Update: Before & After School Care and COVID-19 Fall Guidance
An update from Superintendent Robert Wargo - August 5, 2021
Posted on: August 5, 2021 - 4:00pm
Dear Weymouth Public Schools’ Families,
I hope you are enjoying the summer months, and time with your family. As we look toward the 2021-2022 school year, and continue developing plans for the Fall, I wanted to take a moment to provide you with two important updates.
Update on Before & After School Care:
The district announced last month it will offer before and after school care in partnership with Champions at its elementary schools this year.
It was brought to our attention last week that the Champions registration website indicates a tentative program start date of September 7, but notes that the licensing process can take up to 90 days, which could delay opening up until October 25.
Throughout the Request for Proposal (RFP) process Champions identified the start of the school year as its projected opening. At this time, Champions is working diligently to meet all licensing requirements in anticipation to open in September. However, to obtain licensing Champions will need to hire and train staff to meet the needs of before and after school care at eight locations. Due to the national staffing shortage, it is possible that this requirement may not be obtainable by the start of the school year.
We understand that before and after school care is necessary for many families. Should Champions be unable to provide this service at the start of the school year, the district is working tirelessly to prepare a contingency plan to offer before and after school programming until Champions’ licensing is obtained. We will work to replicate the Champions program to the best of our ability to accommodate those in need. However, we may need to make some changes to hours or locations to make this initiative possible.
Enrichment and engagement extends well beyond the classroom, and to support our students we must remain committed to supporting their families too. We will keep our school community updated as Champions moves through the licensing process, and the district makes any necessary preparations for the start of the school year.
Update on COVID-19 Fall Protocols:
On Friday, July 30, 2021 the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and Department of Public Health (DPH) released new COVID-19 guidance for school districts for the Fall. At this time, administrators are reviewing all guidance prepared by DESE, DPH, and the latest guidance released by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The district is in the process of preparing its Fall 2021 COVID-19 protocols. This information is forthcoming.
Thank you for your patience and support as we continue to develop plans for next school year. We look forward to welcoming all of our students and staff back to school in September!
Thank you,
Robert Wargo
Superintendent