Greetings MERSD Community!
It is always sad to say goodbye to summer, but I am very excited for the school year to begin. Although we will be masking and distancing, all other school programs, operations, and activities will resume. Our priority goal for the year is maintaining in-person learning and minimizing risk to the health and safety of all in attendance. I am confident that our layered mitigation plan will allow us to remain in full in-person
operation throughout the year.
In addition to mitigation efforts, vaccination is a critical component of our safety plan. I ask that you please vaccinate your eligible children to help us keep our staff and students safe at school as we work toward achieving the Department of Education benchmark for relaxing the masking requirements. I will be providing regular updates on the status of COVID’s impact on the schools at School Committee meetings. School Committee will continue to be offered in an online format, and I encourage you to participate. The School Committee calendar may be found here.
Over the next week, principals will be sending you information about daily operations at the school level, and I will be sending out announcements introducing our new staff, outlining upcoming activities, and explaining the “test and stay” program. In September, we will be working to finalize our strategic plan, including goals to address diversity, equity, and inclusion. This fall MERSD will see the completion of two large facilities projects. In September, we will host a community gathering to celebrate the opening of the Essex Elementary playground. In October, we will hold the Memorial School ribbon cutting ceremony, which will include tours and open house hours for the general public.
I thank you for your ongoing support of our students and of our schools. I encourage you to stay involved. Schools are a part of their communities and work best when the lines between home and school remain open. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher, counselor, or building Principal. I also welcome and value your input, so please reach out if you need assistance with an issue.
