The Martha s Vineyard Times
MVPS reverts to one director of student support services
Two-director model changed as longtime co-director Nancy Dugan eyes retirement.
Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools (MVPS) is hiring Hope MacLeod as the sole director of student support services a change made by the All-Island School Committee at their meeting Thursday.
Originally, MacLeod served as co-director, and was in charge of student support services for grades 8-12, while co-director Nancy Dugan was tasked with students in grades K-7.
But now Dugan is eyeing retirement at the beginning of July, and the school system has decided to revert back to a single-director model moving forward.
Greenfield School Committee signs resolution against holding MCAS testing this year
Published: 2/11/2021 4:46:34 PM
GREENFIELD At the recommendation of the Greenfield Education Association and those who spoke during its meeting Wednesday, the School Committee voted unanimously to sign a resolution asking the state to forgo MCAS testing this year.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, some speakers asked how anyone could expect students to concentrate and study during a pandemic, while also participating in high-stakes testing. Furthermore, many said they believe this is not the year to expect the results to be reliable, “valid or useful.”
Greenfield resident Doug Selwyn, author of “All Children Are All Our Children,” argued the MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) tests are “worthless and annoying.” He said they make students feel like failures, especially those whose first language is not English.
Framingham School Committee to urge state to prioritize high school seniors for COVID-19 vaccine
FRAMINGHAM The School Committee is asking the state to prioritize high school seniors for the COVID-19 vaccine.
During a recent meeting, the board discussed a resolution requesting that Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and the Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccination Advisory Group take steps to prioritize the Class of 2021 to get shots. The resolution asked that this consideration be made when and if additional dosages become available beyond the current Phase II plan.
The resolution says the move would allow high school seniors to resume in-person learning safely, noting that much of their final year has been disrupted by the pandemic.
Dover-Sherborn schools explores pool testing for coronavirus
Sarah Freedman, Correspondent
DOVER At the Feb. 3 Dover-Sherborn Regional School Committee meeting, Superintendent Andrew Keough addressed potential COVID-19 pool testing in the district. He said they are gathering details about what the state’s expectations are regarding participation rates.
He added, “We want to proceed a little further by putting out a consent form. That’s really where we would have more of an official count, and we would know whether we’re in the range.”
Committee Chairwoman Maggie Charron said she has heard concerns that increased knowledge of infections would cause students to be in school less, yet others have concerns not doing the pool testing would be a roadblock to being able to have more in-person learning in the middle and high school.
Many Parents Are Demanding That Schools Return To In-Person Learning
In many suburban public school districts in Massachusetts, in-person learning is limited.
Meredith Nierman
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Return To In-Person Learning
Parents are growing restless in some Boston suburbs. Nearly one year into the pandemic, many say they are fed up that schools remain either closed or open only part-time. Kids should be back in school, said Chris Brezski, a father of two in Newton. I m disappointed we are where we are right now.
President Joe Biden said over the weekend that “it’s time for schools to reopen safely,” repeating the lone word “safely.” But defining that has been one of the most vexing political questions of the coronavirus era. It s been a decision that has also been left largely to local leaders, sleepy school committees and vigilant teachers unions as the scientific knowledge about the virus unfolds.