Superintendent's Synopsis
Blue Hills Regional Technical School District
March 2020
Blue Hills Regional Technical School is enacting a closure of school from March 16 - April 5, 2020 and school-related activities. School is tentatively scheduled to reopen April 6, 2020.
We hope you are all staying healthy and following the guidance from Dr. Anthony Fauci
regarding the corona-virus and adapting to the new home office norm. Avoid discretionary travel, avoid social gatherings of over 10 or more, sporting events with spectators, concerts, and conventions during the COVID-19 pandemic.Please practice social distancing and good hygiene. This new virus has us all learning about it and learning about what we are supposed to do to prevent the spread of the virus, protect ourselves and our loved ones.
As we all adapt to the new "home office" norm during the COVID-19 pandemic, please remember to be kind to one another. Take good care of yourselves, exercise in the house or yard, spring clean, paint, write, read, journal, play board games, play cards, do some karaoke, knit, sing, play music, create something, solve puzzles, cook healthy meals together, teach someone something new or learn something new. Then at the beginning of each day and before you go to sleep think about one thing that you are grateful for in your life.
Remember to focus on What's Important Now (WIN). We are all in this together and we will get through this as one Blue Hills.
Stay safe and be well.
- Advisory Board Dinner for April 9 is canceled
- Outstanding Vocational Student Awards Banquet for April 9, 2020 has been CANCELLED
- Additionally, the MIAA Board of Directors voted to have completion of regular season and tournament games by June 20, 2020 with consideration of June 21, 2020 for weather and facility needs
- MCAS Grade 10 Testing is postponed
- SkillsUSA May 1st is cancelled
- Spring Sports begin April 27
- Day on the Hill is canceled
- Continuing Education is canceled for the remainder of the year.
Please check out the FAQ's below.
Student Learning
Are the days during the three week closure counted as “school days?”
No: the week of March 16-19 are non-school days. However, the period from March 23 to April 5 will essentially be considered a two week school closing period. According to the DESE guidelines,there is an expectation that we provide online enrichment learning opportunities during this period. It is important to note that the school year will not extend beyond the 185th day (June 25, 2020)
Are there expectations around Distance and Online Learning Expectations for Students or Teachers?
During the next two weeks (March 23-April 5), assignments should be provided that continue the learning process in each class. Understandably, we are not providing a full replacement of our normal curriculum. Some examples would be: enrichment activities, reading assignments, writing assignments, research assignments, mindfulness, IXL/math packets, physical activity suggestions, vocational technical assignments, hands-on science activities, Naviance, career activities from Strands 4, 5, and 6, and other online practice, etc.
All teachers and providers should be contacting their students to ensure a “continuation of learning” as described above. Teachers should communicate, insofar as they are able, at least twice per week with their classes, providing what they have determined to be the best pathway towards a continuation of learning. Teachers should communicate as close to the beginning of each week as possible and check in at the end of each week via email through their Google Classroom, Remind App, where applicable or class lists in X2. More information will be coming from Principal ZIni and your teachers.
Given a three week closure, what happens with the MCAS ELA test for sophomore students?
Activities, Events and Athletics
Are there any athletic, club, or activity events happening during this period of closure (March 16-April 5)?
No. All school-related events are canceled during this period.
Are spring sports delayed?
Yes. After much discussion, the MIAA BOD decided to delay the start of the 2020 spring season to April 27, 2020. Respecting the fluidity of this situation, this decision will be revisited prior to April 27.Additionally, the MIAA Board of Directors voted to have completion of regular season and tournament games by June 20, 2020 with consideration of June 21, 2020 for weather and facility needs.
What about prom, graduation, incoming 9th grade placement testing?
Are Saturday suspensions in session during school closure?
When is the last day of school?
Blue Hills Regional Technical School will be in session through June 25, 2020 which is our regularly scheduled 185th day.
Currently the schools are closed through April 5, 2020. Will this be extended? How will we be notified?
Blue Hills Regional Technical School will continue to monitor this fluid situation and will make the best determinations in the best interest of the students and staff. Information will continue to be provided via Blackboard Connect-ed, on our website www.bluehills.org and on all major news outlets.
What will happen to April vacation (April 20-24)?
Will food services be available for students that qualify for free and reduced lunch?
Will there be access to any school buildings during the March 18 - March 25, 2020 ?
At this time all the building is closed to staff and students. However, we are aware of building access requests and we will be communicating accommodations for reasonable requests through appointments with an Administrator or Supervisor. If a student or staff member needs to access the Blue Hills building on weekdays, please contact a school administrator first to make an appointment.
Principal Geoff Zini
Dean Tom Cavanaugh
Facilities Director David Galego
Academic Director Dr. Paul Bavuso
Vocational Director Michelle Sylvia
Special Education Director Angelo Dimitrou
Admissions & LPN Director Marybeth Joyce
IT Director Matt Eisan
Are LPN students and LPN teachers supposed to attend school?
COVID-19 RESOURCES AND SUPPORT
Should everyone be practicing social distancing?
Yes. Now, we ask that you do your part. Creating social gatherings during the school outage will minimize the impact of closing school. Carefully consider the necessity of being together. This is not a vacation. It is an extreme measure to allow for social distancing so the virus is not spread. Please stay 6 feet away from anyone you see and take only necessary trips to the store and work. Not being exposed to the virus is the best way not to get sick. Please refer to this CDC webpage for other recommendations to prevent illness: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html
Your children should not be socializing with anyone outside of their immediate family during this school closure.
How do I contact my town's local board of health?
Avon (508) 588-0414 ext. 1016
Braintree (781)-794-8090
Canton (781) 821-5021
Dedham (781)-794-8090
Holbrook (781) 767-3030
Milton (617) 898-4886
Norwood (781)-762-1240
Randolph (781) 961-0924
Westwood (781)-320-1027
What if we need Internet Access? How do I access free Xfinity WiFi hotspots?
Please use the following links for information regarding Comcast's Internet Essential Program for any families in need of internet access.
https://www.internetessentials.com/
https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19
Xfinity WiFi Free For Everyone:
Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots and then launch a browser.
Special Education
My child is on an IEP or 504 Plan, and I am concerned about the implications of the closure on my child’s educational progress.
I have made a request for an Initial Evaluation on or after March 16th. What should I expect?
Will my child’s special education liaison, related service provider, and Director of Special Education be available if I have a question during this two week closure?
My child is on an IEP and receives “services only” (i.e. speech/Language counseling etc.). Will my child receive these services during the closure?
About Blue Hills Regional Technical School District
Email: info@bluehills.org
Website: www.bluehills.org
Location: 800 Randolph Street
Phone: 7810828-5800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/High-School/Blue-Hills-Regional-Technical-School-549020528796565/
Twitter: @bhrtech