ASRSD Public Statement on COVID-19 School Closures
Dear Ayer Shirley School Community:
Effective today, March 12, 2020, I am suspending ALL after-school, evening, and weekend activities and events through Friday, March 27, 2020. This includes after-school clubs, athletic events and practices, PTO events, field trips, concerts, plays, rehearsals, performances, usage of buildings by community groups, mock exams, and any other events taking place in the school buildings outside of normal school hours.
The Commissioner of Education has recommended no out-of-state travel. We do have out- of-state field trips scheduled in May and June, and at this time we are not making final decisions about those trips.
We will reassess after the two-week period and determine if we can resume our after-school activities and reschedule events. This decision has been made in accordance with guidance from the Nashoba Board of Health, the Governor’s declaration of a State of Emergency, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
At this time, we are most fortunate to have no presumptive positive cases in our school district or in our communities. This decision is based on continuing the essential function of ASRSD which is educating our students on a daily basis. This decision is also fundamental to the mitigation of the community spread of COVID-19. Keeping all students and all employees safe and healthy is our first priority.
The custodial personnel are disinfecting the buildings on a daily basis. Much of this work occurs during the evening shift and they cannot keep up with the heavy usage that occurs in the buildings during the afternoon, evenings, and on weekends. There are just not enough hours in each day for them to keep the pace. They have done a terrific job in disinfecting and maintaining the cleanliness in all of the buildings. It needs to be stressed, we have to maintain the essential function of the schools, which is educating our students while maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all members of our school community.
Childcare (ACP and Extended Day) for families at Page Hilltop and Lura A. White will continue to be available to families as scheduled.
Tomorrow morning, I will be on a conference call with the Commissioner of Education, Dr. Jeff Riley, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. This is a very fluid and serious situation, and I will keep you updated as new guidance and information becomes available.
This decision has not been taken lightly, but this is the right decision at this time. I want to thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.
Sincerely,
Dr. Malone
Superintendent of Schools