COVID-19/School Closure Updates
GOVERNOR BAKER HAS ORDERED ALL MA PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLOSED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. WE WILL POST ALL IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COVID-19 RELATED RESOURCES ON THIS PAGE.
5/20/20
Dear Renaissance Families,
We would like to share an important message and information regarding domestic violence. In addition to the many needs families have experienced due to the coronavirus crisis, there have been reports of increases in domestic violence nationally. The Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts /Domestic and Sexual Violence Project is here to help.
If you need help or know someone who needs help please call Reverend Traci Jackson Antoine at (617) 459 -2420. All support is free of charge and 100% confidential. You can also contact BRCPS Family & Community Engagement Coordinator, Ms. Monique Taylor, for more information at mtaylor@brcps.school.
5/15/20
BRCPS Families, please see this letter from the Mayor’s Office of Health and Human Services, Office of Food Access, and the attachments included in several languages:
P-EBT_Letter from Mayor’s Office 5.15.20
ENGLISH COVID-19 FOOD RESOURCE LIST
SPANISH COVID-19 FOOD RESOURCE LIST
HAITIAN CREOLE COVID-19 FOOD RESOURCE LIST
5/4/20
Letter to BRCPS Families regarding our Remote Learning Plan and Summer Scholars Program:
BRCPS Letter to Families May 4, 2020
BRCPS Letter to Families May 4 2020_Spanish
BRCPS Letter to Families May 4 2020_Haitian Creole
4/21/20
Dear Renaissance Families,
Governor Baker announced today that schools in MA will be closed for the remainder of the school year. The Commissioner of Education announced that additional guidance will be coming later this week for extended remote learning. We will make adjustments to our Remote Learning Plan if needed based on the guidance. The Commissioner also said there will be guidance forthcoming about how schools will reopen in the fall. We expect that guidance in the next few weeks and will share with families when we receive it.
At this time, it is too early to determine if we will be able to run our summer camp program. We will closely monitor the COVID-19 situation and make a decision in mid-May. The decision will be made based on the safety for students and staff.
If you have not received a chromebook there are devices still available. Please either email your child’s teacher, or request one at HOMESUPPORT@BRCPS.SCHOOL.
These have been unprecedented and challenging times for us all. While our physical doors will be closed for the rest of the school year we are here to support our students and families. Please continue to email us with your questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Ms. Buckmire
abuckmire@brcps.school
617-548-6862
School Closure Family Letter_April 21 2020
School Closure Family Letter_April 21 2020_Spanish
School Closure Family Letter_April 21 2020_Haitian Creole
4/20/20
Dear Renaissance families of students with disabilities, we have attached below a letter recently sent out by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, including the Family Resource Toolbox that was sent with the letter. If you have any questions, you can contact BRCPS Director of Unified Student Services, Stacia Copeland, at scopeland@brcps.school.
Please find the Family Resource Toolbox here:
DESE SWD Family Resource Toolbox
The letter is posted below, in five languages:
DESE Letter family SWD Covid-19_English
DESE Letter family SWD Covid-19_Spanish
DESE Letter family SWD Covid-19_Portuguese
DESE Letter family SWD Covid-19_Haitian Creole
DESE Letter family SWD Covid-19_Cape Vedean
4/13/20
The BRCPS Remote Learning Plan can be found HERE. This plan is provided in preparation for an extended school building closure and supports distance learning. Currently, our return to school date is May 4, 2020, but it may be longer if national, state and/or local officials and/or health experts deem it necessary to maintain the health and safety of our community. Beginning the week of April 6th, and until the school building closure is ended, the distance learning plan will remain in effect.
4/3/20
Letter to families regarding services for students with disabilities and English learners, from BRCPS Director of Unified Student Services, Stacia Copeland:
SWD_ELs COVID-19 Service update letter
Enclosed documents that provide further information and guidance for schools:
- Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Q & As
- Massachusetts Department and Elementary Secondary Education Information and Resources
4/1/20
Letter on remote learning opportunities, notification and guidance, from BRCPS Head of School, Alexandra Buckmire:
REMOTE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES NOTIFICATION AND GUIDANCE
3/30/20
Letter from the Commissioner of the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has sent out the following letter to all K-12 parents and guardians in the state.
DESE Letter to Families_COVID19 3.30.20
DESE Spanish Letter to Families_COVID19 3.30.20
3/26/20
Letter to families from BRCPS Head of School, Alexandra Buckmire, regarding Governor Baker’s announcement that all public schools will be closed until at least May 4th:
Letter to Families_March 26 2020
Letter to Families March 26_Spanish
3/23/20
Message to Families Regarding Chromebooks
Message to Families Regarding Chromebooks_Spanish
3/19/20
A reminder to Boston Renaissance Families:
BRCPS is providing breakfast and lunch to all families of current BRPCS students. Meals are provided to go, with curbside pickup in the school’s parent pickup lane, each week, Monday through Friday, 11:00am-1:00pm. In addition, families picking up meals on Fridays will also receive breakfast and lunch for Saturday and Sunday.
3/15/20 Letter to Families
BRCPS announces extended closure up to April 27th, following closure dates announced by Mayor Walsh for Boston Public Schools. Full letter here:
BRCPS School Closure update March 15
BRCPS School Closure Update March 15_Spanish
3/13/20 Letter to Families
BRCPS announces two-week school closure. Letter from Head of School attached:
BRCPS Two week Closure Letter 3.13.20
3/12/20 Message to Families – Event Cancelations
March 12 Letter to Families_Event Cancelations
3/3/20 Letter to Families
BRCPS announces coronavirus (COVID-19) health and safety measures: BRCPS COVID_19 March 3rd 2020
Public Resources & Information
To help keep your family safe, please refer to official information and recommendations from the MA Department of Public Health (DPH), City of Boston Public Health Commission, national Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the National Association School Nurses.
CDC Prevention & Treatment Guidance
Boston Public Health Commission Fact Sheet (English)
Boston Public Health Commission Fact Sheet (Spanish)
Talking to Children About COVID19_NASN
Community Resources and Information for Families
During the school closure, please check here for resources for you and your children. This includes information on food access, tips for social-emotional support and wellness, and other public/community resources that may be helpful to you during this period.
If you have questions about academics, please contact your child’s teacher(s) using the email address provided below. For questions about community resources, please contact BRCPS Family & Community Engagement Coordinator, Ms. Monique Taylor at mtaylor@brcps.school.
Teachers and staff email addresses can be found on this document – Click Here
BRCPS is providing breakfast and lunch to all families of current BRPCS students. Meals are provided to go, with curbside pickup in the school’s parent pickup lane, each week, Monday through Friday, 11:00am-1:00pm. In addition, families picking up meals on Fridays will also receive breakfast and lunch for Saturday and Sunday.
Strategies for supporting your child’s learning and wellbeing during the school closure – Strategies at Home for Families
Community Resources, including Health, Unemployment, Meals, Wifi, Wellness and more –
Community Resources Boston COVID19
Food Resource Maps, provided by the City of Boston, for each section of the city:
https://www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/embed/m/mission_hill_roxbury_south_boston_1.pdf
https://www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/embed/d/dorchester_1.pdf
Additional Food Resources in Response to School Closures:
Project Bread COVID-19 Resources & the Project Bread FoodSource Hotline 800-645-8333
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office has created this comprehensive guide for local residents:
Check out these interactive activities and events for children and families shared by Boston Central: