As we enter the third week of the extended closure, I want to provide another update to families. With Governors Baker’s announcement on Wednesday afternoon to extend the closure of schools in Massachusetts until May 4, 2020, our faculty and staff members are ready to transition to an updated version of distance learning.

As a school community, and as a broader community, it is essential for each of us to continue to be exemplary Community Stewards and practice physical distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. If you, or someone in your family is feeling sick, please follow the guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH).

It is also important for each of us to stay connected with one another as our expected routines, schedules, and human interactions have shifted completely. If you, or someone in your family is struggling with the stress and uncertainty related to this pandemic, please see the guidance and recommendations from our Wellness Team.

I want to remind all of our families that, in addition to the “grab and go” breakfast and lunch available at Hedge Elementary School each weekday, there is also a “grab and go” breakfast and lunch available at Indian Brook Elementary School. Additionally, there are food distribution sites throughout our region during this extended closure. Please refer to Project Bread’s School Closure Meal Information site that shows locations for student and family meals throughout Massachusetts.

Thank you to the many families who have completed the  Rising Tide Internet Access and Device Questionnaire. If you have not already done so, please take 60 seconds to complete the questionnaire to help us as we work to be sure that each student at Rising Tide can connect remotely as we move forward on an updated plan for distance learning.

As we have communicated, through my emails to families and the Advisor calls to families, that we will be increasing our expectations for students in the updated plan for distance learning, we have had more requests to borrow a Chromebook and to come to school to pick up books and other school materials. We will have the following two times available for students to come to the school building to pick up a Chromebook loaner or their own school materials:

Since the extended closure began on March 16, our team of educators has been working to provide access to opportunities for student learning. Our teachers have been providing suggestions for practicing skills and for exploring topics related to each course through Google Classroom. We have encouraged students to stay connected and show their commitment to growing as learners by communicating with teachers through Google Classrooms and by applying the Schoolwide Objectives to helping their own families at home through these unusual and challenging circumstances.

As we transition into a more robust distance learning model on April 6, students will be required this week to engage with Google Classroom for each of their courses and will be required to complete posted assignments for each class. It is essential for each student to demonstrate this connection to their courses as we increase our expectations. It is important for students and families to let Advisors know this week of any difficulties engaging with the material through Google Classroom. On Thursday morning, Advisor groups will meet remotely through Google Hangouts Meet for a brief Advisory meeting.

Beginning on Monday, April 6, we will begin an updated plan for distance learning. This updated plan will be guided by the following two goals: