Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 4/6/2021
HATFIELD – On March 30, the Hatfield School Committee met to discuss the possibilities of creating an after school – along with a potential before school – program.
According to Jill Robinson, chairperson of Hatfield School Committee, the Hatfield Public Schools have had an after school care program for many years. She said, “We feel it’s a very important service to be able to offer to families.”
Chris Taggart from Collaborative for Educational Services (CES), was a part of the meeting, as he shared the importance and facts behind this program.
Robinson said, “Our previous superintendent and School Committee leadership had met with Chris before to research the CES after school program in case we ever needed or decided to switch vendors.”
Principal Conor Driscoll led the questions during the meeting, mostly focusing on COVID-19 protocols and safety measures. Some of these questions included mask breaks, social distancing, contact tracing, ventilation, etc.
Taggart assured committee members it is best to keep students in the same cohorts, based on who signs up for the program. Also, to ensure everyone’s safety, there is a mandated daily check-list/symptom checker of staff going in to work, along with students. Anyone that should feel sick must be sent home to isolate.
“The use of outdoor space whenever possible would be a go to, to get out there and move whenever it’s nice outside,” said Taggart.
Taggart was open to any ideas and/or suggestions that the Hatfield Public Schools had for this program. He claimed they could “pivot” wherever and whenever needed.
CES and the Hatfield Public Schools are required and will be sure to follow all COVID-19 protocols that they follow on a day-to-day basis. Hand washing, sanitation and cleaning will be done as it is during the school day.
CES will communicate not only with the school but families in the community as well.
Robinson said last year, the program that was held both before and after school had about 70 kids.
For this year, she claimed, “We know it will be beneficial for HPS families given past participation.”
When a motion was put into play, a unanimous yes reigned through all committee members.
Robinson followed up, “Conor Driscoll has already sent out a pre-registration form to all elementary school families. The plan is that the program will begin the week after April vacation.”