U.S. Supreme Court Issues Opinion In Landmark Case Addressing Public School Discipline of Student Speech That Is Online And Off-Campus
Case summary of U.S. Supreme Court's decision on student's off-campus speech.
DESE Updates Reopening Transportation Guidance
Changes in guidance regarding school transportation and social distancing.
CDC Guidance for Halloween
Halloween Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses. There are several safer, alternative ways to participate in Halloween. If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters. Lower risk activities [...]
State Labor Board Rules Andover Teachers Participated in Illegal Strike
In a decision that could upend any plans to disrupt the opening of school across Massachusetts, the state labor relations board ruled on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, that Andover teachers engaged in an unlawful strike when they refused to enter school buildings last week for training. The decision affirmed the Andover School Committee's position that [...]
Influenza Vaccinations Required For All Massachusetts Students
Last month, the Department of Public Health (DPH) announced that all Massachusetts students will be required to get a flu vaccine by December 31, 2020. The mandatory immunization requirement aims to reduce the overall impact of respiratory illness among students as an added precaution during the COVID-19 pandemic. The requirement applies to all children 6 [...]
Governor Baker Signs Order Allowing Remote Learning Pods
In response to the fact that many schools across the state will be starting remotely or with a combination of in-person and remote instruction (hybrid model), the Baker administration has taken action to allow families to form small remote-learning co-ops, after-school programs to operate during typical school hours, and churches and community centers to host [...]
DESE Transportation and Facilities Guidance
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has released guidance regarding Transportation and Facilities to assist school districts in planning for a possible Fall Reopening. Fall Reopening Transportation Guidance, July 22, 2020 Fall Reopening Facilities and Operations Guidance, July 22, 2020 Below is a copy of the On The Desktop Message from Commissioner Riley [...]
DESE Two-Step Process and Template for Fall Reopening Plans
On July 15, 2020, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released information regarding a two-step process for submitting Fall Reopening Plans and a online form/template to be used by districts. Two-Step Process for District Fall Reopening Plans, July 15, 2020 Below is the text of the On the Desktop message from Commissioner Riley [...]
Additional Guidance on Reopening and FAQs
On Friday, July 10, 2020, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released an On The Desktop message with additional guidance on Fall Reopening Plans. The Initial Reopening Guidance issued on June 25, 2020 provided that districts' plans would be due in August. The revised guidance sets the due dates for districts to submit [...]
Initial Fall Reopening Guidance
[Message from Commissioner's Weekly Update, June 29, 2020] On Thursday, June 25, DESE released initial fall school reopening guidance [download] following weeks of collaboration with stakeholders and the medical community. The guidance calls for schools to reopen this fall while meeting safety requirements, including the use of masks for all but the youngest students and [...]