COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Resource Page
We will routinely update this page with information and resources for the Waltham community and our students; check back frequently.
Free Meal Resources
We continue to provide support for free meals for students and families, and there are many free meal initiatives.
Link on the image above or HERE to read more.
Extended Learning
The WPS Extended Learning Website was created to extend student learning when school is not in session. There are many suggested activities and resources to continue learning at home.
Link on the image above or HERE to read more.
Technology Resources
The WPS Digital Resources page is updated regularly and provides important technology and internet access information for students and families.
Link on the image above or HERE to read more.
Physical Distancing
It's critical we continue to practice physical distancing and adhere to health and safety guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19. As of Wednesday, May 6, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker's order requires the use of masks/face coverings in public places where you cannot socially distance from others.
We strongly urge all members of the Waltham community to immediately engage in social distancing. If you are not feeling well, please do not leave your home. If you are able to work from home, please do so. If you must leave your home, wash your hands frequently and avoid "high-touch" areas. Keep your children at home and away from other children. We know this is very challenging, especially for kids who want to be with their peers, and we are working on options for organizing virtual socialization opportunities for students and will be posting updates here.
Supporting our Children
Here are resources and articles to help you discuss important information related to the COVID-19 virus with your child:
- Managing Reactions to the Coronavirus (Riverside Trauma Center) - PDF Document
- Talking to Children about COVID-19 (CDC)
- Helping Children Cope with Emergencies (CDC)
Community Support/Housing Information
We are working with organizations across the city to organize grocery donations and drives, housing assistance, and other critical community initiatives.
Declaration for Eviction Moratorium
Commissioner Riley Updates
Extending Learning Communication updates from Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Riley to Families and Education Leaders.
- May 8 On the Desktop Newsletter from Commissioner Riley
- May 8 Letter to Families
- May 8 Letter to Education Leaders
Extended Learning
(please click on the + sign below to expand for additional important and related information)
We cannot expect our families to fully “replace” what would happen during a regular school day, and we have not prepared our students to engage in entirely self-directed learning. Furthermore, all of our families are experiencing hardships because of the current situation, and we do not want to further burden families with unrealistic expectations. That said, we do expect the following:
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We expect all students to engage in some component of their school’s remote learning approach.
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Per guidance from the Massachusetts Commissioner of Education, we are expecting that all students engage meaningfully with content for approximately half of the regular school day (3.5 hours). This does not mean students are online in live classes for all of those hours, but that students are doing a mix of live interaction with teachers and completing academic work for this amount of time each day.
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We expect all students to choose those remote learning options that are best for them and their families. Schools and teachers have been encouraged to provide options.
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We expect all students, as they are able, to engage in meaningful learning for approximately half of a typical school day.
We will follow up with students who do not engage in remote learning to see if they or their families need additional resources or are experiencing challenges that make accessing schoolwork impossible for them at this time, and we will grant exceptions to the above expectations in those instances. Please see the 4/3/20 Extended Learning Plans below for complete details.
We will follow up with students who do not engage in remote learning to see if they or their families need additional resources or are experiencing challenges that make accessing schoolwork impossible for them at this time, and we will grant exceptions to the above expectations in those instances. Please see the 4/3/20 Extended Learning Plans below for complete details.
Community Updates
Here you will find the current week's communications from the Waltham Public Schools related to COVID-19. For archived communications, please see the Community Updates Archive below.