March 30, 2020

Dear CPS Community,

I hope this message finds you and your family well during these very challenging times. I continue to be inspired by the stories of care and connection, from a safe distance, with the help of technology and lots of creativity. Staying at home is hard, but it’s serving an important purpose – safety for all.

I am writing today to share a letter with you from Commissioner Riley regarding Governor Baker’s announcement on March 25, that schools will remain closed through May 4, and the steps he and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) are taking. Please see the attached document.  DESE Letter to Families_COVID19 3.30.20.pdf

All staff within the Canton Public Schools remain deeply committed to your children. Staff are working together to stay connected to students and provide meaningful learning opportunities in ways that are very different from just a few weeks ago. The work of the staff in collaboration with students and families is remarkable! Here in Canton, our school system is approaching the end of the first phase of the school closure (March 13 – April 6) and preparing for the next one (April 7 – May 4).

For the first phase, an agreement was reached with the staff and School Committee taking us through April 6. We will be meeting soon to address this next phase of school closures. The Commissioner’s letter speaks to this next phase. Within his letter, the Commissioner states: “Your school and district leaders and teachers will be in touch with you as additional information becomes available.” Yes, we will be in touch. Preparation for April 7 – May 4 is ongoing and I will communicate with you when more detailed information is available.

In the meantime, we will continue with our goals of slowing the progress of COVID-19 by practicing social distancing; maintaining connections and communicating with students and families; and, providing learning opportunities and support for students. As well, we continue to provide lunches and deploy devices to students in need.  

I am enormously grateful for the work of staff across all roles within our school district. And, I am appreciative of the role parents and guardians play in securing the safety of your children and partnering with us. We are and should be proud of our school system – Go Bulldogs!

Be safe,

Jennifer Fischer-Mueller, Ed.D.
Superintendent

 

IMPORTANT HEALTH RESOURCES:

Buoy Health Care Tool: The Baker-Polito Administration announced the launch of Buoy Health’s new online resource for residents to check their symptoms and connect with the next appropriate health care resource. This tool does not replace emergency medical care, but it may be used as a support for residents during the COVID-19 outbreak to connect them with appropriate health care resources if they display coronavirus symptoms.

Buoy Health’s online 24/7 tool is free for Massachusetts residents and uses current COVID-19 guidance from the CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health.  Visit Buoy.com/mass to learn more and use the tool.

Massachusetts Launched a COVID-19 Text Message Notification System Text “COVIDMA” to 888-777 for Important Updates