Friday, June 19, 2020

Superintendent's Message

Dear North Reading Public Schools Community,

Today is our last day of school for students for the 2019-20 school year. The weather is beautiful and summer is here. It's a bit strange to not see the school buses or the lockers being emptied out but I have enjoyed the virtual field days and other ceremonies that I have been able to view online this week. This spring did not turn out how any of us expected but I have to say that the North Reading School Community has certainly done an amazing job of stepping up and making the most of this challenging situation.

I've had the opportunity to visit students in online classrooms and I've told each of them how impressed I am with their level of engagement and commitment to learning in these circumstances. Thank you to the parents, guardians, and families who have worked so hard to continue the learning for our students in this new environment.

Thank you to those who made and delivered lunches, provided technology, administrative assistant support, and for those who are preparing our buildings for re-opening. Thank you to our administrators for providing such solid plans and such dedicated leadership. Our wonderful Paraprofessionals continue to provide support to our amazing teachers, who have been so incredible in making the adjustment to remote learning. Our Student Services team and Business Office have continued working non-stop to ensure that our schools continue to operate efficiently and that all of our students receive the supports that they need. The Nurses have worked not only for our schools but also for our town, and our counselors have been available for a variety of student and staff needs. Our Digital Learning Team, lead by Dr. Downs, truly stepped up and helped our teachers and students make the transition and I think that all of our school community, working together, has helped to make this as successful a spring as possible.

The School Committee has been supportive as well and I truly appreciate the collaborative relationships that I have developed with them as well as with the other local boards and town officials who have been meeting weekly since early March as we collaborate on this situation together as a community.

I appreciate the emails, calls, and conversations with parents in the community. I know that remote learning has been a challenge for many students and please know that our hope is to return to school in the fall in a manner that is safe and supportive and that resembles a typical fall reopening as much as possible. 

​There are many questions that remain as we await guidance about reopening but I know that we are on the right track with the formation of a working group for reopening that will be working over the summer to send surveys and information to families and to communicate important information about reopening. I ask that you please respond promptly to any surveys sent over the summer as this data will be very important to our decision making process and the design of the 2020-21 school year.

Have a wonderful summer and be well!

Dr. Daly

No comments:

Post a Comment