Despite positive COVID-19 cases, Gill-Montague continuing with hybrid learning
Published: 3/10/2021 4:06:33 PM
MONTAGUE Two people connected to the Gill-Montague Regional School District have tested positive for COVID-19 within the last week. However, Superintendent Brian Beck says the situation does not rise to a level that threatens the schools’ ability to hold classes in person.
Beck said the school district cannot publicize whether the affected people are students, staff members or family members of someone with a direct connection to the district.
The cases were reported to the school district voluntarily by the affected families, Beck said. He noted that, throughout the past year, staff and students have been proactive in alerting administrators in cases when they may have been exposed to the coronavirus.
Area superintendents recognize student achievements
CONROD
Published: 3/3/2021 6:35:00 PM
Editor’s note: This is the first of two stories featuring the honored students across the county. The second story will appear in Friday’s edition.
Pandemics are no longer just something today’s students learn about in history or science class.
The COVID-19 public health crisis has upended normalcy around the world and thrown a monkey wrench into the routines and plans of high school students. Winners of Superintendent’s Awards typically have the recognition commemorated with a banquet dinner, but large gatherings are a no-no until the novel coronavirus is under control. Instead, the seniors selected for 2020 received their certificates from the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents in different, less ceremonial settings.
Old tiles a safety concern for Gill Elementary School, expense for town
Degrading floor tiles in Gill Elementary School at 48 Boyle Road have raised safety concerns, and will require a replacement by the town this summer. Staff Photo/Paul Franz
Published: 3/2/2021 4:34:02 PM
GILL Degrading floor tiles in Gill Elementary School have raised safety concerns, and will require a replacement by the town this summer for a price likely over $100,000.
The problem is that the tiles contain asbestos, a material that was commonly used in tiles until the 1980s, when it was found that degrading asbestos can be hazardous if inhaled.
Gill-Montague delays hybrid classes for two weeks
Turners Falls High School and Great Falls Middle School. Staff File Photo/PAUL FRANZ
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MONTAGUE Hybrid classes in the Gill-Montague Regional School District have been delayed from the original target date of Feb. 4 until Feb. 22, due to unexpected issues with staffing and delays in paperwork related to the schools’ ventilation systems.
Gill-Montague has been in an entirely remote model since the pandemic began last March. Through the fall and winter, the district has aimed to move students to hybrid classes, but has been slowed by concerns about ventilation in the schools, preparation of staff for the new protocols and, as the winter wore on, a worsening public health situation.
Gill-Montague staying remote at least another two weeks
Turners Falls High School and Great Falls Middle School. Staff File Photo/PAUL FRANZ
Published: 12/30/2020 3:09:54 PM
MONTAGUE In-person classes won’t be considered by the Gill-Montague Regional School District until at least Jan. 15, due to ongoing high rates of COVID-19 in the area.
The district’s School Committee had previously decided that in-person classes would not be considered until at least the end of the year, after the local rates of COVID-19 spiked in early December.
This week, Superintendent Brian Beck said the district will continue to not consider in-person instruction, citing the current data from the state Department of Public Health, which was most recently updated on Dec. 24. Montague in particular is still considered a “red zone,” the Department of Public Health’s highest-risk designation.