5. Updates on Transition Periods When Families Request to Switch in In-Person Learning:
Please note that DESE is updating the guidance on reasonable transition periods when families request to switch from remote learning to an in-person learning model. Previously, DESE indicated "ideally no more than three to four weeks" as a reasonable transition period districts could specify in their policies, if necessary, to comply with health and safety requirements. The Department is now updating this to "ideally no more than four to six weeks." Please see below for the relevant section from DESE's Remote Learning Guidance for Fall 2020, originally issued on July 24. An updated version will be posted shortly.
There may be circumstances in which, after deciding that their children should start the school year learning remotely, parents decide they would like their children to attend school in person. However, there will likely be health and safety considerations that require planning (such as maintaining appropriate distancing in the classroom), and as such, parents/caregivers should anticipate a reasonable waiting period before students are able to change from remote to in-person learning. If necessary to comply with health and safety requirements, districts may establish a policy that sets a reasonable transition period, ideally no more than four to six weeks, to plan for the transition of a student from remote to in-person learning.
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6. Mask Reminder:
Please be reminded that, as indicated in the school reopening guidance, all adults, including educators and staff, are required to wear masks/face coverings when not alone. In break rooms, all staff should maintain physical distance while eating and put their mask back on as soon as they are done.
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7. Strengthening SEL Skills During COVID-19:
Educators across the Commonwealth are putting in place a range of programs and practices to promote students’ social and emotional skills to help alleviate stress, anxiety, and isolation in the COVID-19 context. To support this work, there will be an interactive workshop, Strengthening SEL Skills during COVID-19: Addressing Problems of Practice, from 2:00-3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21. Participants will select and explore specific problems of practice through brief expert presentations, facilitated peer-learning discussions, and hands-on explorations of key resources. Interested educators should register by Tuesday, October 20 at: https://go.edc.org/StrengtheningSEL.
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8. Letter of Intent for Perkins V CTE Programming in FY22:
The Department is looking ahead to FY22 programming under the federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education (CTE) for the 21st Century Act, more commonly known as Perkins V. Perkins V is designed to develop more fully the academic knowledge and technical skills and employability of secondary and postsecondary students who enroll in career and technical education programs.
Districts that do not offer CTE Perkins programs currently and are considering offering CTE Perkins programs during the 2021-2022 school year should submit a letter of intent by filling out the following survey by Tuesday, October 27. Districts are ineligible to apply directly for Perkins funding unless there are plans in place to begin providing eligible CTE programming.
Schools and districts considering pursuing federal Perkins funding should bear in mind that there are specific program requirements and reporting, performance, accountability, and monitoring expectations. Districts should review Massachusetts definitions for Perkins V to ensure programs are of sufficient size, scope, and quality and carefully review plans for long-term sustainability. Technical, career-oriented programs such as designated Innovation Pathways or schools implementing Project Lead the Way curriculum generally meet many – although not all – of the Perkins V requirements, and this document (download) has more information about how those programs align with the grant.
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9. Hate Crime Prevention Grant:
The Department is pleased to announce the creation of a new funding opportunity to encourage the prevention of hate crimes. The purpose of this competitive, state-funded grant is to support the implementation of programs designed to prevent hate crimes and incidences of bias in public schools as defined under M.G.L. Chapter 22C, Section 32.
Competitive priority will be given to schools that have experienced hate crimes or incidences of bias since the start of the 2018-2019 school year and to applicants describing how they will establish and sustain collaboration with local organizations, including local human rights organizations that have expertise in promoting equity, building positive school climate, preventing hate crimes, and addressing bias-motivated incidents. The deadline to apply is Friday, November 6, and more information is available online.
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10. STEM Week Challenge - Register for Free Project-Based Learning Materials:
Students in K-12 tackle real-world challenges through the STEM Week Challenge from Mass STEM Hub, a program of the One8 Foundation. This week may be STEM Week, but the STEM Week Challenge can be implemented with students whenever is best for a teacher’s schedule. Sign up at for this free opportunity online.
High school students will design an app to help slow the spread of COVID-19, in partnership with Partners In Health, IBM, and PBLWorks (check out videos here); middle school students will use the engineering design process to develop an adaptive device for persons with paralysis, in partnership with Dell Technologies, Bionic Project, Inc., Project Lead The Way, and Innovative Learning Partners (check out videos here); and elementary school students will design a math game that is both fun and develops math skills in partnership with New England Aquarium and ST Math (check out videos here).
Student projects can be submitted for real-world feedback through Wednesday, November 25.
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11. Housing Help:
The state Department of Housing and Community Development has centralized information about resources for families struggling to make rent or mortgage payments due to COVID-19. Districts are encouraged to share the site, www.mass.gov/covidhousinghelp, with families.
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12. Massachusetts Migrant Education Update:
The Educational Stability team in DESE’s Office of Student and Family Support recently awarded the Massachusetts Migrant Education Program (MMEP) contract to the Collaborative for Educational Services (CES). The team and CES are working collaboratively to notify migrant families and community stakeholders of this news. Please help spread the word, as CES staff are looking forward to providing educational support services to the migrant students and families across the state. For more information, visit the CES/MMEP website or contact Christine.H.Cowen@mass.gov at DESE.
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- Virtual college fair: The racial and income disparities in education in Massachusetts are well known, and Latinx students continue to fall further behind, especially in the context of COVID-19. To address some of these disparities, and to make sure that students have access to the information and opportunities they need to make informed post-secondary decisions, In Pursuit of Equity Accountability and Success (PEAS): Latinx Students in Massachusetts Schools, in collaboration with American Student Assistance (ASA), are hosting a free virtual college fair from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 22. Their webpage includes more information and a link to register.
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