Good afternoon Maynard Community:

In September 2019,  Maynard Public Schools opened its doors after a busy summer renovating Green Meadow Elementary School and searching for new leadership. The year in review has certainly proven to be interesting. The fall found us facing the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)  a threat that forced us to re-evaluate how to handle outdoor activities. This spring has been no less challenging. We find ourselves grappling with the impacts of the global pandemic,  navigating the health and economic impacts of the world as well as the implications it has had on education. We have been faced with establishing  a “new normal” in the district with remote learning that focused on teaching and learning while addressing the social emotional health of our students and staff. Not an easy task, but I can say that I am impressed with how quickly everyone from students, staff, parents, support personnel, and the community pulled together to help us get through this.

As the school year winds down, I am sure many of you are wondering what the fall will look like. In this regard, Maynard Public Schools has taken a proactive approach by establishing a District Task Force to help us plan for re-entry. We are committed to engaging in thoughtful conversations on what school will look like next year. Once we obtain guidance from the CDC, Governor Baker, and Commissioner Riley, we will have a better understanding of how to proceed. I can tell you that Commissioner Riley has stated that Superintendents should expect that the guidance set forth will be about 80% prescriptive.  Our hope is that once the guidance is released our teams would have already addressed many of its components thereby allowing us to focus on obstacles not addressed by our team. 

There are many challenges that lie ahead-but I have the utmost confidence that the Maynard Community has the fortitude and resilience to face them head on. 

Congratulations to the Class of 2020

I would like to take a moment to celebrate the class of 2020. Although this class has not had a traditional year, these months can certainly be described as memorable ones. This class has shown itself to be resilient, adaptive, and innovative. They have found ways to remain connected and involved. Even though it is not the year they hoped for, staff, students, and Maynard High School administration has done an incredible job finding ways to celebrate their successes.  

I’m sure you’ve noticed the lawn signs for the members of our senior class. The Beacon Villager printed a lovely article I’ve attached for your review. Click  here to view.

June 5, 2020 has been declared Maynard High School Class of 2020 Day by the Maynard Board of Selectmen.  This was the original graduation date for the Class of 2020. To help celebrate this day, a  car parade was held. Senior parades were  expressly permissible under the state guidance issued Thursday May 28 so long as certain limits were followed. Maynard High School Seniors decorated their cars and proceeded through  town. The parade commenced promptly at 2:05pm, the traditional end of the school day, and was led by the Maynard Police. 

Ready to Roll

Let the Parade Begin

Mr. Caragianes Shows Tiger Spirit!!!!

June 11th is our Virtual Senior Awards Night!

Each year, a few days before graduation, we celebrate the many achievements of our matriculating seniors with the awarding of certificates, plaques, trophies and scholarships.  This year, we will do so virtually through a video presentation being prepared by staff members on behalf of our graduates.   The video will become available at 6:00pm and a link will be sent out prior to that date.  It would be great if all of our seniors and their families tuned in at the same time to celebrate the successes of the Class of 2020.  Please join us!

                                                            

June 13th is the Awarding of Diplomas!

Prior to July 19th the state allows diplomas to be awarded either through a virtual ceremony or through a rolling, “Drive Up” ceremony.  We have opted to award diplomas using the drive up method.  Starting at 9:00 am graduates will arrive in cars, line up accordingly, step out of their vehicles when their names are called to collect their diplomas, and take a photo provided by a professional photographer. 

Please note, this is the absolute limit of what is permissible under the current and latest state guidelines as reviewed by our school nurses and after further consultation with the state Department of Public Health. 

July 24th is an “In Person” Graduation Celebration at Alumni Field!

After July 18th the state is permitting an in person graduation celebration under extremely constrained conditions which will be listed below.  It is an opportunity for the class of 2020 to gather to the extent possible under the regulations.  Our ceremony is scheduled for 6:30pm to avoid the sun and heat possible in late July.   Rain date will be July 26th at 6:30pm.

Once again congratulations, best of luck, and much success to the Class of 2020!!!!!!

On another note:

                                       

In addition to celebrations at Maynard High School, we have other celebrations for our students in grades 3-8. Our staff has done an outstanding job planning ways to celebrate our student milestones. Here are some examples:

Fowler End of Year Activities

Grade 8

Friday, May 29 - Grade 8 Trivia - 5 PM

Thursday, June 11 - Awards Assembly, 10 AM Live Stream on Google Meet

Friday, June 12 - Promotion Ceremony, 10 AM Live Stream on Google Meet

Monday, June 15, Moving On Drive By, 1 PM in Fowler Parking Lot

Grades 4 - 7

End of Year Games and Challenges, Week of June 8

Step Up Day, June 15, 10 AM Google Meets by Grade Level

Grade 3

There have been 3 Community Meetings with third graders and Fowler Administrators

There was one game night for third graders

There was one online parent coffee for third grade parents.

Third graders and their families have been getting Morning Announcements since May 15

Green Meadow

Drive Out Day for Grade Three will take place on Monday, June 15 at 11:00 am

         Bus Registration for 2020-2021*

Bus registration will begin  next week.  An electronic registration (Google) form will be sent via email to families. There will be no in-person registration this year.  If you, or someone you know, needs to register for the bus but can not do this electronically, please email: bus@maynard.k12.ma.us   as soon as possible for a paper registration form. 

We are encouraging online registration for transportation, however, we know that this is not a possibility for all of our families. For families who do not have access to the internet or online resources, paper applications can be picked up outside the main entrance at Fowler. There is a locked mailbox on the pillar near the main entrance with an attached envelope labeled bus registration application. Once paper  applications are completed, they can be put in the locked mailbox no earlier than Monday, June 8th.  Please note – bus registration is on a first come – first serve basis.  Electronic forms will be time stamped, paper forms dropped off will also be monitored.  Due to COVID-19, bus capacity will be limited. We will keep you updated as guidelines from DESE and the CDC become available regarding transportation.  

*PLEASE NOTE: This is for the big yellow bus only, not special education van/mini-bus transportation.


Technology Update*

All students who are returning to the Maynard Public Schools are welcome to keep student devices such as Chromebooks over the summer in order to support continued student learning.

For those students who are leaving the district, or for families that would prefer not to keep a device over the summer, we will be offering several drive through drop-off times outside of the Fowler School. The first of these will be Wednesday, June 10 from 1:00 - 1:30 and Tuesday, June 16 from 10:00 - 10:30. If you would like to return equipment please drive up to the front of Fowler School during these times and a staff member wearing appropriate PPE will collect through the car window.

If you have any questions, please contact Tech Director Adam Steiner at asteiner@maynard.k12.ma.us