March 17, 2020

Dear Millis Families,

Let me begin by thanking you for your patience and support during these unusual times. While our schools are empty, we are continuing to work to identify opportunities and strategies to minimize the significant impact on learning that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on our students and families.

As you may have seen on the news, Governor Baker has issued updated orders based on the status of COVID 19 (Coronavirus) cases in the Commonwealth. Effective, Tuesday, March 17, 2020:

• There will be a ban on large gatherings over 25 people. (the President has suggested a max. of 10)

• All Massachusetts schools will close for 3 weeks and can re-open on April 6th at present.

  Support of Continued Learning and Wellness

  It is a well known fact that all of us benefit from consistency and predictability in our day to day lives. The current challenge has the potential to place all of these necessities in jeopardy. We hope that families will take a few minutes to talk together about consistency, predictable schedules, and connection.

  The next three weeks home will be far less challenging for ‘work from home parents/guardians’ and on the health of our family units in general if we can maintain consistency, predictable schedules, and connection.

Beginning on Monday, March 23, our faculty and staff will provide additional alternative enrichment learning opportunities for our students. These will be developed collaboratively and communicated to students directly by educators across all of our content areas. These learning experiences are not intended to replicate the regular school day but rather are an opportunity to provide continuity of learning and connectedness for our students.

Support of Our Families

Our Food Service Department will work to ensure that our families are supported with meals during this challenging time. Due to the generous donation from a community member, we can offer this to all families in need.

Daily breakfast and lunch pick-up:? A “grab and go” breakfast and lunch will be available for pick-up, once a day outside of the Millis Middle/High School main entrance from 8 AM to Noon. Parents/guardians will be able to pull-up to the front entrance of the High School and pick up their meals without having to leave their vehicle.

You will also shortly receive information regarding how the district will support families who lack high speed internet devices with which to stay connected to their teachers.

Our administrative team has worked hard to develop ways that we can support our staff and families. On behalf of the district, I wish to extend my hopes to you for good health in the coming weeks and beyond. Please know that even though the doors to our schools are not open, our commitment to support the students, faculty, and staff within the Millis Public School has not changed. In the coming weeks, email is the best way to reach anyone within the district. Email addresses can be found on our webpages at www.millisschools.org.

Sincerely,

Nancy L. Gustafson
Superintendent of Schools

The Millis Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or homelessness.