Posted March 15, 2021

Dear North Shore Parents, Faculty, and Community Members,
Today marks an important milestone.  One year ago to this day, our schools were physically closed due to the pandemic. We spent the day together as a learning community preparing for what we thought might be a short-term closure while the COVID-19 virus was brought under control. Schools were physically closed for two weeks, and wow, did we underestimate what was to come!  In those short days, we identified our essential workers, built an online platform for virtual teaching and learning, delivered technology and prepared for the delivery of food to students. While it wasn't perfect, we set out each day to improve upon our instructional practices, affirm our ability to stay connected with one another and our students, expand our technological capacities, and to reach more and more families in need. In the meantime, we witnessed the virus ravage the world. Too many got sick, so many recovered, and sadly, too many ultimately succumbed to the virus. If you're like me, you may have lost loved ones and people you cared deeply about.

• While it remains difficult to think about, we have come such a long way. Each day, we've proven that Sir Winston Churchill was right, "kites fly highest against the wind, not with it." I am so proud of our accomplishments and thank our teachers, principals/administrators, nurses, and the entire support staff (clerical, custodial, transportation, food service, paraprofessionals/monitors/aides) for making our year so successful during
• such difficult circumstances including:
• Having all of our K-8 students physically back full-time since September remains one of our proudest moments. We remain anxious for a time when we can plan for a full-time return for our students at North Shore High School. This was raised as a discussion item for our Board of Education and those conversations will be happening. We are monitoring reported information regarding physical distancing requirements for schools. Currently, the guidelines remain at 6 feet. 
• Outdoor learning and improvements to air quality have enabled us to provide our students and staff with physical learning spaces focused on health and wellness. Thank you, once again to the community and The Viking Foundation for your generosity in providing HEPA filtration in all of our classroom spaces. 
• Technological improvements and a deep commitment to professional development and learning has enabled our teachers to reach students in creative and innovative ways. 
• Our athletes are back in gyms, in pools, on fields and tracks. It's quite a sight to see and we are excited to have our families and students as spectators. Visiting teams will now be able to bring spectators. 
• Our Fine and Performing Arts Program is thriving. While we can't have a live audience yet, our student artists are making music, art, and performing with innovation.  
• With spring on the horizon, vaccine distribution on the rise, and our continued diligence, I remain as hopeful as I have ever been that we can be strong and do our individual and collective parts to an eventual return to what was. Please do your part by wearing your mask, maintaining physical distance, practicing good hand hygiene, and avoiding gatherings. Small and large group gatherings are still the place where we see community spread. As hard as it may be, please hang in there on these precautionary measures! It will be worth the wait!!

• I have received several inquiries regarding email distribution lists. If you are receiving email communications that you do not wish to receive, you can contact the sender directly or unsubscribe. Please note that the North Shore School District has never shared, nor will we share our internal email distribution lists. When asked to do so, we have denied those FOIL requests. Please also note that the sharing of student directory information is prohibited. When parents share their demographic information with the intention of including it in a school directory, it is always with the understanding that it will be used for class and school events only. While this topic comes up from time to time, it is a good time to remind everyone that the use of any of the directories for any other purpose will make it difficult to continue the practice of publishing this information moving forward.  
• I am aware of and have read about the mailing, emails, and social media posts being distributed by certain residents. These are regarding the District's use of Reserves, Fund Balance, the Preliminary 2021-2022 Budget, and the creation of a Capital Reserve to prepare for the funding of future projects for our Athletics Department. We will be sharing detailed and factual information to address the raised concerns in a separate communication this week. I encourage you to always consult our website and/or to contact us directly if you have any questions or seek information about our audited financial statements. Our budget materials provide a wealth of information about spending and revenue sources in great detail. I will begin Budget conversations in early April, but always welcome you to contact me directly with any questions. If you missed any of our Budget Discussions, they can be found on our website or at this link. 

Please enjoy the crisp air and a lovely afternoon. I thank you very much for the partnerships we enjoy on behalf of the children we share and look forward to continuing our work to ensure that all of our students can remain #VikingStrong!

Best regards,

Dr. Peter Giarrizzo
Superintendent of Schools