****Important Announcements****

March 25, 2020 Update:

Governor Baker announced this afternoon that he was extending the school closure period until May 4. This order applies to all K-12 school districts and non-emergency child care programs. Massachusetts Superintendents will learn more details about the educational platform to support student learning during this extended school closure on Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. when Commissioner Riley will lead a conference call for the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents.

Over the past two weeks, the North Berkshire School Union Admin Team has been meeting and communicating on a regular basis to plan and prepare for a longer school closure. The principals have also been collaborating with their staff members to discuss ways to effectively communicate with families as we plan to support student learning using a variety of strategies. The NBSU schools have been prioritizing consistent two-way communication with our students and families during the current school year and that is even more important now as we work together with our families to educate our children during this challenging time.

As always, the main priority for me, and the entire NBSU educational team, is the health and safety of our students, families, and school communities. The medical experts have continued to emphasize the importance of social distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19 and put an end to this pandemic. While it is important for everyone to get fresh air and exercise, it is also crucial for everyone to follow the main rules of social distancing: wash your hands regularly and STAY HOME! If we continue to take this seriously and work together on this plan, we can help to stop the spread of this virus.

As soon as we have more information on Friday, I will be working together with the NBSU Admin Team, the NBSU Joint School Committee, and the NBSU teachers and staff to update our educational plan to support our students and families.

Stay safe and healthy,

John