Around the Schoolyard
Updates from the Schools
Although our school buildings are closed now through the end of the school year, the essence of our “schoolyard” still exists and is present each day through the community of teachers, students, families, and staff working to ensure that each child’s experience is the very best it can be in this challenging time.
Ideas for Class of 2020 Seniors
I continue to be so impressed with the outpouring of support and creative ideas that have been shared by so many members of our community with respect to the graduating class of 2020.
Mr. Loprete, Mr. Hehn, the Senior Class Advisors, and the Student Class Officers have been meeting regularly to plan memorable events for this spring and there are many great ideas that will make these events a success. This group and other important contributors continue to work together with a singular focus: to provide an opportunity to conduct as many of our senior events as possible with the framework of a SAFE senior event. A SAFE event is one that successfully meets these criteria: Sensible within given health and safety guidelines; Accessible, so that all can participate; Feasible in that the event can be reasonably conducted; and Every senior student is included.
As you can imagine, we need to be sure that the planning of the graduation ceremony and other Class of 2020 events is done in an organized and sanctioned manner and so we ask that anyone with ideas or suggestions for help follow the proper channels and share their thoughts with Christie Perrone and the Parents Association who will serve as primary contacts for community ideas.
The best way to contact this group is via email: NRHSPA@gmail.com
If you’re driving down Park Street you will see a wonderful banner with the student names proudly displayed. There are lawn signs to celebrate the class of 2020 and other ideas planned in the near future as well. Please understand the importance of the need for all events and ideas to flow through the proper channels and to receive approval not only from the school administration but also from the local Board of Health, Police, Fire, and town administration as well during these unprecedented times.
Refunds
We are also aware that there are many questions about spring events, programs, activities, and services that have not continued as planned due to the extended school closures. Our Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, Michael Connelly, and his team have been working on this communication and in the coming weeks more information will be forthcoming and shared with impacted families.
Remote Learning
My thanks to everyone involved in making our remote learning plan a success. Our teachers and educators have worked tirelessly to create lessons in this new environment and have found innovative ways to teach and support our students. Students have held to the schedules and completed their assignments, and parents and families have supported them every step of the way. We’ve handed out nearly 400 Chromebook devices to families in need and helped all of our students continue to learn remotely during this extended closure. It is important for all students to follow the remote learning plan and for everyone to recognize the flexibility that is built into the plan, by design, in order to meet the unique needs of everyone in this challenging time. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has identified the grade level standards that are most important for our students to understand and these “power standards” will be our focus for the remainder of the school year.
Support
As I shared previously, the most important idea that we can convey to anxious students is that this spring of 2020 will certainly be different but it will be special in its own way. Everyone in the North Reading Public Schools community is committed to recognizing and celebrating the important milestones of our students’ lives and although it may look different we will certainly find a way to provide these important and memorable experiences for our students.
Mr. Loprete, Mr. Hehn, the Senior Class Advisors, and the Student Class Officers have been meeting regularly to plan memorable events for this spring and there are many great ideas that will make these events a success. This group and other important contributors continue to work together with a singular focus: to provide an opportunity to conduct as many of our senior events as possible with the framework of a SAFE senior event. A SAFE event is one that successfully meets these criteria: Sensible within given health and safety guidelines; Accessible, so that all can participate; Feasible in that the event can be reasonably conducted; and Every senior student is included.
As you can imagine, we need to be sure that the planning of the graduation ceremony and other Class of 2020 events is done in an organized and sanctioned manner and so we ask that anyone with ideas or suggestions for help follow the proper channels and share their thoughts with Christie Perrone and the Parents Association who will serve as primary contacts for community ideas.
The best way to contact this group is via email: NRHSPA@gmail.com
If you’re driving down Park Street you will see a wonderful banner with the student names proudly displayed. There are lawn signs to celebrate the class of 2020 and other ideas planned in the near future as well. Please understand the importance of the need for all events and ideas to flow through the proper channels and to receive approval not only from the school administration but also from the local Board of Health, Police, Fire, and town administration as well during these unprecedented times.
Refunds
We are also aware that there are many questions about spring events, programs, activities, and services that have not continued as planned due to the extended school closures. Our Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, Michael Connelly, and his team have been working on this communication and in the coming weeks more information will be forthcoming and shared with impacted families.
Remote Learning
My thanks to everyone involved in making our remote learning plan a success. Our teachers and educators have worked tirelessly to create lessons in this new environment and have found innovative ways to teach and support our students. Students have held to the schedules and completed their assignments, and parents and families have supported them every step of the way. We’ve handed out nearly 400 Chromebook devices to families in need and helped all of our students continue to learn remotely during this extended closure. It is important for all students to follow the remote learning plan and for everyone to recognize the flexibility that is built into the plan, by design, in order to meet the unique needs of everyone in this challenging time. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has identified the grade level standards that are most important for our students to understand and these “power standards” will be our focus for the remainder of the school year.
Support
As I shared previously, the most important idea that we can convey to anxious students is that this spring of 2020 will certainly be different but it will be special in its own way. Everyone in the North Reading Public Schools community is committed to recognizing and celebrating the important milestones of our students’ lives and although it may look different we will certainly find a way to provide these important and memorable experiences for our students.
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