THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 Page 17 SCHOOLING | FROM PAGE 1 sary precautions to ensure we are doing our part to contain the virus,” DeRuosi said. “With that all said, it is not an easy choice you as a parent must face at this time – whether it’s to return to a hybrid or stay remote. All I can assure you is we will do our best to support you in either decision,” he said. All students will be required to wear face coverings or masks. However, bandanas and gaiters will not be allowed as face coverings in schools, DeRuosi said in a video which lasted about 11 and a third minutes. Should the masks get damaged, the school will have replacements in every classroom, he added. “Compliance with all the COVID safety policies will be strictly enforced. We have to,” DeRuosi noted, “to provide a safe and healthy environment for all students and staff.” “We will do our due diligence and enforce these rules,” the superintendent vowed. Students still have learning options The superintendent stressed that parents will still have the option to keep their children in the “remote” learning setting should they not feel comfortable with a return to school under the hybrid learning model. There is a process for parents who wish to transfer their students from remote learning to hybrid learning. In order to make that change, they must notify the superintendent’s office during the week of March 8 so that it may take effect THE SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 9 help. “Fast, simple, and easy! “For more information on this and other services, visit http://www.sauguspubliclibrary.org” Let’s hear it! Got an idea, passing thought or gripe you would like to share with The Saugus Advoduring the week of March 15. There is also a process for parents who wish to transfer their children from hybrid learning back to remote. The superintendent’s office must be notified during the week of March 8 so the transfer can take place during the week of March 15. School Committee Vice Chair Ryan Fisher appeared cautiously optimistic as he looked ahead to efforts by the School District to transition to a more normal educational setting in the midst of a significant spike in confirmed COVID-19 cases. “There used to be discussions about how disruptive snow days were to learning, and here we are 10 months in a remote environment,” Fisher said. “I’m hopeful we’ll be able to get these kids back into a routine, a groove, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous watching the COVID numbers. We’ve gotten some bad hands this year,” he said. A majority of the School Committee has been reluctant for cate? I’m always interested in your feedback. It’s been more than four and a half years since I began work at The Saugus Advocate. I’m always interested in hearing readers’ suggestions for possible stories or good candidates for “The Advocate Asks” interview of the week. Feel free to email me at mvoge@comcast.net. Do you have some interesting views on an issue that you several months to have students return to classes via the hybrid model, out of concern for their health. Meanwhile, Special Education students have been receiving in-person education twice-a-week since the last week of September. DeRuosi announced recently that in-person classroom education will increase to fourdays-a-week for Special Education students. The primary purpose of next week’s orientation (beginning Tuesday, Jan. 19 – the day after Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which is a holiday) is to acclimate students with teachers, classroom setting, classroom materials and procedures governed by COVID-19. It also is intended as an introductory guide to health and safety procedure and building reopening and guidance plans. The orientation for all grades has been posted on the School Department website. Parents are urged to contact school building administration if they have any questions. want to express to the community? Submit your idea. If I like it, we can meet for a 15to 20-minute interview while practicing social distancing outside a local coffee shop. And I’ll buy the coffee. Or, if you prefer to be interviewed from the safety of your home on the phone or via email, I will provide that option to you as the nation copes with the Coronavirus crisis. Space for Lease 3 Large Rooms, each with Large Walk-in Storage Area. or Aerobics Studio. Located at Route 1 South at Walnut Street. Rollerworld Plaza, Route 1 South, 425 Broadway, Saugus. Call Michelle at: 781-233-9507
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