Burlington School District Moves To Remote Learning This Week

Press release from the Burlington School District:

December 18, 2020

Dear BSD Families and Staff,

I’m writing this morning to let you know that all BSD schools will move to remote learning for Monday and Tuesday next week, and all Afterschool programs have been canceled for these two days. Your schools will be in touch with more information on how to access learning and curriculum next week.

The Vermont Department of Health still does not see evidence of the spread of Covid-19 in our schools and continues to reinforce that our schools are safe. However, the increased demands of contact tracing and the number of staff who have been asked to quarantine through this process have strained our system. Student attendance is also lower than usual at this time, and we have some classrooms that are split between trying to offer services to students in-person and in quarantine. With that in mind, I believe the best thing for everyone is to be in remote learning for our final two days before break.

This is not a decision I have made lightly, as I know there are so many students and families who depend on us not only for an education, but for warmth, shelter, food, and social-emotional connection, especially now during this time of global pandemic. If you or your family needs additional resources during these at-home learning days, please reach out to your school. (Please see below for more information on how to pick up FREE family meal kits today and over break.)

It is still our goal to resume in-person learning following winter break, beginning January 4th. I implore the entire community to please make decisions these next few weeks that are in the best interest of schools and our community as a whole:

• Do not travel out of state.
• Do not gather with people who live in other households.
• Stay six feet away from others whenever possible.
• Wear a mask.
• Wash your hands.
• Get tested if you think you have been exposed to coronavirus.

Thank you and, as always, please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely, Tom

FREE FAMILY MEAL KITS

Burlington School Food Project is providing free boxes of food for families. Each meal kit is intended to cover breakfast, lunch, supper, and snacks for one child for one week (7 days)! You can pick up food boxes today, Wednesday, December 23rd, and Wednesday, December 30th. You can get one box per child in your household under 19 years of age, and you do not have to have your child with you to pick up food. Please see more information below or contact Doug Davis with any questions.

Today (Friday, December 18)

3:00-4:30 PM BHS Parking, Sustainability Academy, Champlain Elementary

5:00-6 PM Boys & Girls Club of Burlington

Riverside Apartments 12:30-1 PM (Time is approximate. Contact Boys & Girls Club if you need assistance.)

Salmon Run 12:45- 1:15 PM (Time is approximate. Contact Boys & Girls Club if you need assistance.)

Wednesdays, December 23rd and 30th

3:00-4:30 PM BHS, Sustainability Academy, Champlain Elementary, Boys & Girls Club (this is a new time for the Club, for break weeks only)

Bobbin Mill 11:00-11:30 AM

Franklin Square 11:00-11:30 AM

South Meadow 11:45 AM -12:15 PM

Northgate 11:45 AM -12:15 PM

Riverside Apartments 5:30 PM

Salmon Run 6:00 PM

Filed Under: Updates and Reminders

This press release was produced by the Burlington School District . The views expressed here are the author’s own.