Commissioner's Weekly Update

2021

July 26, 2021

1. School Gardens
2. Picture of the Week: Massachusetts History Teacher of the Year
3. Free Planning and Learning Opportunities from LearnLaunch
4. DESE Resource Corner: New Digital Literacy and Computer Science Curriculum Guide
5. New MTEL for DLCS Licensure

July 19, 2021

1. Leveraging Technology to Strengthen Student Learning
2. Apply to Join the Innovative Science Assessment Pilot
3. Competitive FY2022 Safe and Supportive Schools Grant
4. Educators Sought for MTEL Panels
5. Facilitated Workshop on Setting Priorities for 2021-22
6. Vocational Technical Education Advisory Council
7. Spaces Remain for Online STEM AP Courses This Fall
8. Child Tax Credit
9. For Your Info:
   • Connect Science Energy Institute
   • Project based learning opportunity
   • Praise for history and civics standards

July 12, 2021

1. Summer PD on Building Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems
2. Picture of the Week: Linscott-Rumford Elementary's end-of-year art project
3. Important Consideration for English Learners without 2021 ACCESS for ELLs Scores
4. Guidance on Initial Identification of English Learners in the 2021-2022 School Year
5. Reminder on Safe Kids Thrive! Training
6. Free Planning and Learning Opportunities from LearnLaunch
7. Emergency Connectivity Fund Resources and Next Steps
8. Accessible Instructional Materials Library
9. For Your Info: Summer Nights and ASA Engage Summer Series on Helping Careers

July 6, 2021

1. Acceleration Roadmap Implementation Support
2. Picture of the Week: Reading with the Safe Schools Program
3. Early-Release MCAS Data Available to Districts
4. Restraint Reporting due Friday, July 9
5. Designing Powerful Learning Experiences
6. Facilitated Workshop on Setting Priorities for 2021-2022
7. Edwin Has Changed
8. Tips and Tools to Create Safer Environments for Kids
9. Innovation Schools Annual Evaluation
10. Perkins V Public Comment
11. Vaccines Available
12. Instructional Support Network Catalog
13. For Your Info: Confronting anti-LGBTQI+ harassment

June 28, 2021

1. Board Recap
2. Picture of the Week: Whitcomb Middle School in Marlborough
3. Leveraging Technology to Strengthen Student Learning
4. Acceleration Roadmap Implementation Support
5. Emergency Connectivity Fund Program
6. Special Education Leadership Institutes
7. Summer P-EBT Outreach
8. Developing Well-Being for Students, Staff, and Families
9. New Early College Designations
10. For Your Info: Kids Count

June 21, 2021

1. Board to Meet
2. Picture of the Week: Balch Elementary
3. Clarifying COVID-19 Guidance
4. Webinar on Early Literacy Screening and Dyslexia Guidelines
5. CARES Act ESSER I Data Request
6. Facilitated Workshop on Setting Priorities for 2021-22
7. Preventing EEE
8. For Your Info:
   • Vaccine benefits
   • Massachusetts VaxMillions Giveaway

June 14, 2021

1. Further Guidance Allocating Resources to Support Recovery and Acceleration
2. Picture of the Week: Hadley Elementary School
3. Acceleration Roadmap Support
4. Reminder about Summer Opportunities
5. Draft VTE Frameworks Available for Public Comment
6. Success in Health and Physical Education Webinars
7. Juneteenth Resources
8. Guidance on Medical Waiting Rooms at Schools
9. Planning for Student Success in STEM
10. Educators Needed for MTEL Item Reviews
11. Summer and School Year Online Academic Support for High School Students
12. DESE Resource Corner: EdTech Strategic Planning Guide

June 7, 2021

1. Heat Days
2. Picture of the Week: Roberts Elementary School in Medford
3. Weekly School COVID-19 Reporting to End
4. MTEL Committees
5. DESE Resource Corner: New resources supporting culturally responsive teaching
6. Medical Emergency Response Plans Due September 1
7. Teachers Sought for CURATE Panels
8. For Your Information:
   • #MindfulMondays with InSPIRED Fellows
   • PTSD Awareness

June 1, 2021

1. Board Recap
2. Picture of the Week: School Counselor of the Year
3. Updated COVID-19 and Graduation Guidance
4. FAQ on Contact Tracing and Off-Site Graduation Ceremonies
5. Webinar on Virtual Learning in 2021-2022
6. Edwin is Changing
7. New Workshop through Thriving Minds
8. Information Session for Educators Holding an Emergency License
9. Acceleration Roadmap for the 2021-22 School Year
10. 2021-22 Educator Evaluation Implementation Resources
11. Spaces Remain for Online STEM AP Courses This Fall
12. Sexuality Education Listening Sessions
13. Teacher Diversification Professional Learning Community
14. Teacher Diversification Pilot Program Grant
15. Reminder on Restraint Reporting
16. Summer P-EBT
17. DESE Resource Corner: List of holidays
18. For Your Info: Investigating harassment

May 24, 2021

1. Board to Meet
2. Marking the Anniversary of George Floyd's Murder
3. Vaccines Available for 12-Year-Olds and Above
4. Building Resilient Schools Beyond Crisis
5. ESSER III Allocations and RFP Posted
6. Facilitated Workshop on Setting Priorities for Summer and Fall
7. Graduation Guidance
8. School Wellness Coaching Program
9. Influence 100 Now Accepting District Applications
10. Workshops on Google Workspace for Education
11. Reminder about Kaleidoscope PD Opportunity
12. For Your Info: Educator diversity efforts highlighted

May 17, 2021

1. COVID-19 Updates
2. Picture of the Week: Welcoming Students
3. Information on Vaccines for Ages 12+
4. Presidential Scholars
5. Empowering Youth-Adult Relationships Webinar
6. SEL and Wellness for Educators - Community of Practice Series
7. Grant for World Language, Heritage Language, and Dual Language Programs
8. PD Resources to Support Culturally Responsive Practice
9. Facilitated Workshop on Setting Priorities for Summer School
10. Youth Mental Health First Aid
11. Mental Health Literacy for Educators
12. Influence 100 Now Accepting District Applications
13. Summer Learning Support
14. Koplik Certificate of Mastery with Distinction
15. State Financial Aid Deadline Extended
16. Summer AP STEM & English Bridge Program
17. For Your Info: COVID-19 Harassment

May 10, 2021

1. National School Nurse Day
2. Picture of the Week: Teacher of the Year Semifinalists
3. Accountability and Assistance Advisory Council to Meet
4. Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
5. Expanding Access to STEM AP Courses
6. Building a Comprehensive School Mental Health System
7. Reminder about Kaleidoscope PD Opportunities
8. Evaluating and Selecting HQIM for ELA, Math, and Science Network
9. 21st Century Health Education Training for Families
10. CVTE Equitable Access Grant
11. District Summer School Expansion and Engagement Matching Grants
12. Building Resilient Schools Beyond Crisis
13. Nutrition Assistance
14. Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Academies Accepting Applications
15. New "After Dark" Designations Announced
16. For Your Info: Letter from Secretary Cardona to Teachers

May 3, 2021

1. Summer Learning
2. Picture of the Week: JFK Elementary School in Boston
3. Summer and School Year Programs to Accelerate Math Instruction
4. Updates to In-Person Learning Requirements
5. FAQ about Notifications to Close Contacts
6. Revised Commencement Guidance
7. Teacher Appreciation Week
8. World Languages Curriculum Framework
9. Notification Starting for Schools Selected for State YRBS and Youth Health Survey
10. Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy
11. Comprehensive School Mental Health System Opportunity
12. GSA Student Leadership Council and Summer Summit
13. Elementary Principals Early Learning Convening
14. Public Comment on Proposed Amendment to the "Lowest 10 Percent" Ranking
15. Student Opportunity Act Plans Posted

April 26, 2021

1. Public Comment Open on SEI Guidance for Career Vocational Educators
2. Reminder on State Student Advisory Council Information Sessions
3. Reminder on Ed Prep Reviewer Opportunity
4. Public Comment Sought on Proposed Amendment to Accountability and Assistance Regulations
5. Acceleration to College Program for Students Earning the Modified CD
6. Extended Licenses Will Expire July 31
7. For Your Info: Massachusetts Civic Learning Week

April 20, 2021

1. Board Recap
2. Update on Quarantine Guidance for Close Contacts
3. Picture of the Week: FAFSA Completion Campaign
4. Free School Meals Extended through Next School Year
5. Virtual Listening Sessions for Families and Those Working with Families
6. Reminder about Kaleidoscope PD Opportunities
7. For Your Info:
   • Video contest
   • Statistics in Schools

April 12, 2021

1. Pooled Testing Webinar
2. MCAS Updates
3. Massachusetts Dyslexia Guidelines
4. Free PD offerings on Digital Literacy and Computer Science
5. Summer Enrichment for English Learners
6. FAFSA Help
7. Signal Success Training
8. Innovation Pathways Designation and Planning Grant Opportunity
9. School Choice Participation
10. DESE Resource Corner: Family engagement framework
11. Emergency Rental Assistance Program
12. For Your Info:
    • Resources for first-time drivers
    • Boston Symphony Orchestra Youth Concert
    • Jazz Informance with Herbie Hancock

April 5, 2021

1. MCAS Updates
2. Picture of the Week: Welcoming Words
3. Free PPE Supplies
4. Prom Guidance
5. CVTE Programs Update
6. FY22 Charter Schools Pre-Enrollment Report
7. History/Social Science Curriculum Pilot Opportunity
8. State Student Advisory Council Information Sessions
9. DESE Resource Corner: Guide to Building Supportive Talent Systems for Educators in 2021-2022
10. Summer and School Year Programs to Accelerate Math Instruction
11. AP Exam Fee Subsidies
12. New Innovation Pathways Designations Announced
13. For Your Info: Webinar on teen mental health

March 29, 2021

1. Pooled Testing Costs Covered through End of This School Year
2. Picture of the Week: Letourneau Elementary in Fall River
3. Massachusetts Academic Excellence Roadmap
4. Special Education Transportation
5. COVID R.E.L.I.E.F. Communities of Practice Alliance
6. Single District Virtual Schools Webinar
7. Reminder about LearnLaunch Workshop on Returning to School
8. Elementary Principals April Early Learning Convening
9. Perkins V Public Comment
10. Personal Responsibility Education PD Webinars
11. Summer Grant Opportunity
12. Ed Prep Reviewers Needed
13. Available Now! GLEAM K-12 Program Grants
14. Reminder about Kaleidoscope PD Opportunities

March 22, 2021

1. Graduation Guidance
2. Picture of the Week: Welcoming Students Back
3. New FAQs
4. Survey on Summer Programming
5. Medicaid 101
6. LearnLaunch Workshop on Returning to School
7. CTE Partnership Planning Grants
8. Accelerated and Regular Early College Designation Process
9. Distinguished Educators Sought
10. PD Provider Registry
11. Student Government Day 2021
12. Safe Routes to School

March 15, 2021

1. Pooled Testing Update
2. Picture of the Week: Choose Love at Shutesbury Elementary
3. Guidance on In-Person Learning Requirements
4. Special Education Transportation
5. New FAQs
6. Reminder about Charter School Transportation
7. Accountability and Assistance Advisory Council to Meet
8. Grant for New 21st CCLC Sites
9. Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Academies Webinar
10. Professional Learning about SEL and Family Engagement for Early Childhood Educators

March 8, 2021

1. Board Recap
2. Picture of the Week: West Parish Elementary in Gloucester
3. School Staff Eligible for Vaccine Starting March 11
4. Grades 3-8 MCAS Testing Schedule Postponed
5. SEL and Wellness for Educators Community of Practice
6. Youth Risk Behavior Survey and Youth Health Survey Postponed
7. Workshop on Effective Staffing Structures
8. Kaleidoscope PD Opportunities
9. Apply to the Kaleidoscope Collective for Learning's Community Council
10. Letter from Secretary Cardona

March 1, 2021

1. Board Recap
2. Picture of the Week: Pooled Testing in Newburyport
3. Updated Guidance on Indoor Singing
4. Pooled Testing Update
5. Categories of School Staff Eligible for Vaccine
6. ESSER II Funds
7. LearnLaunch Workshop
8. Launch of YRBS Data Collection Community of Practice
9. Online Academic Support Services for High School Students
10. COVID R.E.L.I.E.F. Communities of Practice Alliance
11. Nominations and Applications Open for 2022 Teacher of the Year
12. Communities of Practice for Health and Physical Educators
13. MTEL Alternative Pilot
14. Vaccine Awareness Campaign

February 22, 2021

1. Board to Meet
2. Picture of the Week: Virtual Book Club with GSA Student Leadership
3. Information Session on Expanding STEM AP Access
4. Upcoming LearnLaunch Building Blocks Workshops
5. Help Finding Substitute Teachers
6. Elementary Principals March Book Group
7. Share-a-thon on Assessment Strategies
8. Significant Disproportionality in Special Education (258) Grant
9. Kaleidoscope PD Opportunities
10. Apply to the Kaleidoscope Collective for Learning's Community Council
11. For Your Info:
    • FEMA Youth Preparedness Council
    • Massachusetts administrator recognized

February 16, 2021

1. ESSER II RFP Posted
2. FAFSA Completion Opportunity Grant
3. Emergency Licenses
4. Updated Transportation Guidance
5. Tentative Spring 2021 MCAS Testing Schedule for High Schools
6. New Cybersecurity Profile and Resources
7. Upcoming LearnLaunch Building Blocks Workshops
8. PreK-Grade 3 Remote Learning Partnership Grants
9. DESE Resource Corner: Guidebook of Culturally Diverse Artists & Artworks
10. Financial Literacy Planning and Implementation Grant
11. Mass Literacy Getting Started Series
12. Deadlines Extended for Non-Resident Chapter 74 Admissions
13. For Your Information: Girls Who Code

February 8, 2021

1. COVID-19 Vaccine
2. Picture of the Week: Bentley Academy Innovation School
3. Pooled Testing Update
4. Vacation Reminder
5. State Coronavirus Prevention Fund Program
6. Expanding Access to STEM AP Courses
7. Upcoming LearnLaunch Building Blocks Workshops
8. ASOST Competitive Grant Opportunity and Info Session
9. Info Session for New 21st CCLC Sites
10. Digital Literacy Now Grant
11. DLCS Student Learning Devices Grant
12. Civics Curriculum Teacher Advisor Application Open
13. Moving to College Housing Scholarship
14. Additional Students Qualify for Pandemic-EBT and Free and Reduced-Price Meals
15. For Your Info: Free webinar on supporting students

February 1, 2021

1. Board Recap
2. Increasing FAFSA Completion
3. Updated CVTE Guidance for Early Childhood Practicums and Placements
4. Upcoming LearnLaunch Workshops
5. PD Opportunities on Strengthening School Mental Health
6. 2020 School and District Report Cards
7. Schools' Role in Ensuring Eligible Families Receive P-EBT
8. Educator Evaluation Update
9. Relationship Mapping
10. PSAT/NMSQT/SAT Information
11. National School Counseling Week and Mass. School Counselor of the Year
12. For Your Info: CAYL Catalyst Webinar Series

January 25, 2021

1. Board to Meet
2. Picture of the Week: Framingham School Nurses
3. Updates on the COVID-19 Vaccination Process for School Personnel
4. Update to Guidance on Air Hand Dryers
5. Upcoming LearnLaunch Workshops
6. Accountability and Assistance Advisory Council to Meet
7. Bullying Webinar
8. Family-Friendly Resources for Help with Mental Health
9. High School Science Modeling and Simulation Opportunity
10. School Wellness Coaching Program
11. For Your Info: BOKS

January 19, 2021

1. Update on Flu Vaccine Requirement
2. Picture of the Week: Pierce School in Brookline
3. COVID-19 Testing Information
4. Tentative Spring 2021 MCAS Testing Schedule for Grades 3-8
5. Elementary Principals Convenings
6. Upcoming LearnLaunch Workshops
7. Middle School Science Grant Opportunity
8. Bullying Webinar
9. Request for Temporary Changes to Federal Accountability Requirements
10. Guidance on CvRF School Reopening and Remote Learning Technology Essentials Grants
11. Honoring Teachers
12. For Your Info:
    • Girls on the Run
    • Tech tips to increase student engagement

January 11, 2021

1. COVID-19 Pooled Testing
2. Assessment and Accountability Update
3. January 2021 Frequently Asked Questions
4. Updated Supplemental Guidance for Student Groups and School Events
5. Remote Learning Practice Profile on Simultaneous Instruction
6. Preschool to Third Grade High-Quality Remote Learning
7. Family Engagement with Pinnacle Partnerships
8. Translated FAQ on Flu Vaccine Requirement
9. DESE Resource Corner: Promoting Student Engagement, Learning, Well-Being, and Safety During Remote and Hybrid Learning
10. Reminder about Student Privacy

