Superintendent Gormley releases updates for week of July 27, 2020

Updates include MPS reopening plans, resources in the community, important dates this week, and more.

Below you will find a draft of the Milton Public Schools Initial Return to School plans – In-person, Hybrid, Remote – at each level. These plans will be submitted to the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on Friday, July 31. On Monday, August 10, the MPS detailed plan for the anticipated return to school model will be submitted to DESE and shared with the MPS community.

Returntoschoolmilton.com continues to be the hub for all information about Milton’s safe return to school. Please visit the website and the FAQs often. Questions sent through the “Contact Us” form on the website are often answered in the FAQ section.

Please review the plans and note the opportunities below to hear the plans presented to School Committee, to submit questions, and to attend a Q&A session about a safe return to school for Milton.

MPS INITIAL REOPENING PLANS

Please see the Milton Public Schools Return to School (RTS) Presentation:
Guidance, Process, and Draft Plans at this link. This presentation contains the guiding principles and the Initial Return to School plans – In-person, Hybrid, Remote – at each level.

IMPORTANT DATES THIS WEEK
Monday, July 27: MPS Initial Return to School Plans shared with all MPS families

Tue-Thur July 27-30: Submit your questions about MPS Initial Return to School plans on this form

Wednesday, July 29: Watch the School Committee meeting at 7pm to hear a full presentation of the plans.

• Watch via Zoom Webinar (1000 attendees)
• Watch live on the Milton Access TV Facebook Page
• Watch live on Milton Access TV
• Watch live on Comcast channel 22 or RCN channel 15
• Watch the recording later on Milton Access TV Facebook Page (available immediately after) or at Milton Access TV VOD(posted within 48 hours of event, often sooner).The link to watch will also be posted on Returntoschoolmilton.com once it is available.

Thursday, July 30: Watch the 2nd MPS Return to School Q&A from 5:45-7pm. There will be a very short presentation of plans followed by the Q&A. If at all possible, we encourage you to read through the plans and/or watch the School Committee presentation before the Q&A.

• Watch via Zoom Webinar (1000 attendees)
• Watch live on the Milton Access TV Facebook Page
• Watch live on Milton Access TV
• Watch live on Comcast channel 22 or RCN channel 15
• Watch the recording later on Milton Access TV Facebook Page (available immediately after) or at Milton Access TV VOD (posted within 48 hours of event, often sooner). The link to watch will also be posted on Returntoschoolmilton.com once it is available.Watch the recording later on Milton Access TV Facebook Page (immediately after) or at Milton Access TV VOD (posted within 48 hours of event, often sooner)
• You can also submit your questions in real time during the RTS Q&A at this link

Friday, July 31: MPS submits Initial Return to School Plans to DESE for review.

Wednesday, August 5: School Committee vote on Superintendent’s Return to School plans

Monday, August 10: MPS detailed plan for the anticipated return to school model due to MA DESE and MPS community.

MA DESE GUIDANCE

We continually receive guidance from the MA Department of Secondary and Elementary Education (DESE) and these guidelines inform all decisions made in Milton about a safe return to school. We encourage you to read through these documents, which can be found at anytime on the DESE website and are linked at www.returntoschoolmilton.com under additional guidance.

• Courses Requiring Additional Safety Considerations
• Arts: Chorus, band, theater, dance, and visual arts
• Physical education
• Remote Learning Guidance for Fall 2020
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Fall Reopening Guidelines
• ​Transportation Guidance

RESOURCES IN OUR COMMUNITY

We are lucky to have a vast pool of expertise in Milton, ranging from medical and mental health professionals to logistics and technology experts and everything in between. Several Milton residents have publicly shared thoughts on reopening schools and we share them with you here.

• This article by MPS parent Dr. Monique Tello talks about our shared community responsibility in getting students and staff safely back in schools.
• MPS parents, Dr. Elissa Perkins and Dr. Westyn Branch-Elliman, are quoted in this article in the Boston Globe about the importance testing plays in a safe return to school.

The Milton Public School system does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, gender identity, transgender status, gender transitioning, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its programs, activities or operations. These include, but are not limited to, admissions, equal access to programs and activities, employment, provision of and access to programs and services, as well as selection of volunteers, vendors and employers recruiting at the Milton Public Schools. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, students, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Asst. Superintendent for Curriculum & Human Resources, Dr. Karen Spaulding, (617) 696-5040 ext. 5582.

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