Massachusetts Association of School Committees
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Coronavirus Resources
Resources, news and updates for Massachusetts school districts regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the United States.
MASC Staff is Available for Your Questions and Guidance!
MASC is in the process of compiling a list of frequently asked questions and answers to help members navigate issues surrounding the coronavirus outbreak. View the list here.
Resources
MASC RESOURCES:
- Guidance on Policy Issues for the Pandemic (7/30/20) (MASC)
- MASC Guide to Member Roles in Reopening of Schools (7/11/20) (MASC)
- Resolutions on COVID-19 Expenses and Social, Economic & Racial Justice in Our Communities (MASC)
- School Committee Leadership During COVID-19 School Closures (MASC)
- COVID-19 FAQs for School Leaders (MASC)
STATE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES:
- Governor Baker's emergency order to support families in remote learning (8/28/20) (MA Governor's Office)
- Joint Guidance on Modified Sports Seasons (8/18/20) (MA DESE / MIAA)
- Career/Vocational Technical Education Reopening Guidelines (7/29/20) (MA DESE)
- Remote Learning Guidance for Fall 2020 (7/24/20) (MA DESE)
- Fall Reopening Guidance - Facilities & Operations (7/22/20) (MA DESE)
- Fall Reopening Guidance - Transportation (7/22/20) (MA DESE)
- Grant Opportunity: FY2021 Remote Learning Technology Essentials (MA DESE)
- Additional Guidance on Fall Reopening Plans (7/10/20) (MA DESE)
- Fall Reopening Frequently Asked Questions (7/10/20) (MA DESE)
- Comprehensive Special Education Guidance for 2020-21 School Year (7/9/20) (MA DESE)
- Initial Fall School Reopening Guidance (MA DESE)
- DESE Releases Initial Back-to-School Guidance (Press Release) (MA DESE)
- Guidance on Required Safety Supplies for Re-Opening Schools (MA DESE)
- Strengthening Our Remote Learning Experience: Guidance for MA School Districts (Updated 4/27/20) (MA DESE)
- FY2021 Regional School District Interim or 1/12th Budget Process Q&A (5/13/20) (MA DESE)
- Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Program (Mass.gov)
- List of MA COVID-19 Essential Services (MA Governor)
- Press Release: Governor's Emergency Actions to Address COVID-19 (3/15/20)
- Update on Open Meeting Law executive order (MA Attorney General)
- Updating Resources on COVID-19 for Massachusetts K-12 Education (MA DESE)
- Governor's Press Release (3/10/20)
- COVID-19 Public Health Updates (MA DPH)
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RESOURCES:
- Use of Department of Education Grant Funds During the Novel Coronavirus Disease (US DOE)
- FBI Warns of Teleconferencing and Online Classroom Hijacking During COVID-19 Pandemic (FBI Boston)
- Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities (US DOE)
- Protecting Students' Civil Rights During COVID-19 Response (US DOE)
- Downloadable COVID-19 fact sheets in multiple languages (US HHS)
- Fact sheet on using USDA foods during a human pandemic (USDA)
OTHER RESOURCES:
- COVID-19 Planning Considerations: Guidance for School Re-entry (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- CDC Readiness and Planning Tool to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in K-12 Schools
- Considerations for school-related public health measures in the context of COVID-19 (World Health Organization)
- Cost of Reopening Schools Chart (AASA/ASBO)
- Internet Essentials Program (Comcast)
- National School Boards Association Advocacy Resources (Compiled Resources from 4/24/20 NSBA Advocacy Conversation) (.zip)
- Report: Remote Learning Guidance from State Education Agencies During the COVID-19 Pandemic (MIT Teaching Systems Lab)
- Free Resources for K-12 Online Education (COVID-19 Education Coalition)
- National League of Cities Action Tracker
- Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative
- Resources for Local Government Leaders (MMA)
- School Closure Meal Information & MA Meal Sites Map (Child Nutrition Outreach Program)
- Supporting Children’s Emotional Well-being during the COVID-19 Pandemic (Child Trends / UMass Child Trauma Training Center
- Education Resources for the COVID-19 Crisis (Education Development Center)
- Responding to Coronavirus: A Downloadable Guide for Schools (EdWeek)
- Map: Coronavirus and School Closures Nationally (EdWeek)
News
For a roundup of relevant education news delivered to your inbox every morning, including the latest updates on COVID-19 as it relates to school districts sign up for MASC's The Daily Ed Newsletter.
