School closures extended through end of 2019-20

By Mike Berger

Canton School Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Fischer-Mueller announced on Tuesday that, in accordance with a new order from Governor Charlie Baker and the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Canton Public Schools will remain closed through the end of the 2019-20 academic year as a precaution against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statewide closure of schools, originally set to end on April 7 and previously extended to May 4, has been further extended through the end of the school year. The last day of school in Canton is scheduled to be June 23.

In a statement posted on the CPS website, Fischer-Mueller noted that the district’s food pick-up service will continue for the remainder of the school year. (See below for more info.)

The superintendent also reported that all athletic programs, events and after-school activities have been canceled while all fields, playgrounds and play areas will remain closed until further notice.

Fischer-Mueller said discussions about CHS graduation, prom and academic awards ceremonies will be discussed in the coming days and weeks and further information will be shared as it becomes available.

“While we are saddened that the school year will end this way, we understand the importance of keeping the schools closed during this pandemic,” she said. “Everyone has done a tremendous job working together and keeping kids engaged throughout the closure and we will continue to work hard for the remaining weeks until the last day of school.”

Fischer-Mueller indicated that remote learning would continue through the end of the school year and that “new content will continue to be introduced to students by their teachers.”

She added that the commissioner will be releasing additional guidance and recommendations to school districts within the coming days.

“During the school closure, teachers have remained vigilant and mindful of their individual students’ needs and have adjusted according to those needs,” she said. “Teachers will continue to reach out to students and families on a regular basis throughout the remainder of the school closure.”

Administrator searches continue despite closures

At the April 16 School Committee meeting, Fischer-Mueller reported continued progress with the searches for several open administrator positions, including student services director, CHS principal, and JFK principal.

Debbie Rooney, PreK-8 director of teaching and learning, is leading the student services director search and a list of finalists has been forwarded to the superintendent. The finalists will soon be made public and the next steps in the process will be outlined at that time. Fischer-Mueller said given the current limitations of a typical day in Canton for the finalists, she will be announcing virtual opportunities for multiple stakeholders to engage with the candidates.

On the search for a new CHS principal, an interview committee made up of educators, administrators, parents and students met for an orientation just prior to the school closures and will resume the process via remote meetings. Additional groundwork was completed prior to the closures, including the hosting of parent and staff forums and dissemination of a survey for families, staff, and students. The purpose of the survey was to identify leadership qualities that stakeholders would want in the next principal as well as strengths and areas in need of improvement at CHS.

The JFK principal search, meanwhile, is expected to get underway soon with Rooney leading the process. A survey of key stakeholders will be re-administered and Fischer-Mueller said Rooney will be checking in with parents and staff members who had expressed interest in participating on the interview committee. School Committee member Nichola Gallagher has also volunteered to serve on the committee …

See this week’s Canton Citizen for more School Department news, including highlights from the April 16 School Committee meeting. Click here to order your subscription today.

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