team took a series of surveys in order to review our understanding and refine our vision around personalized professional learning.  The results have lead to increased opportunities for our staff to pursue their individual and team goals on professional development days and to continue to provide structured opportunities for choice in the workshops they attend.

In 2016 we also sent a delegation to the Future Ready Schools summit in Newton, MA.  We also joined the Massachusetts Personalized Learning Edtech (MAPLE) and became a catalyst district.  Under the guidance of these two groups we have been exploring the concept of personalized learning with several educators participating in learning tours of other Massachusetts schools and even hosting our own event this April.

As we expanded our 1:1 Chromebook initiative to the high school during the 2018-19 school year our educators participated in professional development activities in October that specifically addressed the concept of personalized learning and how this relates to other ideas and initiatives in the district.  On March 1st several teachers offered workshop sessions sharing their best practices and engaging other educators in this ongoing conversation. Our MAPLE partners have also guided our leadership team through many of the challenges and introducing a new initiative and we have developed new strategies for communicating ideas, sharing data, and creating the conditions for teachers to explore strategies for personalized learning for their students.

On March 15th a team from North Reading Public Schools presented at the Massachusetts Computer Using Educators (MASSCUE) spring conference at the College of the Holy Cross.  High School Principal Anthony Loprete, Director of Digital Learning Daniel Downs, 6-12 Foreign Language Curriculum Coordinator and Teacher, Amy St. Arnaud, and I shared our experiences with an audience of educators from across the Commonwealth.  

Ms. St. Arnaud echoed something that we have been saying throughout this process, that technology is just a tool to achieve our personalized learning goals for our students.  Keeping our focus and making progress towards those goals and exploring our own definition of personalized learning is the work that lies ahead for the North Reading Public Schools.

How the North Reading Public Schools are #Leading the Nation

In public education it is rare that we take the time to step back and appreciate our achievements and
celebrate our accomplishments.  Graduation and grade level transitions allow us time to reflect upon
our experiences, but in truth there is so much that is accomplished daily that we rarely are able to
recognize the successes of our students and staff.

At the state level we do celebrate achievement and growth scores on standardized assessments,
through district accountability, and via other quantitative measures but there is certainly a need to
transcend these measures and focus not only on those aspects of the educational experience but
also on the experiences that have educated the whole child.  From inviting learning spaces,
student engagement, and athletic and academic competitions to performances, showcases, and
awards and achievements, there is much in North Reading and Massachusetts to recognize and
celebrate.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has designed
a campaign entitled Leading the Nation that is meant to promote the achievements of the
Massachusetts Public Schools.  

Among the achievements of Massachusetts that the DESE recognizes on its website,
http://www.doe.mass.edu/leadingthenation/ , is that Massachusetts is:

#1 in the U.S. in reading and math on NAEP, "The Nation's Report Card" (2005-2015)

#1 in the world in reading on the PISA international assessment (2016)

#1 in Advanced Placement success in the country (2017-2018)

An integral piece of this campaign is the celebration at the local district level as well for the ways
in which North Reading is a leader.  We have gathered information and created a website, available
on each of our school sites and the district site, to represent all the ways in which the North Reading
Public Schools are leading the nation.  On social media we are using the hashtag #leadingthenation
and we are adding new information to the website with each new accomplishment.

As you will see on the site, we are celebrating large areas of our district: Digital Learning; Curriculum,
Instruction, and Assessment; Supporting all Students; and Finance and Operations.  Each of these
categories contains links to presentations, social media feeds, graphics, charts, and much more that
help to document the ways that the North Reading Public Schools are #leadingthenation.

In addition to the broad categories, we are celebrating the following areas in North Reading as “Ten
Ways the North Reading Public Schools are #leadingthenation”

1.  Our students thrive in a safe and supportive learning environment.
2.  We are a future ready school district.
3.  We believe in personalized learning.
4.  Our students achieve at the highest levels.
5.  Our students excel at athletics and competitions.
6.  Our Visual and Fine Arts program is outstanding.
7.  Our learning spaces are inviting, and our educators are exceptional.
8.  We engage our family and communities.
9.  We have a growth mindset.
10.  We have a strategic plan.

