THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, April 3, 2020 Page 13 SCHOOL | FROM PAGE 2 The remote guidelines were issued in the wake of the governor’s announcement to not reopen schools before May 4. “Throughout the initial weeks of this crisis, our educational community has prioritized the health, safety, and wellness of students, families, educators, and staff ,” Riley wrote. “At the same time, districts and schools across the Commonwealth have been operating with various remote learning models for their students, with signifi cant variation from one district to the next.” The guidelines are a set of recommendations which do not constitute a requirement for any district or school, according to Riley. He suggested that districts and schools view the remote learning guidelines as “as a baseline or starting point that they can modify in collaboration with local stakeholders to fi t their unique contexts, capacities, and needs.” “We expect that you will customize our recommendations for individual districts and schools and for individual students within them,” he wrote. Dr. DeRuosi said that over the fi rst three weeks that schools have been closed he has focused on the health and welfare of students. He noted that making sure all students were eating healthy was a chief concern. About 120 students were receiving meals three days a week, he said. With Riley’s offi ce issuing the guidelines this week, he said, it is time for the district to move forward with its contingency education plan. “The remote learning has to be done slowly and well-thought out,” he said, stressing that patience is important given the circumstances where many people in the community have lost their jobs or been forced to work at home. “Right now, parents are being asked to be taking on teaching duties,” he said. Veteran School Committee Member Arthur Grabowski had initial misgivings about remote learning and questioned why Saugus Public Schools hasn’t been doing more during the three weeks that schools have been closed. But after doing some research on Wednesday, he said he is satisfi ed that Saugus was moving ahead on schedule similarly to other school districts. “The state has told us they’re not concerned about teaching new things,” Grabowski said. “They’re interested in not teaching anything new, just reinforcing what they’ve already learned so kids don’t lose those skills.” MCAS tests are cancelled. Graduation and all the activities that go with it are likely cancelled. But it’s time for students to reconnect with their teachers and spend several hours of day learning, according to DeRuosi. The superintendent plans to be at the Belmonte Middle School today, handing Chromebooks to 80 families that have limited or no home computer access. 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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