Several members of the Holliston Public Schools, including School Committee member Lisa Kocian, participated in a series of sessions co-sponsored by Holliston PTO Mindshare and Diverse Holliston.  These sessions led by Tonia Florence Walker, M.Ed.

provided a poignant overview of the history of racism and prejudice in America.  Linked here is a list of resources provided by Tonia Florence Walker, M.Ed.  Please note that not all resources have not been independently checked by HPS. 

Dear Families:

Due to power outages and roads remaining blocked with trees and wires down, school will be closed today. Eversource indicating many houses are out of power, so we will not be able to be remote. We were hoping power might be back overnight, but I am hearing that roads are not cleared and power has not been restored. Sorry for the late notice. Stay Safe!

Dr. Susan E. Kustka

Interim Superintendent

September 12, 2020

Dear Families:

Starting on Wednesday, September 16th, PreK-3 will begin a staggered start towards daily, in-person instruction. Grade 2 and Montessori Ages 6-8 at Placentino and Grade 3 at Miller will begin in-person instruction on September 16th.  Grade 1 will begin in-person learning on Thursday, September 17th.  Kindergarten will begin in-person learning on Friday, September 18th and Preschool will begin in-person instruction on Monday, September 21st.

In grades PreK-1, while they await to begin in-person instruction, students will meet with their teachers remotely for a series of activities and virtual orientations. Teachers will start the day at 8:45 for a whole class meeting and will then virtually meet with smaller groups of students throughout the day to orient them to the classroom, review arrival procedures, and to explain what they should expect for their first In-person day. The purpose of these interactions is to help orient students to the classroom and school environment while also building relationships with their teacher and classmates.

Starting on September 21st, Grades 4-12 hybrid students will begin a staggered start towards daily in-person instruction. The district is aiming to begin in-person instruction by cohort in Grades 4 & 5 and Grades 6-8 on Monday, September 21st.  Then on Tuesday, September 29th, we will aim to begin in-person instruction by cohort at Holliston High School in Grades 9-12.  In order to reach this timeline, the district will be doing everything in its power to recruit and hire for open positions, and to deploy administrators and other non-teaching staff to support supervision and safety needs in creative ways. Below you will see additional detail by grade level start dates. We appreciate your patience and understanding, as we forge ahead during uncharted times in education.

However, should staffing needs not be resolved so that proper safety protocols are able to be ensured, it may be necessary to delay the in-person start dates for grades 4-12 a bit longer, but this is not our intention at this time. Should this need to occur related to safe staffing needs, we will communicate this to families as early as possible. We are not alone, as many school districts are competing to find additional staff for safety positions and/ or to fill positions created from late resignations or leaves of absence related to Covid-19. 

As you know, we have asked for parent volunteers to support the in-person start dates, and there are still about 25 open school positions, and many bus monitor openings. These are available for new hires to apply for or volunteers to temporarily fill, to aid this process. Here is the survey link for volunteers and the Schoolspring link to apply for a position. As stated the other night, “It takes a village to raise our children/ educate the students” of HPS, and they/we need you.

Sincerely,

Dr. Susan E. Kustka

Interim Superintendent

Full In-person 

Wednesday, September 16th:

In-Person Learning Schedule:

• Grade 2 and Montessori Ages 6-8 will begin in-person instruction at Placentino.

• Grade 3 will begin in-person instruction at Miller.

Thursday, September 17th: 

In-Person Learning Schedule

• Grade 2 and Montessori 6-8 will continue with in-person learning

• Grade 3 will continue  in-person instruction at Miller.

• Grade 1 will begin in-person learning

Friday, September 18th:

In-Person Learning Schedule

• Grade 2 and Montessori 6-8 will continue with in-person learning

• Grade 1 will continue with in-person learning

• Grade 3 will continue  in-person instruction at Miller.

• Kindergarten will begin in-person learning 

• Preschool will continue to meet with their teachers remotely as described.

September 21st:

• Preschool will begin In-person learning (joining grades K-2)

Hybrid Model Grades 4-12

Wednesday, September 16- Friday, September 18

• Grades 4-12 would all begin hybrid remotely 

  • Grades 4 & 5 hybrid would be remote for the first 3 days

  • Grade 6-8 would be remote  for the first 3 days

  • Grades 9-12 would be remote  for the first 3 days

Monday, September 21 

• Miller Grades 4 & 5 and RAMS Grade 6-8 hybrid will aim to begin in-person learning by cohort.

• Holliston High would remain remote for the week

Tuesday, September 29

• Holliston High School in grades 9-12 will aim to begin in-person learning by cohort. 

• All schools are in full hybrid mode.