March 20, 2020

Dear Parents and Families,

As you know, Governor Charlie Baker announced that all schools will be closed through Monday, April 6, 2020.  We are writing today to share updates about this school closure and resources to engage students and support families. This letter is lengthy, but we do ask that you read it carefully as there is important information to share.  

Our Technology Department and staff volunteers have distributed Chromebooks to over 180 students who will need them to work at home.  Lunch is available daily at CHS from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Canton children, and we are utilizing the Bulldog Van to distribute lunches throughout town. We are distributing approximately 150 meals a day. This continues to work effectively thanks to the Food Service Department and staff volunteers. If your child is in need of a device and/or lunch, please contact your child’s Principal and they will follow up on all requests.

While there is no replacement for the ongoing relationship among educators and students or the instructional time in classrooms, educators will be sharing resources to support students with meaningful online learning opportunities from now through April 6, 2020.

Our goals during this school closure are:

• We are seeking to slow the progress of the COVID-19 virus by practicing social distancing. 
• While doing that, staff will provide academic support for our students that helps them maintain their skills and current knowledge.  
• Staff will communicate with students and families to support their access to these materials, to offer encouragement, stay connected and to clarify any questions they may have.

As we operate in a place of uncertainty, we remain committed to working on behalf of your children. We know that maintaining some sense of normalcy around school work and schedules will support your child’s mental and emotional health, while we seek to keep their skills and knowledge active. As staff members identify online resources, we must also adhere to issues of student data privacy.  We will continue to secure their safety while accessing online resources.  

We hope that with social distancing and other strategies to slow the virus (see the School Committee’s letter on COVID19), we will all help to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. 

Below is an FAQ that I hope will answer many questions.  This information was compiled by members of the Central Office team: Debra Bromfield, Deborah Rooney and Julie Shore, and Principals. I continue to be impressed with the quality of their work and responsiveness. 

On behalf of all staff members of the Canton Public Schools,  please know that the health and wellness of your children is our greatest priority, and we take responsibility to serve you and your children as best we can.  

I hope you find this information helpful. Be safe.

Respectfully,

Jennifer Fischer-Mueller, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Canton Public Schools
Frequently Asked Questions for 
School Closure, 3/20/2020-4/6/2020

The information shared below is based on our plans for March 23, 2020-April 6, 2020.  The learning opportunities teachers will share are designed to help engage our students with connections to school, reinforce concepts previously taught and keep their skills current while we are not in school together.  

If you have additional questions after reading this information specific to your child, please contact your school Principal. 

You can also contact Central Office staff with questions:

For Teaching and Learning questions:  Deborah Rooney, rooneyd@cantonma.org

For Technology questions:  Julie Shore, shorej@cantonma.org                

For Student Services questions:   Debra Bromfield, bromfieldd@cantonma.org

How will my child access the learning opportunities?

Parents and students should expect communication directly from their teacher on Monday, March 23, 2020.  Teachers will be creating opportunities for students to engage and remain active with learning with the goals of:

• Keeping students engaged and connected to school
• Helping students maintain their skills and knowledge

These new learning opportunities will not be graded. Teachers may provide feedback; however, student work will not be graded for a record of student performance.  Students will have the opportunity to make up missing work, which will be graded for the purposes of improving a student’s current grade.    

• Preschool:  Teachers will share learning opportunities with students, and teachers will share a sample schedule to assist parents with structuring the school day time.  Ms. Kilday will be in contact with parents with specifics.​​​
   
• K-2:  Teachers will use Google Classroom to share learning opportunities for each subject area weekly, and teachers will share a sample schedule to assist parents with structuring the school day time.  
   
• Grades 3-5:  Teachers will use Google Classroom to share learning opportunities for each subject area weekly, and teachers will share a sample schedule to assist parents with structuring the school day time.
   
• GMS: Teachers will create learning opportunities in Google Classroom so that students engage in each core subject area/discipline and specials weekly; and teachers will share a sample schedule to assist parents with structuring the school day time.
   
• CHS:  Teachers will create learning opportunities in Google Classroom so that students engage in each course within their CHS schedule for a minimum of two hours each week.  In addition to engagement with learning opportunities shared, students will have the chance to make up missing work. Any missing work that is made up will be graded for the purpose of improving a student’s current grade. 

What if I have questions or my child needs help with the work?

Teachers will establish daily ‘office hours’ on Monday through Friday each week. These office hours will allow specific time for teachers to connect with students/classes online and to be available for questions students or parents may have.  Specific guidance about ‘office hours’ will be coordinated by each building Principal and the schedule will be shared with parents and students.  Office hours should occur during the regular school day hours. 