Coronavirus News: Tuesday, October 27, 2020
- Details
- Category: Coronavirus Resources
Homeless and trying to learn in a pandemic: What some students face (Christian Science Monitor)
Why COVID-19's pandemic may fuel legal push for more K-12 aid (EdWeek)
Massachusetts coronavirus data shows second wave: 'It's impossible not to be concerned' (Boston Herald)
Lawmakers approve $5.4B state budget, setting spending through November (State House News Service via The Berkshire Eagle)
Problems linger weeks after Springfield schools cyberattack (Western Mass News)
Amherst, Pelham schools see declining enrollment (Daily Hampshire Gazette)
Amherst board cites studies students are safer in schools than remote learning (MassLive)
Monty Tech moving to two weeks of remote learning to curb spread of COVID-19 (The Gardner News)
Worcester seniors take SAT today (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
Fitchburg schools delay hybrid start after outbreak linked to city church (Sentinel & Enterprise)
Swampscott teachers and students return to the classroom (The Item)
Salem bringing students back (The Item)
Haverhill schools reach agreement with bus drivers and monitors (WHAV)
Algonquin Regional saw challenges, impacts in first weeks of hybrid learning (Community Advocate)
Milton High goes full remote (The Patriot Ledger)
Old Rochester Regional reports fifth positive COVID-19 case (Wicked Local Wareham)
Coronavirus News: Monday, October 26, 2020
- Details
- Category: Coronavirus Resources
As the holidays near, the coronavirus is spreading rapidly, putting families in a quandary about celebrations and travel (The Washington Post)
State threatens audit of districts that suspend in-person learning before health indicators sustain red (Boston Herald)
COVID testing to be offered at some Massachusetts schools, with a priority for in-person learning (MassLive)
Hampden-Wilbraham redesigns elementary hybrid learning to lower class sizes (The Reminder)
As parents object to shutdowns, Amherst looks to reopen negotiations with teachers (Daily Hampshire Gazette)
Mohawk Trails building subcommittee approves ventilation plans, continues building repairs (Greenfield Recorder)
Narragansett Regional switching to full remote learning this week; district awaiting results of possible COVID-19 case (The Gardner News)
Political Notebook: When it comes to schools, virus proves to be a tricky subject (Metrowest Daily News)
Haverhill teachers union approves agreement on pandemic working conditions (Eagle Tribune)
Kindergartners enjoy outdoor learning in Nahant (The Item)
Party sends Marblehead High remote for at least two weeks (MassLive)
Wilimington High forced remote after house party (NECN)
Brookline superintendent: Schools need substitute teachers (Brookline Patch)
Return to school helps East Bridgewater students succeed (The Enterprise)
Positive case reported at Seekonk elementary school (The Sun Chronicle)
Band is back: New Bedford High marching band adapts to pandemic precautions (South Coast Today)
Dennis-Yarmouth, Easton students test positive for COVID-19 (Milford Daily News)
Newton's enrollment declines amid pandemic (Boston Globe)
Coronavirus News: Friday, October 23, 2020
- Details
- Category: Coronavirus Resources
As more students head back, here's what we know (and still don't) about schools and COVID spread (Chalkbeat)
CDC clarifies '15 minute rule' for social distancing (Ed Week)
Rising number of U.S. schoolchildren have option on in-person schooling (NEPM)
129 student, 73 staff cases of COVID-19 in schools last week (MassLive)
Tournament management committee recommends cancellation of MIAA-sponsored winter sports tournaments (The Gardner News)
South Hadley approves November return for youngest and high-need students (Daily Hampshire Gazette)
Ludlow reports second coronavirus case this week (MassLive)
Pentucket seeks to improve learning models (Newburyport Daily News)
In Framingham, some teachers worry about school reopening plan (Metrowest Daily News)
Old Rochester School District reports positive case at the Center School (Wicked Local Mattapoisett)
