This would be a wonderful family activity over the February vacation week. If needed, families can pick up art supplies at Urban Media Arts (formerly MATV).

Full details are posted here: https://www.maldenreads.org/door-decorating-contest/

January 28, 2021

Dear Families,

We hope that you are doing well as we begin the second half of the school year and look with hope toward a better 2021.

While we continue to learn and deepen our understanding of remote learning, we are also taking steps to bring our next group of learners back to in-person learning. As a result of collaboration with the Malden Education Association, we have worked toward this shift and look forward to reopening our schools to provide in-person teaching and learning for our PreK-2 students, beginning on Monday, February 1.

Over the past several weeks, we have taken steps to ensure that we are ready for this next shift. Our principals have been working around the clock to develop cohorts of students. Guiding our work is our core belief that the relationship among students, their families, and their teacher is the most important ingredient in a positive school experience. To that end, our principals have done their absolute best to keep students with the same teachers they have had since the beginning of the school year; this has been incredibly challenging given the strict guidelines we must follow to ensure everyone’s safety, but developments such as live streaming have allowed us to make great progress in this area.

There are challenges that we must share with you, however. While keeping students with their teachers was possible in the vast majority of instances, there were a few cases across the district where it was necessary to have the classroom teacher work remotely. In these situations, we have contacted affected families and offered them the choice of staying fully remote with their current teacher or sending their child for in-person learning with the assistance of a qualified substitute who will work in concert with the regular teacher. Regardless of the choice made, it is important to remember that ALL students will be with the regular classroom teacher (teacher of record) on days when they are not in-person. Please remember that only families affected by this situation have been contacted.

We also ask for your grace and patience as we make this next shift. It’s another first for all of us, and there are bound to be bumps along the way. The “growth mindset” that we constantly remind students of is a concept that we must all embrace during this time. Teaching and learning will not look exactly as it did when we closed our buildings almost a year ago. The physical set up of the classroom will look different, masks and social distancing will continue to be the norm, and the delivery of instruction will be adapted to fit this new model. What hasn’t changed, however, is the love we have for our students; they bring the joy to our work and we cannot wait to see them!

Thank you for all you have done and continue to do to be the best partners possible in your child’s education. We know that it has been far from easy and we are so very appreciative of your efforts to juggle the many demands of everyday life and school in your home.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s principal. Once again, thank you for your understanding and support.

Sincerely,

John Oteri, Superintendent
Malden Public Schools

Dear Malden Public Schools Families,

We are excited to update you on our plans to begin in-person instruction in Malden Public Schools once again.

On Tuesday, January 19 at 6:00 PM, MPS will host a community forum to discuss the timeline and details of reopening our schools for in-person teaching and learning. We invite you to participate in this virtual event:

Zoom Meeting Link
https://cityofmalden.zoom.us/j/98847324731?pwd=aENkU2FqOFlKNCtYYXRvOGlXMHlOdz09
Enter Passcode: 286750
Join by Phone (audio only):
1-929-436-2866
Webinar ID: 988 4732 4731

Also on January 19, a MPS Reopening Survey will be sent to all MPS families. We encourage you to share your thoughts with the district through this survey.

At this time, the district plans to welcome our high-needs students for in-person instruction on Tuesday. On Monday, January 25, our grades PreK-2 staff will return to our buildings, with PreK-2 students beginning a hybrid learning model Monday, February 1.

The health and safety of our students, staff, and families remains our top priority. We are following sound protocols aligned with expert health guidance. A summary of Frequently Asked Questions is available on the MPS website at https://maldenps.org/reopening/faqs/.

We recognize that this return to learning comes on the heels of historic and troubling events within our nation. The violence in the U.S. Capitol building last week occured at a time when our students, staff, and families are already shouldering the educational, economic, and health impacts of COVID-19. This global pandemic has separated us from one another at a time when we desperately need to come together and when our students especially need to feel safe.

Despite these challenges, we continue to address the academic, social, and emotional learning needs of all Malden students. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion for every student we serve is unwavering.

To support these efforts, we would like to share a few resources:
National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) – Talking To Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
Annenberg Classroom – Understanding Democracy: A Hip Pocket Guide
PBS NewsHour Extra – Facing History and Ourselves
University of Michigan – Guidelines for Discussing Difficult or High-Stakes Topics

I ask for your continued support as we work to create safe and inclusive spaces for children to ask questions, demonstrate empathy in their interactions with others, and develop a variety of opinions and perspectives. Likewise, your support for our collaborative efforts—such as the Massachusetts Partnership for Diversity in Education—to increase diversity in our schools is much appreciated.

On Monday, January 18, there will be no school as we commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in our community and across the country. More than just a day off, MLK Day is the only federal holiday officially designated as a “day of service” for Americans. To that end, MPS encourages our students and families to find opportunities to volunteer and make an impact in the community on Monday.

While the COVID-19 pandemic limits the number of in-person activities in which we can engage, there are still ways you can make a difference. Consider the following:

Make a donation to or serve at a local food bank.
Donate blood, which is much needed during the pandemic.
Serve as a virtual tutor to other students nationwide.
Order or donate to a local business that may be struggling due to COVID-19.
Check out volunteer opportunities available through the United Way or by visiting https://americorps.gov/join/find-volunteer-opportunity.

These are just a few ideas for your day of service. While MLK Day is a great chance to get started with your volunteering efforts, it can also be a springboard that leads to regular community service throughout the year!

Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s school or contact me directly with any questions or concerns. We also encourage you to visit the MPS Reopening Schools web page, at https://maldenps.org/reopening, for more information.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and teachers during these challenging times.

Sincerely,

John Oteri
Superintendent