Good afternoon, all,
I hope this email finds you and your loved ones continuing to do well and staying healthy!
This afternoon the Auburn School Committee held a remote meeting and voted to alter the 2019-2020 school year calendar, at my recommendation, eliminating April Vacation so that remote learning continues and is not interrupted. With schools being closed through May 4th, per Governor Baker, and the other guidelines still in effect - including practicing social distancing and staying at home with your immediate family as much as possible, except for essential employees - this seemed a prudent recommendation. Further, with remote learning plans now in place, we did not want to create another interruption in our students' learning as these updated plans were only recently launched. Please know that there will be no remote learning on Monday, April 20th as that is Patriots’ Day, a state holiday, but remote learning will take place on Tuesday through Friday, April 21st through the 24th.
For your planning purposes and with that vote now taken, please be advised that students’ last day of school for the 2019-2020 school year will be Monday, June 15th, with APS staff members’ final day being Wednesday, June 17th.
Many people have asked me whether we will return to school this year or not and my honest answer is, “While I certainly hope so, that is a decision that Governor Baker is undoubtedly giving serious consideration, so we will need to await his decision.” I can promise you that when I know, you will know as soon thereafter as possible. Suffice to say, though, as per the many videos that have been shared, we desperately miss our students and staff, but fully understand that the safety and well-being of all is - and has to be - the priority at this time.
THE EASTER BUNNY IS COMING TO TOWN: On a lighter note, the Easter Bunny, with the support of Auburn’s Fire and Police Chiefs, will be visiting neighborhoods across Auburn on Saturday, April 11th from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. To learn all about this, please visit their Facebook page, where all of your questions will be answered:
https://www.facebook.com/EasterBunnyVisitsAuburn/?modal=admin_todo_tour
In this time of uncertainty, how wonderful to be able to share - as the Auburn community - in this fun-filled event and I sincerely thank those who are spearheading this initiative!
Please continue to follow all of the recommended guidelines, including practicing social distancing and washing your hands regularly, take care of yourselves and your loved ones, check in on your neighbors (remotely) and please stay well.
Yours in education,
Maryellen Brunelle, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools