GREATER NEW BEDFORD REGIONAL VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
1121 Ashley Boulevard • New Bedford, MA • 02745-2496
Tel. 508-998-3321 • Fax 508-995-7268 • www.gnbvt.edu
Preparation • Passion • Perseverance
April 28, 2020
Good Afternoon GNBVT families,
We hope that this letter finds you and your families well amidst the continued healthcare crisis impacting our country, state, and region. As you are already aware, the Governor has extended the executive order on school closure through the end of the school year and directed all schools/students complete the school year using Remote Learning plans. While the school building is temporarily closed, School remains in session through June 16, 2020.
Last Friday, the Commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released updated guidance for Phase III of the Remote Learning plan which will begin May 4th and end on our last day of school on June 16th. The new guidance from DESE includes some changes which will require us to update our remote learning plan. The guidance is included below:
Commissioner Guidelines for Instruction Released Friday, April 24th create a deeper focus in two areas for staff and students:
- Further defining the recommended elements of a quality remote learning program, including a focus on teaching the content standards most critical for student success in the next grade level, and
- Encouraging districts to move all students towards successful engagement in remote learning, with a focus on addressing fundamental needs.
In accordance with the guidelines established by the Commissioner, teachers will provide instruction/assignments to students that address content standards most critical for success in the next school year. This may involve teachers providing directions, instruction, and support on skills that had not been fully developed prior to leaving school on March 13th.
The school schedule WILL NOT change. Students have been assigned two classes per day, with Friday serving as a day where students can work on any assignments they were unable to complete during the week.
The last day of school (remote learning) for Seniors remains Friday, May 29th, 2020; provided that all seniors have passed their courses and are on track for graduation.
The last day for all freshmen, sophomores, and juniors will be on June 16th. In an attempt to ensure productive school to family communication, the school will issue two progress reports to families for Trimester 3 via the Aspen Portal on May 6th and May 28th for families to monitor student performance. Please remember that all teachers are available during the workday and will be all available from 2:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. daily to provide more immediate assistance via email.
The schedule below reinforces for students the assignments they need to complete daily during the week. All weekly assignments will be posted by Monday at 7:30 a.m. Teachers are reviewing student work, providing feedback, and utilizing the district wide grading rubric to enter student scores in the Aspen Portal for Trimester 3.
Finally, families should note that if finances have been impacted by the current Covid-19 healthcare crisis, you do have the ability to apply for assistance (SNAP) through the State of Massachusetts. Please visit https://dtaconnect.eohhs.mass.gov/ to apply for SNAP benefits or https://www.myschoolapps.com to complete the application for free or reduced pricing of school provided breakfast and lunches.
Please remember that we are here to assist you. If you have any questions, please contact a member of our team. Best wishes to you all, remain safe, and know we are thinking about all of our GNBVT students and their families.
Sincerely,
Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all students. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, homelessness, immigration status or veteran status in its education programs and activities, including admission to or employment in such programs or activities.
James L. O’Brien, Superintendent-Director
Michael P. Watson, Academic Principal • Robert J. Watt, Vocational Technical Principal
Proudly Serving the Towns of Dartmouth and Fairhaven and the City of New Bedford
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