January 4, 2021

1. High School Senior Internship Education Project
2. Draft World Languages Framework Available for Public Comment
3. Massachusetts Family-School Partnership Initiative
4. LearnLaunch Workshops
5. Professional Learning through Kaleidoscope
6. Student Learning Time Dashboard
7. Announcing GLEAM Collaboration and Preparation
8. Share-a-thon on Discourse Strategies
9. Early Literacy Screening Assessment Grant
10. Flu Vaccine Deadline
11. Teacher of the Year Nominations and Applications Open

2020

December 21, 2020

1. Board Recap
2. Picture of the Week: Student Art from Jordan/Jackson Elementary in Mansfield
3. Student Learning Time Regulations
4. Updated Quarantine Guidance
5. U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship Program
6. High School Senior Internship Education Project
7. P-EBT Benefits Extended
8. "After Dark" Designation Applications Opening Soon
9. Elementary Principals Book Group Discussion
10. Fact Sheet on Cyber Threats

December 14, 2020

1. Board to Meet
2. Picture of the Week: Worcester Public Schools Warehouse
3. Massachusetts Work Immersion Network RFP Posted
4. Update to CVTE Cooperative Placements and Internships
5. Early Literacy Opportunity
6. DESE Resource Corner: Leveraging Student Teachers to Support Flexible Staffing Models
7. MassHealth School-Based Medicaid Program
8. Skills Capital Grants
9. For Your Info: National Christmas Tree Display

December 7, 2020

1. Updates to MCAS and ACCESS Schedules and Participation
2. Mask Distribution
3. BinaxNOW Tests
4. Health and Physical Education During COVID-19
5. Student Opportunity Plans
6. Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students
7. Local Contribution Study Released
8. For Your Info: Technovation Girls Massachusetts Challenge

November 30, 2020

1. Board Recap
2. Picture of the Week: Colrain Central School
3. Significant Disproportionality in Special Education
4. Introducing the Massachusetts Work Immersion Network (MassWIN)
5. Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Dysgraphia PD
6. Workshop on Designing Learning Experiences for Equity
7. Health and Physical Education During COVID-19
8. Professional Learning through Kaleidoscope
9. Growing Literacy Equity Across Massachusetts (GLEAM)
10. DESE Resource Corner: Superintendents' Checklist
11. For Your Info: Free PD on experiential learning

November 23, 2020

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to Meet
2. Picture of the Week: West Street Elementary School in Southbridge
3. Webinars on Risk Reduction Strategies
4. Updated Quarantine Guidance
5. Health and Physical Education During COVID-19
6. InSPIRED Fellowship Application Now Open
7. OPTIC Content Fellows Application Now Open
8. BinaxNOW COVID-19 Testing
9. Guidance on Preventing and Addressing Hate and Bias Incidents
10. DESE Resource Corner: Updated web pages for Strategic Initiatives and the Kaleidoscope Collective for Learning

November 16, 2020

1. Serving English Learners with Disabilities
2. Picture of the Week: Carlisle Public School
3. LearnLaunch Workshops
4. Professional Learning through Kaleidoscope
5. Reminder of Edgenuity PD for Partnering Districts
6. Holiday Reminders
7. New College Housing Scholarship for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
8. For Your Information:
   • Mental Wellness During Virtual Learning Grant
   • Artemis Moon Pod Essay Contest
   • Poetry Out Loud for High Schools

November 9, 2020

1. Updates to Guidance on Health Metrics
2. Picture of the Week: Paton School in Shrewsbury
3. Mask Guidance
4. Elementary Principals Early Learning PD Series
5. AP Registration
6. Reminder about Free Hotspot Opportunity
7. Transition to In-Person Learning Support
8. LearnLaunch Workshops
9. November Share-a-Thon
10. Deadline Extended for Hate Crimes Prevention Grant Applications
11. VTE Framework Revision
12. For Your Information: Family-friendly help with mental health