As you are able to see on the live website, each of these ten areas represents a clickable link.  Most
of the links bring you to a sub-page with additional links, photographs, articles and videos that
celebrate the achievements across all five schools.

Our hope is that this page becomes a living document that is constantly refreshed with each new
achievement.  I will work to curate the site but I would certainly appreciate input from our entire school
community. To that end we have created the email address leadingthenation@nrpsk12.org to be used
as a way to communicate information that you would like to see included on the website in the next
update.  This could be in the form of a blurb, link to a news article, photograph, video, or other related
celebration of our growth and achievement as a district.

We look forward to our entire school community joining in this ongoing celebration, especially as we
experience Leading the Nation week on May 7-11, 2018.  Please check out our website, follow the
hashtag on social media, and share any relevant information via email or social media to positively
recognize our students, staff, and school community in North Reading.  As always, please feel free to
contact me at any time with questions about #leadingthenation.

Preparing our Schools for the Future

The North Reading Public Schools are always looking to prepare our students for the future.  A large part of this transition includes a coordinated effort to understand digital learning and to look at the concept from many angles. The Alliance for Excellent Education, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education, have formed the Future Ready Schools program and offered summits across the country to work with school districts.

Last year, Dr. Daniel Downs, Director of Digital Learning, and I brought the Superintendent the information about the Future Ready Schools program and as a team we decided to take the pledge.  This lead to a team of educators from North Reading attending the Future Ready Summit in late 2016 and to our administrative team exploring the Future Ready tools in order to better prepare our schools for what lies ahead.

In taking the pledge, the District agreed to focus on the following areas:

• Foster a culture of collaborative leadership.
• Provide Rigorous Academic Content for all students to build life skills.
• Empower personalized professional learning opportunities.
• Help schools and families transition to anytime, anywhere learning.
• Rethink the use of space and time.
• Implement thoughtful data and privacy policies and protocols.
• Focus on long-term sustainability.
• Share and mentor for continuous improvement.

At last year’s summit, Dr. Downs, Kathleen Dasho, a Digital Learning Specialist, Kim Brown, our high school Library Media Specialist and Future Ready Librarian, and I joined with teams from around the country to learn more about what Future Read had to offer and shared best practices for adapting our schools to suit the needs of our students.  We left the summit with a network of colleagues to continue to share ideas as well as connections to local organizations that have helped us to advance our personalized learning initiative in North Reading.

This school year our administrative leadership team has engaged in the process of completing the District Leadership Self-Assessment which has helped us to think about how we are serving our students and to guide us as we continued to develop our district strategic plan, NRPS 2021.

We have also explored in depth each of the seven gears of the Future Ready Framework:

• Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
• Use of Space and Time
• Robust Infrastructure 
• Data and Privacy
• Community Partnerships
• Personalized Professional Learning
• Budget and Resources

For each gear our administrative team has taken (or plans to take by the spring of 2018) a survey pertaining to the details of each specific gear. Once our team has completed the survey we are able to analyze a very detailed report that is available for our review.  In addition to the great summaries and graphic representations of the data that fuel our discussions, the reports also include suggested action steps that we can incorporate directly into our strategic plan.

We have found the survey questions have lead to detailed and in-depth discussions that have lead our team to ask very important questions about our preparedness for the future.  This Future Ready Schools framework has been an invaluable addition to our process for strategic planning in North Reading.

Next Steps:

After the administrators have reviewed the survey results we may begin to involve other stakeholders (teachers, students, parents, community members) in the survey process for some of the gears in order to gather additional information in order to improve our processes.  Some gears lend themselves more to the inclusion of specific stakeholder groups than others and so our plans may include targeting groups to participate in the future.

We are very excited about the questions that we are discussing as the Future Ready Schools framework and the exploration of the gears has lead us to consider ideas that we had not previously discussed as a team.  The highly specific nature of the surveys guide us to have high-level discussions about some of the cutting-edge concepts of digital learning in our schools.  We believe that this information and the ensuing collaborative conversations will guide us to continuously improve our strategic plan so that we will be in the best position to create an environment for students who will be entering a workforce that is still being designed for careers that may not have even exist in 2018.  It is a challenge for us to envision a curriculum and instructional program that prepares students for the challenges ahead but it is an exciting endeavor and the Future Ready Schools framework is providing us with a solid foundation for this rewarding work.