Teachers will check their email at least twice daily, so they are available to communicate directly to students/families through Google Classroom or their Canton email and will respond to parents within 24 hours.  

What can parents do to help?

Our Educational Resources webpage will be updated with resources to help parents.  We will share resources to help parents learn how to navigate Google Classroom and other tools as needed, so that you can support your child.  Older students already know how to use Google Classroom, ask them to show you their classes.  Your children will have many questions, please talk with them about your expectations for their school work and ask them what they will need for support to stay connected with school during this time.  Please also speak with your child about appropriate use of social media, including Google Meet virtual hangouts.  Stay positive and help your child to stay positive about this change in our routines, as this will give us all the best chance to make it work. 

What about MCAS? 

We are awaiting guidance from the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).  It’s safe to say that the HS ELA MCAS that was scheduled for 3/24 and 3/25 is postponed.  We will adjust the ELA testing dates for Grades 3-8, such that they will not start on April 7.  We will share additional updates on this when we receive guidance from MA DESE.  

What about grades?

Elementary Report Cards:  Report cards were not released on 3/19/2020 as scheduled.  We have some technical needs to address in order for this to happen remotely.  We will be in touch with more information.  

Elementary Parent Conferences:  The Elementary Parent Conferences scheduled for April 1 and 2 are postponed. 

GMS and CHS term dates:  Term dates will be adjusted based on the length of the closure.  Students will not be graded on work from 3/23-4/6/2020.  Principal Folan and Principal Shannon will be in touch with more details.  

What about CHS Spring Sports?

The MIAA has informed districts that spring sports will not begin until Monday, April 27, 2020.  Our Athletic Director, Danny Erickson, will keep students and coaches updated as we learn more.  

What if my child needs technology support?

If you have not signed up for a Chromebook for your child and you need one, please email us at cpstechhelp@cantonma.org. Parents and students who need help with technology can email cpstechhelp@cantonma.org. This email will be monitored during school hours and you can expect a response within 24 hours.  

What if my child needs lunch?

Lunch will be distributed at Canton High School daily from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Any child who needs a lunch is welcome to get one.  

The Canton Bulldog Van will be out delivering lunches according to the schedule below:  

• Pequit Street, halfway between Washington Street and Sherman Street - 11:15 a.m.
• Canton Estate Apartments, Neponset Street, in the parking lot – 11:30 a.m.
• Waterfall Apartments, Waterfall Drive, in front of the tennis courts – 11:45 a.m.
• Arboretum/Woodfield Commons, in front of the leasing office – 12:10 p.m.
• Blue Hills Village Apartments, Randolph Street, in the circle by the pool – 12:30 p.m.

The van will be at each location for approximately 5 minutes so please come by and pick up lunch.

What is the plan for Special Education and Student Services?

Special education and EL teachers will provide additional support to help with access as they consider a student’s needs and strive to support student access to educational resources while students are working at home.  

A letter from our Director of Student Services is provided below: 

March 20, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians:

We hope this letter finds you and your family safe and healthy during the current health crisis. We thank you for your encouragement and patience this past week as we have been preparing to support our students and families during this period of school closure.  

As you may know, the Governor has ordered that public schools suspend all educational operations through April 6. He has done this in an effort to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.  The District is not providing instruction or educational services, including special education during the closure.  Evaluations and team meetings will resume when in-person contact is allowed and schools are permitted to reopen.    

In the interim, school staff, including special education teachers and other service providers, are providing enrichment activities for students to access at home.  These activities are not required or graded.  Special education staff are reaching out to check-in, and remain available to consult via email regarding the supplementary enrichment activities to address your child’s needs and interests.

If your child attends an out-of-district placement, please know that we are in contact with these programs regarding their closure and healthcare policies. It is our expectation that the program that your child attends has reached out to you to provide access to educational opportunities. If you have specific questions regarding your child’s out-of-district private or public day program or residential program, please reach out to Meghan Byrne, Assistant Director of Student Services, via email to byrneme@cantonma.org.

Please keep in mind that we are in an emergency health crisis and it is ever evolving. Therefore, our guidelines are subject to change with little or no notice depending on decisions and situations beyond our control. We will remain in contact with you as this emergency health crisis continues to unfold. We encourage you to contact your TEAM Chair with any questions.

Sincerely,

Debra Bromfield
Director of Student Services