COVID-19: 'Live' Teaching and Check-In Requirements Go Into Effect For MA Schools COVID-19: 'Live' Teaching and Check-In Requirements Go Into Effect For MA Schools
Covid-19: 'Live' Teaching and Check-In Requirements Go Into Effect For MA Schools A new set of rules that requires "live" teaching time and daily check-ins in hybrid and remote learning Massachusetts school districts went into effect Tuesday, Jan. 19. The requirements set by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education are an update to rules meant to stop the spread of COVID-19 by keeping students in high-risk communities learning from home. The rules establish a minimum level for live and synchronous instruction. Any district that does not comply with the new regulations will be required to make up learning time missed due to non-compliance by the end of t…
COVID-19: Westchester School Reports 15 New Infections; High School To Go Remote COVID-19: Westchester School Reports 15 New Infections; High School To Go Remote
Covid-19: Westchester School Reports 15 New Infections; High School To Go Remote A Westchester school district has been forced to make changes to its schedule due to a small surge in new COVID-19 cases and some mandatory quarantines from holiday travelers. Bronxville Schools Superintendent Roy Montesano issued an alert to the community on Friday, Jan. 8 advising that the district had learned of 15 newly confirmed positive cases in students. Of the 15 positive cases, nine were from the high school, four elementary school students, and two in the middle school. Montesano also made note that the district has seen an increase in the number of students who are learning remo…
COVID-19: Anger Roils Over Superintendent's Florida Trip As Students Do Remote-Learning COVID-19: Anger Roils Over Superintendent's Florida Trip As Students Do Remote-Learning
Covid-19: Anger Roils Over Superintendent's Florida Trip As Students Do Remote-Learning A school superintendent’s trip to Florida to see a football game has irked the school district community. During the week of Dec. 28, social media lit up when it was revealed that Paula Deacon, superintendent of Leominster schools had recently traveled to Tampa, Florida to see a Buccaneers game. Deacon didn’t violate any laws, but members of the community are calling her actions hypocritical, according to Boston10. While Leominster students attend school remotely, and the Massachusetts government continues to encourage people to stay home, by request as well as economic restrictions, Deac…
COVID-19: First Details Of MCAS Test Changes For 2021 Surface COVID-19: First Details Of MCAS Test Changes For 2021 Surface
Covid-19: First Details Of Mcas Test Changes For 2021 Surface For many students, MCAS testing time will be shorter than usual due to COVID-19, said Massachusetts’ education commissioner, adding that for many students the pandemic likely led to a “learning loss.” On Tuesday, Jan. 5, Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley sent a memo to superintendents about what the MCAS testing process may be like during the pandemic. With considerations for things like interrupted classroom schedules and distance learning, MCAS will still be taken this spring, but Riley said he will recommend to the state board of education that the test be mod…
COVID-19: Westchester School District To Reopen With Hybrid Model, District Employees Object COVID-19: Westchester School District To Reopen With Hybrid Model, District Employees Object
Covid-19: Westchester School District To Reopen With Hybrid Model, District Employees Object While most schools in Westchester will be returning from the holiday break and learning remotely, at least one district is bucking that trend and will be going to its hybrid model, much to the chagrin of some of its employees. When students in New Rochelle return to class on Monday, Jan. 4, those in grades 4 through 8 will return to the district's full-hybrid model, joining the younger students. At the high school, the Alternative Campus School will return to the hybrid model on Monday, Jan. 11, and the rest of the school will follow on Tuesday, Jan. 19. Interim New Rochelle Schools Super…
COVID-19: Westchester School District Going Remote To Start New Year COVID-19: Westchester School District Going Remote To Start New Year
Covid-19: Westchester School District Going Remote To Start New Year A Westchester school district will temporarily be sticking with its remote learning when they turn the calendar from 2020 to 2021. Pelham Schools Superintendent Cheryl Champ said that after discussing the matter at a recent School Board meeting, the district will shift to full remote instruction the week after the Holiday recess - Monday, Jan. 4 through Friday, Jan. 8 Wednesday, Jan. 6 will also be an early dismissal day for all students. 
