Supporting Students, Teachers, and the Community December 15, 2020

Dover School District Update: Supporting Students, Teachers, and the Community

The December 15, 2020, Dover School District meeting highlighted important initiatives to support students and staff during the pandemic, including migrant student programs, professional development for elementary teachers, and a message of rest and renewal for the winter break.

Afterschool Support for Migrant Students

Dover is continuing its partnership with the Essex Regional Educational Services Commission for a second year to support the district’s migrant student population, which includes approximately 50 students. The program offers:

• Collaborative afterschool tutoring and homework assistance classes.

• Online sessions held five times a week for up to 90 minutes.

This initiative ensures migrant students receive the additional academic support they need to thrive.

Vanguard Professional Development for Elementary Teachers

Elementary teachers recently completed another round of Apple Vanguard training sessions designed to integrate iPad technology into their teaching. Sessions included:

• “Welcome to the iPad”

• “Teaching and Learning with the iPad”

• “Exploring Workflows on the iPad”

• “Native iPad Apps to Inspire Learning”

The sessions were so well-received that all elementary teachers will attend them after the holiday break. Integration specialists and Apple Development Specialists will continue collaborating to provide comprehensive professional development for elementary staff.

A Message of Rest and Renewal for Staff

Recognizing the challenges of transitioning to virtual school, I expressed gratitude for the dedication of teachers and staff while emphasizing the importance of rest during the winter break.

I encouraged everyone to:

• Unplug from devices and daily decision-making.

• Recharge by engaging in personal activities that restore energy and motivation.

My message served as a reminder that teaching is a “whole-body experience” and that recharging is vital for sustaining passion and effectiveness in education.