Dear Nashoba Families and Faculty,
At its meeting on Monday December 21, 2020, the Nashoba Regional School Committee agreed to have NRSD remain in our currently implemented models of instruction in all schools immediately following the December break.
The ongoing COVID situation will be closely monitored in our ongoing efforts to support our faculty and families. We will continue to report any positive cases in our buildings to the general community and we will remain closely connected to our Nashoba Boards of Health for accurate information, guidance and direction.
The safety of our students and faculty is paramount.
The following tips provided by our nursing staff offer user friendly information for staying safe and maintaining good health:
Safety Tips:
Do not travel. This is not the year for traveling to see relatives. The risk of exposing relatives to the virus and vice-versa is not worth it, especially with different generations gathering, including seniors and new babies who both may be at high risk. If you must travel, go by car with family members you live with, take your own food to avoid using restaurants, and make sure you wear your masks and sanitize your hands whenever you use public rest areas, gas stations, etc. Always refer to and abide by health and government policies when traveling across state lines. These guidelines frequently change so be sure you know the latest guidelines before you go. You can find them on state government websites by clicking on the Travel Order
Celebrate with people with whom you live. This is the safest, least risky way to celebrate this holiday season. Whenever you have other people join your circle, it invites new and plentiful opportunities for the virus to come, too. Best to play it safe and stick with those with whom you live.
The Superintendent, in partnership with the site-based principals, will determine if any K-8 buildings need to move to a fully remote model as we move into January based on specific case data and metrics across our three towns and in the state of Massachusetts. This will be done on a school-by-school basis. Parents are strongly encouraged to make possible contingency arrangements now for their child care in case a change of instructional model is deemed necessary. If a change is made, we will all be expected to pivot quickly without much forewarning. It is critical that our parents are prepared, just as our staff will be.
It is desirable that our K-8 schools remain in a hybrid model of instructional implementation, and we will do our best to keep that model of operation running smoothly for as long as we can.
We will continue to keep our communities posted. If changes are made to any of our learning models after the holiday, we will communicate specific information to our communities in a timely fashion. If you have any questions about the learning models or schedules in your particular school buildings, please contact your building principal.
We want to thank our communities for their support and partnership during these unprecedented times. We are all in this together as we navigate our way to the end of this pandemic - we will get through this. There is light at the end of a dark tunnel as we see vaccines roll out, better ways to support COVID patients, etc. Our staff, students, and families are putting forth amazing efforts to ensure that all possible mitigation measures are being implemented - and we thank you for that.
This holiday season will be different for many of us - but we know that we are doing the right thing for ourselves, our children, and the greater good.
We wish you hope, peace, joy, and a safe, happy and healthy holiday season.
Yours in partnership,
Brooke Clenchy
Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Todd Maguire
Assistant Superintendent of Schools
