Welcome Back! Time to GET IT DONE!!!

Families,

Welcome back! I hope everyone was able to enjoy some outside time last week. Thanks to Governor Baker's impeccable timing, I spent my vacation figuring out how the rest of the year is going to play out ( He just had to call off the rest of the school year on the first day of vacation!!). First, I am so sorry that all of our seniors will miss out on sports and senior events. I know that this really stinks. I spoke to some of you and your parents on the phone over the weekend and one comment that I heard was " why bother doing work, we are not going to have a graduation so it's pointless". Well, if you take one thing and only one thing away from being a student at the Academy is that quitting is never an option. I hope I have been able to teach you that sometimes we have to pick ourselves up and overcome adversity. As much as this stinks, the ENTIRE COMMUNITY is behind you. You really have two options, quit or take the next few weeks and work harder than you ever have. I can promise you this, you will have a graduation. It may not be when we traditionally hold a graduation, but we will celebrate you. Work hard and get your school work done so we can have the biggest celebration the city has ever seen. Hard work ALWAYS pays off. Don't quit, you must keep going!!

As I first mentioned, the Governor made his decision on the first day of break and some of the city administrators took time away from school. This really has been a 24/7 job over the last month so the time off was much deserved. In the conversations I was able to have with the Superintendent, here is what I know:

1). We are not sure when or how the High School graduation will be. Again, there will be something but we are meeting this week to begin discussions.

2). Same holds true with the Academy graduation. Again, I PROMISE we will celebrate your accomplishments. Just worry about what we can control and that is ALL OF YOU COMPLETING YOUR WORK! 

3). Online work will continue. We are in a good spot.  A vast majority of you are doing some work however we really gotta pick it up. I have spoken to some of you and your parents this weekend. I plan on calling all students and your parents this week to check in and clarify what it is you need to complete before the last day of school.

4). I am planning a Google Hangout session for Wednesday at 10:00 am. I think it would be nice to see all of you and catch up. I will send the invite out Monday afternoon.

As I get more information, I will pass it along to you. Just remember, the community is rooting for you. It's up to all of us to work together and make them really proud. Time to get it done!

-Mr. B

COVID-19 Update: Week 5 and Sliding into Vacation

Families,

We survived week 5! Hope you are all doing well. I wanted to touch base with you regarding a few things:

1). Students are engaging in their work daily, some more than others. Next week is April vacation and students ARE NOT REQUITED TO DO WORK!  However, If you are a senior that is behind it may not be a bad idea to continue working.

2). For seniors, we only have a few weeks to go when we return ( like 20 days). Most of you are in great shape. However, there are a few that are in some trouble. I can tell you that I had several meetings with Dr. Lord and our Superintendent Dr. Kerble. It was made clear, if students ( either at the Academy or PVMHS)  do not complete their work they will be expected to go to summer school. Please do not think there will be a break given because of the circumstances. If you are having troubles at home, please reach out, we are willing to work with you and your family. I have not received any indication from anyone that there are any issues with getting the work done so please reach out ASAP so we can help if it is needed.

3). Overall, I am EXTREMELY EXTREMELY PROUD OF ALL OF YOU!! Parents included. This has been really difficult on many levels. I can tell you, I am going out of my mind and I know how you all feel. Take some time next week and try to enjoy yourself. I am planning a Google Hangout the week we get back so we can all catch up with each other. 

Please, be safe and enjoy some time off next week.

Mr. B 

COVID-19 Update: Week 4 is over, Pep Talk from Mr. B

Families,

I hope everyone is not going stir crazy! This has been tough to say the least. We have completed 4 weeks and I have a few things I would like to address. 

The Massachusetts Department of Education came out with a document title "Remote Learning Recommendations"   If you have not done so, please read. If you do not want to read the whole document, I will share what I believe is the most important recommendation "We recommend that districts support students to engage in meaningful and productive learning for approximately half the length of a regular school day. We expect this learning to take place via a combination of educator-directed learning and student self-directed learning". Basically, the state wants the students to spend about 4 hours per day doing school work. It is good to see that students are logging in and doing some work. However, STUDENTS ARE NOT COMING CLOSE TO THIS!  Where I see this being an immediate problem will be with some of our seniors. I will be upfront and honest, if a senior does not complete the required work they will risk having to go to summer school and not graduating! 

I understand everyone is inconvenienced by this situation, including myself and my teachers. I have 2 children myself in elementary school and my wife ( whom is still working from home) and I are spending 6-7 hours a day teaching them, balancing our jobs, and  trying to stay sane! Believe me, I get it, this is not ideal for anyone. However, the students need to make a better effort going forward or they may risk paying a price at the end of this. Parents, I know you are stressed to the max, but I really need you to please check on your child. I have called many of you several times. Please reach out to me if you need help connecting with your child in any way. Lets work as a team to make sure we get through this together. Tomorrow is Good Friday and students are not required to work. Please, enjoy the weekend. Happy Passover or Easter to all of you that celebrate. Again, I am here to help anyone that may be in need, just reach out. Again, we need a better effort from our kids next week.

Stay Safe.

Mr. B

COVID-19 Update: Day 15 Week 3 in the Books!

Families,

We have made it through week 3! I want to first thank all of you for your support. I have made countless phone calls and have sent countless emails. You all have been such great team players, I really can't thank you enough for your patience, communication, and going the extra mile to make sure your son or daughter is keeping up with their studies. Some positives this week are that 27 of our 28 students did work! That is truly amazing. The not so good news is that very few are doing 4 hours a day. Please try to encourage your child to do just a little more next week, especially seniors. Let's make it our goal to get most of our school work done now so we can enjoy the last few weeks together in May. In other news:

• Any student that receives counseling services: Ms Dunne has made herself available for check-ins. When I spoke with her, no one had reached out. If anyone would like to set up a time with her, email me or reach out to her at dunnem@peabody.k12.ma.us. Students that receive services with Ms. Laura, please reach out to me or her at Mayerl@peabody,k12.ma.us. We are all here to help and support you. We all care very much about you and your well being, reach out if you need us.
• Our Yoga & Wellness Teacher, Anna Finklestein is also offering yoga Fridays on her Facebook page. She has also offered to conduct a Google Hangout session for all of you. It may be fun for all of us to jump in just to connect and say hi. If you are all interested, reach out to me and I will set up a time next week.
• If anyone received free or reduced lunch and is not taking advantage of the free meals offered by the school, please reach out. I want to be sure you all have food if you are in need. 

As always, we are here for you all if you need anything, and we mean ANYTHING. Please be safe in the coming week ahead and remember to get your school work done next week. I hope to hear from you all real soon.

Have a great weekend!

-Mr.B & the entire Academy Staff