December 22, 2021

Dear North Shore Community Members,

As we began the year, our goal was to offer a program that was “live, safe, and sustainable.” Only recently have we begun to worry about sustaining the worthy efforts we have made so far, as we see neighboring schools closing in response to high contagion rates and reverting to a remote option that we had hoped to avoid. It is my plan and my hope to return in January after we have assessed the current state of the pandemic and explore the new “testing to return to school” option that’s been made available to schools. We will need to examine this new option with regard to state and county regulations in order to better understand its implications. The clear advantage of it is that we will be able to return students to school more quickly, but we need to balance that with returning students to school safely. That option will be examined, vetted with our medical staff, and more information will follow upon our return. 

The holiday season is very important to so many of us and your diligence in helping us create a healthy school environment is much appreciated as we look forward to our winter recess. Please continue to notify your school nurse and principal via email through the winter break if your child tests positive to COVID-19 or has been exposed to someone who tests positive. To allow our employees an opportunity to spend time with their families during this winter recess, you will receive an “out of office” reply when you send an e-mail. Please know that someone will respond accordingly.

This whole reaction to the pandemic has seemed like an experiment as we confront a challenge, explore the potential responses to it, watch what happens when we try something, and then modify our responses. If those reactions seem tentative, they have been only to the degree that they are designed to eliminate risk to students, to staff, and to parents. That will continue to be my approach and I beg your forgiveness if we are not moving as quickly as you’d prefer. 

I still have great hopes for 2022 and also feel very good about the District’s many accomplishments in 2021! I am hoping to see parents in our buildings, find opportunities for them to witness live student performances and exhibitions, and enable parents and teachers to meaningfully discuss student achievement. Additionally, as we develop a budget that will continue the District’s mission while being responsive to the unique fiscal environment, we hope to have wide community participation in its development and evaluation. 

Finally, I maintain the traditional seasonal wish for happiness and good health for all. In short, I long for a return to the normal and hope that we can all move closer to it in the months ahead. I encourage everyone to continue to be careful, wear your mask when it is appropriate or required, and follow all of the practices of good hygiene that we have made a part of our lives in the last 20 months. Please enjoy next week’s recess and I look forward to seeing everyone upon the occasion of our students’ return on January 3, 2022, when we can all continue to work together to support their success. 

Sincerely
Dr. Tom Dolan 
Interim Superintendent of Schools