Dear SSCPS Families,

Good afternoon. The purpose of this email is to provide you with an overview of some of the statewide changes to the health and safety protocols we have been following.  Attached for your review please find the latest Frequently Asked Questions installment from the DESE. Yesterday, the Commissioner of Education met with school leaders to discuss the latest guidelines and the impact it will have on the remaining days of the school year. We will transition to the new guidelines on Monday, May 24. This will allow students, teachers, and families to prepare for the protocol shifts safely. The most significant changes to our current protocol are, first, students no longer have to wear masks outdoors, even if distance cannot be maintained. And second, schools no longer have to avoid sharing objects. 

Although the new guidance points to shifts in a positive direction, it is important to remember that the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet over. We are asking all families to discuss the changes with their students to alleviate any concerns they may have.  Teachers will be doing the same in classrooms so that the messaging is consistent and reassuring. Because students will be able to remove masks outside for longer periods of time we are recommending that families send children to school wearing clothes with pockets for clean mask storage during outside time. We continue to recommend that students come to school with two masks; one to wear, and one as a spare. 

Yesterday DESE released updates to the K12 Graduation Guidance. Changes were made based upon the most recent CDC and state guidance. The May 19, 2021 updated graduation guidance is also attached for your convenience. Families of graduating seniors may expect additional communication early next week. 

Thank you for your ongoing flexibility and commitment to our school. 

Sincerely,
Alicia

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Alicia E. Savage
Executive Director
South Shore Charter Public School
781.982.4202 Ext. 101
www.sscps.org

Dear Families,
The DESE recently made some changes to MCAS administration for this spring. Please find our updated MCAS schedule below. These dates are significantly later than they would be in a typical year.
We are working on a plan to administer the tests in a way that has as little impact on instructional time as possible. The DESE has provided a remote testing option for students in grades 3-8 only. All remote students in grades 3-8 will test remotely. Remote 3-8 families can expect more information about remote testing in the next few weeks.
2021 MCAS Dates ​