“Following the Thanksgiving holiday, we saw a clear increase in the number of COVID-19 cases across the country, the region, and our school district,” s…
Lawsuit: Springfield Student Challenges New Flu-Shot Requirement For Mass. Students Lawsuit: Springfield Student Challenges New Flu-Shot Requirement For Mass. Students
Lawsuit: Springfield Student Challenges New Flu-Shot Requirement For Mass. Students A Springfield graduate student and a Waltham mother are seeking to get the new flu vaccine requirement for all Massachusetts students thrown out by the courts. A lawsuit was recently filed by Madison Schiltz, 27, a Springfield College graduate student, and Tamar Massoyan-Artinian, both claiming that Massachusetts did not follow proper procedures to create a flu-vaccine mandate, according to the Boston Herald. Therefore, they said, the rule should be vacated. The new law, crafted to fight the spread of COVID-19, requires all children ages 6 months and older to receive the flu vaccine as a co…
COVID-19: Westchester School District Going Remote Longer For 'Holiday Pause' COVID-19: Westchester School District Going Remote Longer For 'Holiday Pause'
Covid-19: Westchester School District Going Remote Longer For 'Holiday Pause' A Westchester school district will be extending its plan for remote learning for a “holiday break” due to rising COVID-19 numbers. This week, Yonkers Schools Superintendent Edwin Quezada sent a letter to the community saying that the district would be going 100 percent remote between Monday, Jan. 4, and Friday, Jan. 8, with students planning to return to the classroom as of Monday, Jan. 11. During that week, students will be distance learning while teachers and staff members in school buildings are expected to be inside schools to deliver instruction. “While a holiday pause is most certain…
COVID-19: Two High Schools Go Remote Due To Staffing Shortages In Fairfield County COVID-19: Two High Schools Go Remote Due To Staffing Shortages In Fairfield County
Covid-19: Two High Schools Go Remote Due To Staffing Shortages In Fairfield County Students that returned to in-person learning in Fairfield County earlier this month will be transitioning back to remote learning for the rest of the month. Both the Stratford and Bunnell high schools switched over to their distance learning models this week due to confirmed COVID-19 cases in each building, prompting district officials to cancel in-person learning through the holiday break. Students will return to the classroom beginning on Monday, Jan. 4. Stratford High School Principal Jack Dellapiano said that the rise in cases over recent weeks has led to students and staffers to enter…
SNOW DAY: These Burlington County Districts Have No School On Thursday SNOW DAY: These Burlington County Districts Have No School On Thursday
Snow DAY: These Burlington County Districts Have No School On Thursday While snow won't effect many New Jersey schoolchildren learning remotely, some school districts have given their students a snow day off on Thursday.  In Burlington County, these schools are closed:  Chesterfield Elementary School Evesham Township School District Medford Township Public Schools New Hanover Township School Southampton Township Schools Other school districts warned that even remote instruction might be disrupted if the snowstorm is accompanied by power outages. This story will be updated as more district announce their plans. Did we miss any? Email clevine@dail…
SNOW DAY: These Mercer County Districts Have No School On Thursday SNOW DAY: These Mercer County Districts Have No School On Thursday
Snow DAY: These Mercer County Districts Have No School On Thursday While snow won't effect many New Jersey schoolchildren learning remotely, some school districts have given their students a snow day off on Thursday.  In Mercer County, these schools are closed:  Ewing Public Schools East Windsor Regional School District Hopewell Valley Regional School District Lawrence Public Schools Mercer County Special Services School District Mercer County Vocational School District Princeton Public Schools West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District Other school districts warned that even remote instruction might be disrupted if the snowstorm is accomp…
SNOW DAY: These Jersey Shore Districts Have No School On Thursday, Others Are 'Remote' SNOW DAY: These Jersey Shore Districts Have No School On Thursday, Others Are 'Remote'
Snow DAY: These Jersey Shore Districts Have No School On Thursday, Others Are 'Remote' While snow won't effect many New Jersey schoolchildren learning remotely, some school districts have given their students a snow day off on Thursday. Other school districts have declared Thursday a "virtual half day." (See that list near the bottom of this story) MONMOUTH COUNTY These Monmouth school districts have cancelled school on Thursday: Freehold Regional High School District Freehold Township School District Holmdel Township School District Keansburg School District Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District Millstone Township School D…