Divided Attleboro School Committee votes to continue hybrid approach (The Sun Chronicle)
180 Duxbury students quarantined in the past three weeks (The Patriot Ledger)
Coronavirus News: Wednesday, October 22, 2020
- Details
- Category: Coronavirus Resources
CDC redefines close contact, adds brief encounters (AP)
State releases guidance on snow days amid remote learning (Western Mass News)
3 COVID-19 cases reported in Fausey Elementary in West Springfield (WWLP 22)
Amherst Regional returns to remote learning after COVID-19 cases (WWLP 22)
Air exchange problem holds back school opening in Winchendon (The Gardner News)
This fall, only one Worcester student hasn't logged on for school (MassLive)
Lowell decision to go mostly remote scrutinized (Lowell Sun)
Haverhill assistant principal assaulted on home visit to student (Eagle Tribune)
Boston reverts fully back to remote learning, citing rising tide of cases (WBUR)
Coronavirus News: Wednesday, October 21, 2020
- Details
- Category: Coronavirus Resources
'It has hit us with a vengeance': virus surges again across the U.S. (The New York Times)
Department auditing two districts over timeline for bringing back remote learning (Boston Globe)
East Longmeadow, Watertown being audited over staying with remote learning despite low in-town cases (MassLive)
Education Commissioner: Fears of super spreading schools "somewhat unfounded" (State House News Service via WBUR)
Member of Ludlow High School tests positive for COVID-19 (Western Mass News)
Chicopee delays next phase of in-person learning due to increase of cases (MassLive)
Holyoke schools continue to provide homebound learners a daily meal (MassLive)
Positive cases in Pioneer, Mahar result in pause in athletics (Daily Hampshire Gazette)
Hudson High to shift to all remote learning until November 5 (Metrowest Daily News)
'Really important that students find a way to stay active' (Herald News)
Barnstable school district reports three cases in isolation (Cape Cod Times)
Coronavirus News: Tuesday, October 20, 2020
- Details
- Category: Coronavirus Resources
Cool October nights usher in a state budget season (NEPM)
Positive COVID-19 test pushes Pioneer Regional remote (Greenfield Recorder)
Worcester parents implore district to start in-person classes sooner (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
Some Amesbury students back in their classrooms (Newburyport News)
Braintree schools hope for full reopening in January (Patriot Ledger)
Virus cases down again in Attleboro schools (The Sun Chronicle)
New Bedford schools move forward with reopening phases (South Coast Today)
Nantucket faces possible bus shortage with return to in-school learning (The Inquirer and Mirror)
Nearly 2000 Boston special education students awaiting assessments due to backlog (Boston Herald)
Coronavirus News: Monday, October 19, 2020
- Details
- Category: Coronavirus Resources
Baker's new budget slim on aid (Eagle Tribune)
What remote learning looks like across the state varies by district (Boston Globe)
Hybrid learning a toss-up, Northampton survey shows (Daily Hampshire Gazette)
Hadley students head back to classrooms Oct. 26 (Daily Hampshire Gazette)
Worcester Public Schools face another loss of $860,000 after $15.5M cut (MassLive)
Virus, power outage cause concern for Hudson administrators (Community Advocate)
Winchester superintendent supports nixing MCAS during pandemic (Winchester Wicked Local)
Concord, Concord-Carlisle School Committees support suspending MCAS during pandemic (Concord Journal)
Puteri named as Pentucket Regional remote learning principal (WHAV)
Amesbury delays most school openings (Newburyport News)
Cardinal Spellman, Southeastern go fully remote after more COVID-19 cases (The Enterprise)
Behind the scenes: the staff ensuring school stays safe (The Sun Chronicle)
Up-island School Committee begins planning for return of all students (The Vineyard Gazette)
High school students return to buildings in New Bedford (WBUR)
Thousands of Boston students cut off from dental care (Boston Globe)
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