School officials: Learning continues despite closures

Although classrooms have been devoid of students since March 13, learning has continued in the Canton Public Schools over the past few weeks, thanks to a massive effort of Chromebook distribution, online learning, and email communication from teachers and staff to students.

School Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Fischer-Mueller and members of the School Committee, meeting remotely on Thursday evening, March 26, praised central administrators and principals, teachers and staff for unifying in an impressive fashion to continue learning in a new virtual environment.

Fischer-Mueller announced that, in accordance with an order from Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, Canton schools will remain closed through May 4 as a precaution against the COVID-19 pandemic. The order extends the original statewide closure, which had been scheduled to end on April 7.

According to Governor Baker, the extension will give school administrators and educators added planning time to ensure students can complete course requirements, as well as provide teachers with time to expand remote learning opportunities.

Over the next five weeks, students will continue remote learning activities with the guidance of their teachers and school leaders. Teachers will also continue to reach out to students and families on a regular basis.

All athletics programs, events and after-school activities will also remain suspended and fields, playgrounds and play areas will be closed until further notice. It is hoped that CHS spring sports could resume on May 4 if all goes well.

In a letter to CPS families and staff, Fischer-Mueller said the recommendations for remote learning that superintendents have received from state Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley cover “much of what we are currently doing and may inform our work moving forward.”

“I have participated on numerous conference calls, reviewed draft documents and communicated with many other superintendents about their districts’ plans,” said Fischer-Mueller. “I am honored to say that as a result of the work of CPS staff across all roles … we should be very proud of our school district and our partnerships with families, students and the town of Canton! You’ve heard it before, we’re all in this together, and I am deeply grateful to be a part of this work with all of you. More to come.”

At the March 26 School Committee meeting, Fischer-Mueller invited key administrators to share some of the work they have done to facilitate remote learning and support Canton’s students.

* Julianne Shore, director of technology and digital learning, reported that as of March 24, 415 Chromebooks had been distributed to students. She added that a CPS Technology Helpline has been established to help students and families. Over 100 emails are exchanged daily, and three daily virtual meeting sessions have been set up to assist staff. Fischer-Mueller thanked the School Committee as well as town meeting members for authorizing the funding to set up the revamped Technology Division and enable additional Chromebook purchases.

* Debbie Rooney, preK-8 director of teaching and learning, said following the distribution of Chromebooks, the first task for principals and teachers was to get lessons from the Technology staff on how to use them. The second was to choose Google Classroom as a consistent platform for all grade levels (except for pre-K) …

See this week’s Canton Citizen for more highlights from the March 26 School Committee meeting. Click here to order your subscription today.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Apr 3 2020. Filed under News, Schools. Both comments and pings are currently closed.