November 2, 2020

1. New FAQ Installment on Ventilation in Classrooms
2. Picture of the Week: Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School
3. Webinar on COVID-19 Risk Reduction Strategies for Superintendents and Facilities Directors
4. T-Mobile Project 10Million
5. Deadline Extended for U.S. Presidential Scholarship Nominations
6. 2020 School Health Profiles Data Collection Concluding
7. LearnLaunch Workshops
8. Updates to Edwin
9. Early Learning-Related PD Opportunities
10. Building Equitable Supports for Children with Disabilities
11. Mass Literacy
12. Professional Learning through Kaleidoscope
13. InSPIRED Statewide Affinity Network
14. Support for Designing Transitions to Full or Partial In-Person Learning
15. DESE Resource Corner: Good Question!
16. Additional Vendor for Screener and Diagnostic Assessments
17. New Website to Help Prevent Child Sexual Abuse
18. Innovation Pathways Planning Grants Announced
19. For Your Information: MassCUE/MASS Conference

October 26, 2020

1. Board Recap
2. Pictures of the Week: 2021 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year
3. Upcoming LearnLaunch Workshops
4. Professional Learning through Kaleidoscope
5. PD for Edgenuity and FLVS Global Districts
6. Updates and FAQs About History, Social Science, and Civics
7. For Your Information: Statistics in Schools

October 19, 2020

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to Meet
2. Picture of the Week: Rowe Elementary
3. Requirement to Report COVID-19 Data to DESE
4. Snow Days
5. Updates on Transition Periods When Families Request to Switch in In-Person Learning
6. Mask Reminder
7. Strengthening SEL Skills During COVID-19
8. Letter of Intent for Perkins V CTE Programming in FY22
9. Hate Crime Prevention Grant
10. STEM Week Challenge - Register for Free Project-Based Learning Materials
11. Housing Help
12. Massachusetts Migrant Education Update
13. For Your Information: Virtual college fair

October 13, 2020

1. Fall Reopening Frequently Asked Questions
2. Picture of the Week: Billerica Memorial High School
3. Update on Wind and Brass Instrument Use
4. Free School Meals through End of School Year
5. Workshops about the First Three Months of School and Supporting Parents
6. Virtual Manufacturing Day
7. National Principals Month
8. PD Related to Edgenuity and FLVS
9. MyCAP PD Series
10. January High School ELA and Mathematics MCAS Tests
11. DESE Resource Corner: New resources to support educator evaluation in 2020-2021
12. For Your Information:
    • Family survey from Boston Children's Hospital/Children's Mental Health Campaign
    • Lights On Afterschool

October 5, 2020

1. Board Recap
2. Picture of the Week: A Remote STEM Project
3. Youth Mental Health First Aid
4. MTEL Item Reviewers Needed
5. Integrating SEL into Academic Learning Grant
6. Elementary Principals PD Series
7. Career and Technical Education Partnership Grants
8. Additional Vendor for Screener and Diagnostic Assessments
9. October is Fire Prevention Month
10. DPH Survey on COVID-19's Impact
11. School Immunization Surveys
12. Food Security Grants

September 28, 2020

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to Meet
2. Picture of the Week: Balch Elementary School in Norwood
3. National Blue Ribbon Schools
4. Remote Learning Technology Updates
5. Leveraging Student Teacher Candidates
6. Opportunity for High Schools to Implement Science+C Pathway
7. School Wellness Coaching Program
8. DESE Resource Corner: Work-based learning units
9. STEM Week Coming Soon
10. Flexibility for 21^st Century Community Learning Centers
11. MEFA Webinars
12. Update on DESE Monitoring
13. For Your Information: Red Sox Virtual STEM Day

September 21, 2020

1. COVID-19 Reporting
2. Picture of the Week: Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School
3. Fall Reopening Frequently Asked Questions
4. Families of Students with Disabilities
5. U.S. Presidential Scholarship Nominations Sought
6. Competitive FY21 Safe and Supportive Schools Grant
7. Workshops on Engaging Students in Deeper Learning
8. Additional Vendor for Screener and Diagnostic Assessments
9. STEM AP Access Expansion Grant
10. School Emergency Planning and COVID-19
11. Student Members Needed for State and Regional Student Advisory Councils
12. Careful Hiring Advisory
13. Charter School Amendments and Applications for Renewal
14. Chapter 70 Local Contribution Study
15. For Your Information: Free student support courses through BC

September 14, 2020

1. Mobile Rapid Response Unit
2. Picture of the Week: The Bromfield School in Harvard
3. Updates to COVID-19 Protocols
4. Transportation of Non-Public School Students
5. Remote Learning Technology Updates
6. No-Cost, DESE-Approved Screener and Diagnostic Assessments
7. Civics Literacy Conference
8. Anti-Hazing Data Collection
9. For Your Information:
   • "I, Too, Am the Dream" Contest
   • USA Biolympiad

