Athol-Royalston Regional School DistrictThe Athol-Royalston Regional School District serves over 1700 students in the North Quabbin region of Massachusetts.
Below, you will find urgent announcements such as school closings as well as the district blog, where we will share happenings and solicit public input.
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As of June 2nd, the District has 2 probable cases of H1N1, or swine flu. Click here to read the full memo from the Superintendent regarding these cases; key excerpts are below:Dear Parent(s) and Guardian(s), We have just received notice that two students in the District have a probable diagnosis of H1N1 (swine flu) virus. Those students will remain home for the next seven days.
The Massachusetts Department of Health has revised its guidance to school districts regarding H1N1. It now has a better understanding of the serverity of the virus and how it is spread. While H1N1 virus spreads by person-to-person contact it is no more severe than seasonal influenza. They no longer recommend the closing of schools when H1N1 appears.
Decisions about the closing of schools are made locally by the superintendent with guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and local health directors. At this time, there is no plan to close any school(s) but we will update you if this changes.
Click here for information on the District's initial response to H1N1 as well as prevention and reporting guidelines from the Commonwealth and the CDC.
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The School Committee has approved start, end, and holiday dates for the 2009-2010 school year:
- First day for students: 8/26/09
- Students will have a 4-day Labor day weekend, attend from 8/26-8/28, 8/31-9/3, and 9/8-9/11. Full weeks will begin on 9/14.
- December break will begin with a half day on 12/23 with students returning on 1/4/10.
- The half-days for elementary professional development were approved but have yet to be placed by the Athol Teachers Association; 6 additional district-wide half-days for professional development were also approved and we will announce their timing when they are placed by the ATA.
- If we have no inclement-weather days, this will result in a final day for students of 6/10/10; 5 snow days will shift the last day to 6/17/10.
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Several administrative changes/updates will be taking place for the 2009-2010 academic year:- John Doty has resigned/retired effective June 30, 2009
- Erica Brouillet has been reassigned to the principalship of ARMS
- Ken Vaidulus has been reassigned to the Pleasant St. School (Liz Ervin will be the Principal of Record for Sanders St. and Pleasant St. Schools. However, Ken Vaidulus will run the day-to-day operations of the school and will be there 4 days a week. Liz Ervin will conduct all IEP and 504 meetings and will be there 1 day a week.)
- Bobbie French has resigned as the Principal of Riverbend to take a position in another school district.
- There will be a full-time principalship at Royalston Community School and the Riverbend Elementary School, for which the District is actively advertising.
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Teachers: The North Quabbin Green Economy Network requests that ARRSD teachers complete this very short
survey to assist them in planning next steps for building the educational programming to support their efforts in our region.
Thanks for helping.
Click here to take the survey.
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Summer reading lists for elementary students are now posted: click here for more information.