An Update from the School Committee
School Committee Meeting- August 23, 2021
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An Update from the School Committee....
The School Committee met on August 23 in a special meeting to approve the District’s COVID-19 plan for the start of school on September 8. The Policy Subcommittee met the previous week to provide initial input on a draft, and the Superintendent presented the updated version at this meeting.
The Superintendent began the meeting with statistics on the status of COVID-19 in Watertown. Among 12-15 year-olds, 56% are fully vaccinated and 66% have at least one dose, and among 16-19 year-olds, 63% are fully vaccinated with 71% having at least one dose. As of last April, approximately 80% of teachers were fully vaccinated with more having one dose or scheduled appointments. Vaccinations are strongly encouraged for all persons 12 and older. As of August 19, the community the number of COVID cases was 11.7 per 100,000 and a testing positivity rate of 1.8%.
The Fall 2021 COVID Plan requires face masks for all students and adults while in school buildings. The Watertown Board of Health also has made this a requirement in all indoor public spaces throughout the community. Mandatory pool testing for all students PreK-12 also will continue in the coming year. The Plan provides details on testing and quarantine requirements for anyone who has symptoms, tests positive, or is a “close contact.” These requirements vary depending on whether the person has been vaccinated and whether they are symptomatic. A flow chart will become part of the plan to help parents and students follow the process. Learning accommodations will be made for students unable to attend school due to a COVID-19 quarantine. However, unlike last year, the state is not allowing a complete remote learning option. The plan was approved unanimously by the Committee as the COVID-19 Addendum to school handbooks. The Committee also approved other minor changes to the school and District handbooks themselves.
Dr. Galdston also noted that the district will strive for three feet of social distance in school buildings. Combined with masking, this will help to slow the spread of COVID-19. The Superintendent also noted that breakfast, snacks, and lunch are available in schools without charge.
On Monday, August 30, at 3:00 the Superintendent will hold an informational Zoom on the Addendum for faculty and staff, and again at 6:00 for families.
The Superintendent presented a draft of her goals for the 2021-22 school year. She identified seven goals that covered the following topics: ensure a safe reopening of schools; develop systems to ensure equity, anti-racism, and anti-bias; foster a sense of belonging, trust, and partnership; support accelerated learning at all levels; provide tiered systems of support for student learning; support for elementary and high school building projects; and develop a new District Improvement Plan. The Committee will vote on her goals at its September 13 meeting. The Superintendent also noted that the equity audit is underway with surveys, interviews, and focus groups in September.
The school building projects continue on track. The new Cunniff will open to students on October 12. An opening event for the community will be planned for around that time. The new High School’s Preferred Schematic Report will be presented to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for its approval on Wednesday, August 25. That evening, at 6:00, a High School Community Forum on new building plans will be held for the community on Zoom.
In her report, the Superintendent noted that in the coming year the district will explore partnership opportunities in vocational education with nearby communities such as Waltham, Medford, and Cambridge. Watertown is also expanding its Chapter 74 vocational-technical programs to include Medical Assisting and Digital Media Production in the Fall of 2022, adding to the already established Chapter 74 Engineering Technology program.
For upcoming meetings, the Policy Subcommittee meets on August 26 at 4:30; the School Building Committee meets on September 1 at 6:00, and the School Committee meets on September 13 at 7:00.
Additional information is available on the Watertown Public Schools website at https://www.watertown.k12.ma.us/cms/one.aspx?portalid=190103&pageid=556557.
John Portz
Watertown School Committee
Watertown School Committee
Email: schoolcommittee@watertown.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.watertown.k12.ma.us/school_committee/home
Location: 30 Common Street, Watertown, MA, USA
Phone: 617-926-7700
Facebook: facebook.com/watertownpublicschools
Twitter: @watertownschool