HWRSD COVID-19 Information and Resources
HWRSD continues to closely monitor the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. The health, safety, and well-being of our community, at school and home, is our top priority. At this time, the School District is unaware of any confirmed COVID-19 cases. Our Emergency Response Team is working to develop Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans. We will continue to update the community regularly to keep you informed of new developments.
Current Status
HWRSD will be closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year, HWRSD's last day of school will be Tuesday, June 16, 2020 - updated based on Governor Baker's 4/21/2020 Press Conference
Kindergarten registration for the 2020-2021 school year is now open online. Please begin the process by completing the pre-registration form at this link. The registrar will then contact you about how to complete the full registration packet.
DESE FAQ Document - posted 3/17/2020
Please read this letter regarding our plan and containing linked resources - emailed to all 3/13/2020
see Joint Hamilton, Wenham, and HWRSD press release and Unified North Shore press release - posted 3/13/2020
Remote Learning Resources and Enrichment Activities
DESE Updated Guidance: Strengthening Our Remote Learning Experience - posted 4/27/2020
HWRSD Remote Learning Model Update - shared via email to all families 04/06/2020
HWRSD Remote Learning Webpage - launched via email to all families 03/26/2020
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) letter to families: English and Spanish - emailed to families on 3/30/2020
Schedule Letters From Our Principals - emailed to families on 3/20/2020
DESE Supplemental Educational Resources - posted 3/23/2020
In-Home Strategies for Time Away From School - posted 3/15/2020
Short-term and Long-term Plan for Continuous Learning - emailed to all families and staff on 3/17/2020
Elementary Learning Resource Letter - emailed to all on 3/16/2020
Secondary Learning Resource Letter - emailed to all on 3/16/2020
Early Childhood Partners: Enrichment Activities - posted 3/15/2020
Social Distancing: This is Not a Snow Day - posted 3/15/2020
Technology - Internet Access and Devices
Stay Connected During COVID-19 School Closures with free Internet Essentials by Comcast
Need to borrow a device? Contact our Director of Information Technology, Alan Taupier at 617-233-9826 or email at a.taupier@hwschools.net
Need technology support? email helpdesk@hwschools.netMeal Distribution - updated March 18, 2020
The district Nutrition Services department is working closely with Acord food pantry and has developed the plan listed below to support students who need meals during the school closure.
The distribution will take place on Tuesdays at the Winthrop Elementary School, 325 Bay Road, S. Hamilton, MA. at 11:00 AM. We are distributing bags of groceries to families that indicate they need them. These bags will be similar to the bags we offer during the summer months; perishable and non-perishable foods that will allow you to prepare meals at home.
If you would like to participate in the emergency program, please call (978)468-0398 or email atc.donovan@hwschools.net and provide us with your name and the number of people in your household by Monday prior at 12 noon.
Acord is here to help any family who is struggling during this uncertain time, regardless of whether they qualify for free/reduced lunch. Please reach out directly to Acord if you need food assistance.
Another resource for nutrition support is Project Bread's Food Source Hotline 1-800-645-8333 TTY 1-800-377-1292
Travel Policies and School Restrictions
The Baker-Polito Administration urged all elementary and secondary schools (and all colleges and universities) to cancel international travel for the foreseeable future. There is no equivalent recommendation for domestic travel at this time. However, all domestic field trips have been postponed or canceled until further notice. This is in line with guidance from the CDC for schools, colleges, and universities.
Rescheduled: Middle/High School Trip to Spain is scheduled for February 2021
To view, Dr. Kukenberger's recent communication on the topic please click here.
HWRSD Athletics - updated April 27, 2020
Spring Sports and Spring Tournaments Cancelled
The MIAA Board of Directors (BOD) held a conference call meeting on April 24th consisting of over 30 participants representing the BOD, MIAA staff, and members of the press. The discussion was focused on the Board of Director’s response to the membership regarding the Governor’s order on Tuesday, April 21st closing all public and private schools in Massachusetts (effectively all MIAA member schools).
Motion: Cancel all 2020 spring sports and spring tournaments due to the closure of schools by Governor Baker for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (T. Arria/M. Trahan) APPROVED 16-0
At the next Board meeting, informational questions such as the ability for spring coaches to have contact with spring athletes, which have been asked for clarification to Board members, will be discussed.
The next meeting is May 13, 2020, at 12:00 pm
Meeting & Event Guidance
Community use of school buildings - Full restriction during the school closure - Some exceptions may be made for School Committee meetings and other required governmental meetings.
If you are planning an event or meeting at Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District offers the following guidance. Remember this is an evolving situation. Let your participants know that you might need to cancel at the last minute and that they should make contingency plans just in case.
- Organizers should postpone the meeting or event, or employ remote technology if possible to help avoid the spread of coronavirus. This meeting size is consistent with the guidance of our health care experts and professionals and with the policies of many peer institutions.
- The normal school schedule is being observed with heightened cleaning protocols in place
Personal Prevention Practices
We continue to encourage all members of our school community to continue daily practices that can help prevent the spread of viral illnesses including:
- Practice social distancing and say home if you are sick.
- Washing hands with soap and water, scrubbing hands for at least 20 seconds before rinsing or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60%-95% alcohol - click here to view a brief handwashing video
- Frequently clean commonly touched surfaces, including phones, tablets, keyboards, doorknobs, light switches, faucet handles, toilet flushes, countertops,
- Avoid sharing personal items such as chapstick, water bottles, eating utensils, hand towels, etc..
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when coughing or sneezing and then wash hands
For more information on this topic please click here.
General Resources
DESE Homepage - Updates and Remote Learning Resources
Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus) A Parent Resource
Talking With Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreak
For up-to-date information, visit CDC’s coronavirus disease 2019 situation summary page
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Massachusetts Department of Public Health: Information on the Outbreak of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
