Medford Public Schools: Superintendent's Friday Message – April 16, 2021

Press release from the Medford Public Schools:

April 16, 2021

Para traducción al español HAGA CLIC AQUÍ 

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Pou Tradiksyon Kreyòl Ayisyen KLIKE ISIT 

Medford Public Schools 

489 Winthrop Street, Medford, Massachusetts 02155                   

April 16, 2021

Dear Mustang Community:

This week’s Superintendent’s Communication includes:

• Temporary Removal of Google Hangouts from School-issued devices

• COVID-19 Update

• Middle School Lottery Drawing Results

• Upcoming Meetings

Temporary Removal of Google Hangouts from School-issued devices:

We have received concerning information about the misuse of the communication application, Google Hangouts.  Many students use this tool as it is intended to communicate with their teachers and classmates, however, we have had incidents in which students use this tool inappropriately to share answers on tests, harass their classmates or share inappropriate material.  Because this behavior is taking place via school-issued Google accounts on school issued devices, MPS has made the decision to temporarily disable this application for all students, grades K-8.  We are aware that many students have enjoyed using Google Hangouts as a way of connecting with their peers during and after school hours, however, the misuse of this application and potential for harm compelled us to make this choice in order to provide safety for our students.  We are reviewing what additional safety measures can be added to possibly allow this feature to be reinstated in the future. 

COVID-19 Report

COVID-19 continues to be a challenge in and around the City of Medford.  We remain confident that these cases are not due to in-school transmission and we remain committed to keeping our buildings safe for all students and staff.  

On April 19th all residents of Massachusetts ages 16 and above will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.  I encourage all members of our community to get vaccinated as soon as possible in order to pave a path for normalcy.   You can pre-register for vaccine appointments here.  We must continue to maintain our vigilance and practice all public health protocols, especially: 

• Wear a mask

• Wash your hands

• Maintain physical distancing

• Avoid indoor social gatherings

• Stay home if you are sick

For those of you traveling out of state, school nurses advise parents and staff to follow the Massachusetts State Travel Advisory.  All visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, are advised to quarantine for 10 days upon their arrival. Following the state guidance will continue to keep our community safe. Exemptions to this advisory include:

• Travelers who have received a negative COVID-19 result on a test administered not more than 72 hours prior to their arrival in Massachusetts.

• Travelers who received a negative test after arrival in Massachusetts, as long as they quarantined until receiving a negative test result.

• Travelers who are fully vaccinated (i.e. who have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines OR who have received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 14 days or more ago) and who do not have symptoms. 

We will be testing students when they return to school on Monday but if your family travels out of state, we appreciate your obtaining testing from a Stop the Spread site or similar testing facility before sending your child back to school.

Middle School Lottery Results

The results of the Middle School Lottery are posted on the district website (www.mps02155.org) and blog (www.mpsadvantage.education).  Letters confirming each student’s middle school assignment will be sent to all Grade 5 students by April 22, 2021.  

Upcoming School Committee Meetings

April 26th – 5:00:  Committee of the Whole Meeting:  Selection of Advisory Committee to Rename the Columbus Elementary School

 https://mps02155-org.zoom.us/j/98188625305

April 26th – 6:00:  Regular School Committee Meeting

 https://mps02155-org.zoom.us/j/91506415713

Monday is Patriot’s Day, when Paul Revere alerted Medford’s Minutemen that the Regulars (the British) were coming. Paul Revere really did ride through Medford!  You may have noticed the brown signs marking Revere’s Ride on Main Street and High Street but you can find the entire route by visiting:  https://www.paulreverehouse.org/recreate-the-ride/.  

I hope you all have an enjoyable vacation week.  We look forward to seeing students back in school on Monday, April 26th.

Thank you for your continued support. 

Yours in Partnership for Children, 

Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent

You can view my recent commercial here.

This press release was produced by the Medford Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.