Merrimack Valley School District Closing

Dear SAU 46 Families:

Please accept this communication as another update and outreach regarding COVID-19 and its evolving impact on SAU 46. On Friday (March 13, 2020), information was distributed that indicated SAU 46 schools would be closed for students on Monday, March 16, 2020. Our intention, at the time, was to use Monday to finalize remote learning plans and then on Tuesday (the 17th) we would invite students back to schools to review the plans and to gather all the educational resources they would need. This was in anticipation of initiating remote learning the next day,Wednesday, March 18, 2020. These plans have changed slightly. Please read on.

Starting Monday, March 16, 2020, ALL SAU 46 schools (MVSD and Andover) will be closed. To start, this closure will extend through Friday, April 3, 2020. However, this timeframe will continually be revisited, reevaluated, and updated as new information becomes available. It is VERY LIKELY that we are looking at school closures (and remote learning) that will extend beyond this initial time frame. 

SAU 46 faculty and staff will use Monday and Tuesday of this week (March 16 and 17, 2020) to finalize remote learning plans, prepare initial lessons, craft student / family communications, connect with administrators and colleagues, and to gather necessary educational resources. Starting Wednesday, March 18, 2020, all students will be asked to engage in remote learning as indicated by their teachers. Please be sure to check student and parent email accounts, school websites, Google Classroom sites, Alma, and other typical sources to ensure you are receiving these communications.

Remote learning will also take place this Thursday, March 19, 2020. The MVSD School District Calendar has Friday, March 20, 2020 reserved as a professional development day for teachers. We are extending this professional development day to the Andover School District as well. Teachers in both districts will use Friday to assess the first two days of remote learning, engage in further planning and collaborations, and prepare subsequent lessons and communications for students and families. Friday, March 20, 2020 is not a remote learning day for SAU 46 students. However, the following two weeks (March 23 - 27 and March 30 - April 3) will be remote learning weeks. If / when the duration of this remote learning plan changes, further communications will be distributed.

On Tuesday, March 17, 2020, school buildings will be open for families and students to pick up necessary educational resources and supplies. All SAU 46 buildings will be open from 12 - 6pm. If you have questions related to this, please reach out to your local building administrator.

Further communications regarding Food Services, Special Education Services, and other student / family supports are forthcoming. While we have been working very hard to prepare for and anticipate all systemic needs, this is a new situation for all involved. Our intent is to continue to effectively serve the diverse academic and social needs of our students. It goes without saying, that we rely on and value the active support and partnership of our families to make this happen.

It is important to note that schools (and all related events) are being closed so that our communities may engage in appropriate social distancing. Our collective efforts will impact the manner in which this virus spreads throughout our region, state, and nation. Please help us in this effort. Additionally, it is important that you attend to your own and your families' health and safety. We are here to help you through this.

Thank you for all of your understanding and cooperation. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Respectfully,

Mark MacLean

SAU 46 - Superintendent of Schools