Green Meadow Update
Robert Rouleau
DESE Guidance
As COVID regulations change and the school year evolves, I would like to keep you up-to-date with the new regulations that were adopted by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as of March 9, 2021.
The following are excerpts from the Guidance on In-Person Learning and Student Learning Time Requirements.
"Elementary school phase (grades K-5): For elementary schools, hybrid and remote learning models will no longer count towards meeting the required student learning time hours as of Monday, April 5, 2021. As a result, districts and schools are required to shift their learning model for elementary school grade levels to full-time, in-person instruction five days per week effective Monday, April 5, 2021."
"For many districts, this will be a substantial programming shift mid-school year. Families should expect that districts may need to make challenging tradeoffs to accommodate the full in-person instructional mode. For instance, if students are currently learning in a hybrid model, the shift to more in-person days may require changes in classroom learning spaces and, in some cases, teacher-student assignments. If students are currently in a remote model or choose to learn remotely when these new requirements go into effect, the remote learning option may look different than the model offered prior to the implementation of these new requirements."
DESE recently "issued updated transportation guidance that significantly expanded bus capacity."
"In addition, we are updating our face mask guidance to require masks at all grade levels."
"As a reminder, our guidance is to set up classrooms with desks at least three feet apart, with students facing the same direction. The three feet distance is measured “seat edge to seat edge” front to back and side to side."
"Families will retain the choice as to whether to send their children to school in-person or have them learn remotely through the end of the school year. Students can still learn remotely and have their hours count towards SLT in two “exception cases.” First, as noted above, parents/guardians may choose to have their students learn remotely through the end of this school year, and the learning hours for these students will continue to count towards structured learning time. Second, following DESE COVID-19 health protocols, individual students may need to isolate or quarantine and therefore learn remotely if they are symptomatic, diagnosed with COVID-19, or are a close contact of someone who tests positive. In these cases, where the district is following the DESE COVID-19 health protocols and students are learning remotely due to a COVID-19-related issue, learning hours will also continue to count towards structured learning time."
"In the fall, DESE will no longer require districts and schools to provide a district-wide remote learning option."
The entire DESE Guidance on In-Person Learning and Student Learning Time Requirements document can be found by clicking on the following link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c-C6ESUjJOP6WY4rg2-tTPkkiuydXE0T0ctP0c8yl5E/edit?usp=sharing
At the present time, Green Meadow staff are working diligently to adopt all of these new regulations in preparation to welcome elementary students back into the building full-time come April.
Please stay tuned for more information as it becomes available by the state of Massachusetts and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
I-Station Assessment
MCAS Assessment
Currently, the third grade students are scheduled to take the MCAS assessment anytime between May 10th and June 11th.
A more detailed testing schedule will be shared with parents/guardians as soon as it becomes available.
School Pictures
"Say Cheese!"
School pictures are scheduled for Tuesday, March 30th and Thursday, April 1st for Cohorts A and B.
Remote classrooms will be scheduled on one of these days and families can opt to come in and have pictures taken after dismissal time.
Picture order forms have been sent home with all hybrid students.
Families who would like to order pictures can do so by completing the paper form and returning it on picture day or ordering the pictures online. Instructions for both can be found on the order form.
Preschool Update (2021-2022)
Substitutes Needed
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
May the luck of the Irish be with us all!
About Us
Email: rrouleau@maynard.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.maynard.k12.ma.us/o/green-meadow-school
Location: 5 Tiger Drive, Maynard, MA, USA
Phone: (978) 897-8246