Parent Letter re: COVID-19

March 17, 2020
Dear Uxbridge High School Families:

Over the past several days, there have been many messages updating families and staff with respect to the evolving situation and COVID-19. We know that, as we move into uncharted territory with school closed for the next three weeks, this can feel overwhelming. We hope that the detailed information below will help students and parents navigate the next couple of weeks and reduce those feelings of anxiety.

Before we get to the Learning Continuity Opportunities(below), please note a few basics that will remain true throughout this process:

1. We know that none of our emails or documents can answer all questions.  Students and parents can email teachers, counselors, other professional staff, and administrators  as usual.  We will all work even more diligently during this unusual time to be available and helpful.
2. There are likely answers or situations that will be frustrating -  for all of us. Two-way patience needs to be a watchword for our whole community.  Let’s all work together and patiently to get to the best possible though not necessarily perfect solutions for the students. Likewise, situations change more fluidly than normal, so what is shared today may change by tomorrow.
3. If students or families need direction/support from our school nurse, Ms. Schiller,  our school counseling team, special education supports, or our administration: please reach out to them via email. 
4. Please continue to practice social distancing. 

At UHS, teachers manage the online portion of their classrooms primarily through the Uxbridge Public Schools website and Google Classroom. All resources will be distributed and submitted through Google Classroom. All teachers will have Classrooms, and students can see what is available via https://www.uxbridgeschools.com/Page/627.

As some initial direction:

1. Students should check their school email accounts daily.
2. Students should check Google Classrooms twice daily: In the morning before noon, and in the evening by 6 p.m.
3. Students who turn on notifications for Google Classroom will receive these on iPads and via email.

Remote Learning Continuity Opportunities Guidelines

1. Teachers will post a variety of resources that intend to keep students engaged in learning. These resources intend to keep students from regressing, while understanding that they do not, in any way, take the place of daily classroom instruction - face-to-face time with our teachers is far too valuable.
2. Teachers will post and conduct “office hours” regularly.   During these hours, teachers will log on to Google Classroom to check email, post resources, and answer student questions, as well as potentially set up Zoom meetings or Google hangout sessions.  Teachers will communicate these hours individually to their own classes.
3. Learning resources will vary in length.  These resources may be long term projects, practice questions, videos and reflections, lecture notes, reading, activities- all intending to keep students connected to the given content area.
4. Open communication is the key. If there is any issue with understanding any of the learning resources that are provided, students should communicate using any of a variety of virtual means, which will be specified by teachers.
5. We anticipate these distance learning resources being posted by Thursday morning, March 19.

Everything we are encouraging is about experience: authentic learning that will help students stay connected, or content that is being reviewed in advance of our return to school. None of these learning resources are mandatory, none of them will be graded, and none of them are covering new content - these are meant as opportunities for our students to stay connected remotely to our educators and learning, to promote continuity, and to prevent regression.

Also, for families who may have need, Charter is offering free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription. To enroll, call 1-844-488-8395, and install fees will be waived for new student households. Wifi hotspots across the footprint will be opened for public use. This will help students learn remotely through many of our digital means.

We are all dealing with these challenging times in different ways. In that spirit, we encourage you to be patient, to make the best of these times of social distancing, and to engage in different forms of learning in these unique circumstances. The resources our teachers post are but one way to do so, but there are many ways for families to share in learning during this time - watching documentaries, going for a walk, video chatting with friends or family from afar.

As always, we thank you for the support. Together, we are stronger.

Stay safe.

Sincerely yours,



Michael Rubin
Principal