September 8, 2020

1. Additional Information for School Health Offices
2. Back-to-School Resources
3. Enrolling New Students, Consistent with COVID-19 Travel Order and McKinney-Vento Act
4. Additional Flexibility for Educator Licensure and Staffing for the 2020-21 School Year
5. Updated List of Holidays
6. FAQs on Remote Learning Enrichment Centers Established by School Districts
7. Student Members Needed for State and Regional Student Advisory Councils
8. DESE Resource Corner: New Family Portal on DESE Website
9. Vocational Technical Advisory Council
10. Literacy Development Grant
11. For Your Information:
    • Census reminder
    • Diversifying the Educator Workforce

August 31, 2020

1. Supplemental Information and Resources for Remote Learning
2. Summer Meals Program Extended Through December
3. Updates to CVTE Guidance on Health Careers and Early Childhood Education and Care
4. Supplemental Guidance for Student Groups and School Events
5. Additional Childcare Options for Remote Learners
6. Educational Options for the 2020-2021 School Year
7. Vocational Technical Advisory Council
8. Input Sought on Required "Lowest 10 Percent" Calculation for FY21 and FY22
9. For your info:
   • Cube satellite challenge
   • Education Pioneers COVID Response Fellowship

August 24, 2020

1. COVID-19 Updates
   • Access to Mobile Testing
   • Joint Memo Clarifying Key Health and Safety Requirements for Schools
   • Regional Calculations
   • In-Person Instruction for Vulnerable Students
   • Joint Guidance on Modified Sports Seasons for School Year 2020-21
   • Flu Vaccination Requirement
   • Teachers and Critical Support Staff in Remote Learning Districts
   • Children of Teachers
   • New SOA Plan Deadline
2. Access to Mobile Testing
3. PD Offerings in August and Early September
4. Preparing for the First Six Weeks of School
5. 2020-21 EWIS information Available
6. School Nutrition Update
7. Become a Youth Mental Health First Aider
8. PD Provider Registry Application
9. For Your Information: EEE Information

August 17, 2020

1. Advisory on Compensatory Services
2. Picture of the Week: Student Artwork at Malden’s Ferryway School
3. English Learner Education Webinars
4. Final Call for Instructional Materials Evaluation and Selection Network
5. Webinar to Navigate SEL Recommendations and Resources
6. Help Planning Hybrid and Remote Learning
7. Remote Learning Partner Overviews for District Leaders
8. Interpreting COVID-19 Metrics
9. For Your Information: Webinar on how to support remote learning

August 10, 2020

1. Fall Reopening Plan Deadline Extended to August 14
2. Noteworthy Practices from the Preliminary Reopening Plans
3. Deadline for Remote Learning Partner Interest Survey Extended
4. Refining Hybrid and Remote Learning Models
5. School Emergency Planning and COVID-19
6. PD Offerings in August and Early September
7. Requirement to Transport Commonwealth Charter School Students
8. OSD Support for Districts
9. Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
10. EWIS and Data Usage Sessions
11. Updated Save the Date for the Civics Literacy Conference
12. For Your Information: #MaskUpMA

August 3, 2020

1. Additional Guidance and Recommendations for School Reopening
2. Picture of the Week: Massachusetts History Teacher of the Year
3. Partnership with LearnLaunch
4. Principal Information Session on My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP)
5. Barr Foundation's Massachusetts Ready Fund
6. Assessments of School Building Facilities, HVAC Systems, and More
7. Additional CARES Act Funds to Benefit Education

July 27, 2020

1. Additional Staff Training Days this Fall
2. Guidance on Courses Requiring Additional Safety Considerations, Remote Learning, Transportation, and Facilities
3. Picture of the Week: Uxbridge High School Graduation
4. Preparing to Transition Young Children Back to School
5. Food Assistance Resources to Share with Families
6. Center for Instructional Support Program Catalog 2020-2021
7. Data Collection for the 2020 School Health Profiles Surveys Resumes
8. For Your Information:
   • 2020 Summer Nights Initiative
   • Keeping kids active this summer

Last Updated: July 27, 2021