I know the closure has been a challenging experience for everyone in the MERSD Learning Community, and we were all disappointed to learn that we will not be returning to campus this year. In particular, our thoughts are with the Class of 2020 and the fact that they will not be able to enjoy their traditional senior year milestones. Please know that we will make every effort to find a creative way to celebrate their high school graduation.
We are all in this together, and it is important to us that we hear from you. Don’t forget to tell us how things are going for you and your family - MERSD Check-In Survey.
Updates & Reminders
School Closure: Earlier this week, Governor Baker formally announced that Massachusetts schools will remain closed and will continue implementing Remote Learning for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. Because we have opted to eliminate three days of April Break and to continue remote learning through that period, the DESE has advised that we can end the school year on the 181st day of school. That puts our last day of school at June 19th.
End of Year Activities - All Levels: At this time no final decisions have been made with regard to the end of the year student activities and celebrations. Over the next week, the administrative team will be reviewing options and connecting with stakeholders to develop plans. It is my hope that we will have plans ready by the first week of May.
Spring Sports: MIAA has formally announced the cancellation of the spring sports season. Click here for MIAA's formal statement.
End of Year Assessments
- MCAS: MCAS is cancelled.
- SATs, ACTs & AP Tests:
- SATS: May/June SATs have been canceled. June administration of SAT has been cancelled. New administration dates are 8/29, 9/26, 10/3, 11/7 and 12/5. Students can register for these administrations starting in May. MERHS will contact students directly during the week of May 26 to provide an exact date. For each administration, the College Board is preparing to significantly expand our capacity for students to take the SAT once schools reopen.
- Students can get early access to register for August, September, and October if they’re:
- Already registered for June
- In the high school class of 2021 and don’t have SAT scores
- ACTs: will offer national test dates on June 13 and July 18. If a test center is not able to open on the national test date, a makeup test date will be provided a week later. The makeup test date for the June 13 national test date will be June 20, and the makeup test date for the July 18 test date will be July 25. See ACT.org for more information
- Students can get early access to register for August, September, and October if they’re:
- AP Tests: AP testing will be administered remotely. Please click here for AP testing dates and format: https://apcoronavirusupdates.collegeboard.org/educators/taking-the-exams/ap-exam-schedule#courseSpecific
- SATS: May/June SATs have been canceled. June administration of SAT has been cancelled. New administration dates are 8/29, 9/26, 10/3, 11/7 and 12/5. Students can register for these administrations starting in May. MERHS will contact students directly during the week of May 26 to provide an exact date. For each administration, the College Board is preparing to significantly expand our capacity for students to take the SAT once schools reopen.
Food Assistance: Free Lunch is available to all who need it.
- Pick-Up sites are currently in Gloucester (click here for information on locations). Open Table is working on adding locations
- Weekly Grocery Support is available. Please click here for more information.
- No access for students, staff, or the community.
- During the shutdown, buildings will be cleaned and sanitized.
- Construction at Memorial School continues under the guidelines for essential construction.
Pam
