Important Announcements as of June 11, 2020

Important Announcements as of June 11, 2020

Dear Families and Staff,

Similar to how I start each communication, first and foremost, I hope this email finds you and your loved ones doing well and staying healthy.  We truly will get through this, and we will do so together.  

APS Return to School Team
Commissioner Riley from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) recently issued guidance for schools to use when planning for the potential of summer programming, such as summer school or camps, notifying us that he and his team continue to work in earnest to publish recommendations regarding when and under what circumstances students and staff will return to school for the upcoming school year.  There was confusion from many, including us, that the summer guidelines were an indication of what would be expected for next school year, but Commissioner Riley has notified us that we should not make such assumptions, waiting instead for his guidance to be published. Please know that when that guidance does become available - and he has indicated we should expect it in the next week or two - it will be shared with all of you, our partners in education.  

In the meantime and as previously announced, I have established the APS Return to School Team, led by Dr. Handfield, incoming Superintendent, and Dr. Chamberland, Assistant Superintendent.  We had an overwhelming response, with nearly 90 parents and staff expressing their desire to be a part of this team.  Together we worked to create a diverse team of parents, staff and administrators from across the schools, levels and departments and we thank everyone for their interest and willingness to serve.

On Monday, June 15th, the APS Return to School Team will hold its first meeting, with 32 parents, staff and administrators embracing that work.  Important to note, though, is that the work of this team will be widely shared, with the input of all parents and staff being sought.  Finally, while their recommendations will initially be limited until state guidance is received, beginning these conversations now, we believe, makes great sense as we want to be as prepared as possible.  

Like you, we are all anxious to learn when schools will reopen and, when they do, what it will look like, but for now we ask for your patience, waiting for state guidance and for updates that the APS Return to School Team will share with us all. Thank you.

School Fields Reopened, Effective Immediately
The Auburn Public Schools, the School Committee and the Town of Auburn continue to work together to respond to issues related to the COVID-19 crisis, with the safety and well-being of our students, families, staff and community at the heart of all decisions.  

With Governor Baker having recently announced that we are now in Step I of Phase II of the State’s Reopening Plan, the School Committee voted yesterday to reopen the schools’ fields, playgrounds and courts, however, as outlined by the Governor and his Reopening Team, the regulations must be followed.

A full listing of the regulations can be found at these two links, but please be reminded of the following general guidelines:

  • All visitors to playgrounds and outdoor fitness areas, including athletic fields and courts, must wear face coverings or masks when individuals cannot maintain 6 feet distance between themselves and others.
  • Parents and guardians are responsible to seek alternate facilities if the playground, fields or courts are crowded such that social distancing cannot be maintained.
  • Children and adults who feel sick or are recovering from an illness should not visit the playground, courts or fields.
  • After visiting public spaces, users would wash their hands or use hand sanitizer.

As a member of the APS and greater Auburn community, we ask for your support of the regulations as outlined by the Governor and his team, as the goal of keeping everyone safe and healthy remains a top priority.  

Additionally, please follow the posted rules for use of the fields, including no bikes or strollers on the track; water only if you must bring refreshments onto the fields, courts or playgrounds; please put trash in the appropriate receptacles; and, in general, do everything you can to maintain the District’s fields, courts and playgrounds in the best shape possible.

Deadline for 2020-2021 Bus Applications is tomorrow:  Friday, June 12th
By recent vote of the School Committee, please know that the deadline to submit bus applications is tomorrow, Friday, June 12th. Please make note of the following important information:

The School Committee reduced the rate for this school year’s bus pass to $75, so if you have not yet completed the Google form to indicate how you would like that potential $25 balance handled, please take the appropriate survey as determined by your circumstances:I

If you have not yet paid for your child to ride the bus next school year, but did pay for your child to ride the bus during the current school year, please complete this quick Google form

If you already paid the $100 fee for your child to ride the bus next school year and you paid for your child to ride the bus during the current school year, please complete this quick Google form

Bus applications can be mailed to 5 West Street with a check made payable to the Auburn Public Schools (must be postmarked on or before June 12, 2020), dropped off at 5 West Street and placed in the lock box to the left of the front entry door, or paid online via Unipay.  Please be reminded that any late applications will be assessed a $100 late fee, regardless of whether you have to pay for the pass or not, so PLEASE submit yours on or before the June 12th deadline.  Thank you.

IMPORTANT – PLEASE COMPLETE Census Update
The U.S. Census Bureau has extended the deadline for the national census to Saturday, October 31. Individuals can respond at http://2020Census.gov, over the phone by calling the number in the invitation that was mailed to their home, or by mail. To find out the response rate in a particular area, consult this spreadsheet that tracks responses in all Massachusetts towns/cities and census tracts or a second that tracks historically hard to count towns/cities.

The completion of the national census is utilized for a variety of purposes, one important purpose being to determine the amount of federal funding provided to schools and towns.  Given the current COVID-19 crisis, accurate census data is even more important than ever.  Please help Auburn to be fully represented in the census data so we are able to receive every possible financial benefit we can.

Last Day of the 2019-2020 School Year
Please be reminded that the final day of the 2019-2020 school year for students is tomorrow, Friday, June 12th.  We wish you all a happy and healthy summer break and please know that we simply cannot wait to welcome your amazing children back next school year when we are allowed to do so!  Thank you for sharing them with us!

Please stay well, continue to practice all of the guidelines, including wearing a face covering while in public, practicing social distancing and washing your hands frequently.  Together, we will get through this.  Stay AUBURN STRONG and thank you for your continued support of the Auburn Public Schools.

Yours in education,

Maryellen Brunelle, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

 

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