Message to Families - May 28, 2021

Dear Weymouth School Community, 

 

Thank you for your understanding and partnership, all year long, as we worked through the many changes and challenges this school year.  We know it wasn’t easy, and we truly appreciate your support.  Our parents, caregivers, and families are our greatest partners, and we value each of you as a critical part of our team. 

 

This weekend we can expect to see changes in the community as COVID-19 restrictions are eased in Massachusetts, and the statewide mask mandate is lifted in most settings as of tomorrow. We are encouraged by the decrease in daily case counts, and increase in vaccination numbers.  We have all looked forward to a return to normalcy, and these changes offer us a renewed sense of optimism for the future. 

 

Last week, following the Governor’s update, our school mask protocol was revised.  Masks will still be required indoors for students, staff, and all visitors throughout the district until the end of this school year. However, our mask protocol for outdoor spaces has been modified, and states:

Masks are no longer required outdoors for students.  This includes during recess, physical education, sports, or any outdoor learning environment.

Masks are no longer required for school personnel or any adult outdoors at a school activity as long as the individual is vaccinated, or social distancing can be maintained.

  

We are excited to announce our Health Services Department, in coordination with Brewster Ambulance, will offer a vaccine clinic for our students, staff and their families ages 12 and older on June 7 and June 28 at Weymouth High School.  A registration survey was distributed via email this week.  If you did not receive an email, and would like to register yourself or your child, please click here: vaccine registration form. 

 

This month we celebrated all school staff as we spread thanks and appreciation for their exceptional efforts this school year.  The month of May is also Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a commemoration of particular importance this year.  A global pandemic has shaken our communities to the core, revealing long-standing and often unacknowledged inequalities. Please remember to take time to support each other as we try to make sense of these times.   For a list of resources from our SEL team, please click here: AAPI Resources.

 

As the month comes to a close, we honor all those who have lost their lives defending our country and freedoms, and celebrate their families.  In the words of Elmer Davis, "This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."  There will be a “rolling” Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 31, to honor our bravest heroes and their families beginning at Weymouth High School at 11:00AM.  

 

I hope you enjoy the long weekend with your family, and I look forward to seeing many smiling faces (outdoors) in the weeks ahead!

 

Thank you,

Kathleen Smith, JD

Superintendent