Superintendent’s Report to the School Committee
August 4, 2021
Plans for the Fall - Masks:
Mask guidance: https://mailchi.mp/doe.mass.edu/press-release-rzoc912rwn
This fall, DESE and DPH strongly recommend that all students in kindergarten through grade 6 wear masks when indoors, except students who cannot do so due to medical conditions or behavioral needs. Masks are not necessary outdoors and may be removed while eating indoors.
DESE and DPH also strongly recommend that unvaccinated staff in all grades, unvaccinated students in grades 7 and above, and unvaccinated visitors wear masks indoors, in alignment with the statewide advisory on masking.
DESE and DPH recommend that schools allow vaccinated students to remain unmasked.
Any individual at higher risk for severe disease from COVID or with a household member who is at high risk is encouraged to mask regardless of vaccination status consistent with the updated DPH Advisory on Face Coverings and Masks.
Any child or family who prefers to mask at school should be supported in this choice.
By federal public health order, all students and staff are required to wear masks on school buses at this time.
All staff and students must wear masks while in school health offices. Additional guidance for school health professionals is forthcoming from DPH.
We will notify families of the district plans as soon as possible still lots of considerations
The Delta variant is in our community
Last week there were 11 cases in our town some of which were pediatric
We need to continue to monitor these numbers over the next couple of weeks
Have a Table Top Exercise scheduled with our local health dept, discussions with the Leadership Team, and thoughts from School Committee needed.
Staff Enrolling Non-Resident Students:
There is a provision in the Teacher CBA (see below)
(Article XXI - Non-Resident Teachers' Children)
Effective for the 2014-2015 school year, non-resident teachers may be eligible to enroll their children in the Swampscott Public Schools subject to the following conditions:
Each year, the Superintendent of Schools will determine the number of available slots in each grade level for placement of children of non-resident teachers.
If there are more potential students than available slots in a particular grade level} as determined pursuant to paragraph #1 based on the seniority of the teacher/parent. In the event of a tie in seniority, a lottery will be used.
A student enrolled pursuant to the provisions of this section will no longer be eligible to attend Swampscott Public Schools when his or her parent is no longer employed by the District} with the exception that a student who has finished eleventh grade before the teacher/parents employment by the District ends shall be permitted to remain enrolled student eligibility requirements.
The determination of available space in a grade level pursuant to paragraph 1 above will be in the sole discretion of the Superintendent of Schools and will not be subject to the grievance and arbitration process.
For the 2021-2022 school year we have a total of 6 students enrolled as a result of this article.
Requests are coming in from other employees for the same benefit.
A non-union employee under an individual contract
An employee at-will
My recommendation: I am requesting the Committee vote to give the Superintendent the authority to extend this benefit to other employees at their discretion and following the procedural guidelines already in place.
Staff enrolling their children in SPS as non-residents procedure
ESSER III Grant:
Wednesday, August 11th, 2021 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM\
ZOOM INFORMATION
Topic: ESSER III Public Input Session
Time: Aug 11, 2021, 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/93166109817?pwd=dlBTaHNlclo4ZUovMTdVV0JRbVl0dz09
Meeting ID: 931 6610 9817
Passcode: 721813
Proposed and Necessary Calendar Changes:
