COVID-19 Guidance/On the Desktop Messages
The Department uses On the Desktop messages to communicate directly with superintendents and other district officials. During the COVID-19 pandemic, DESE has also been sending On the Desktop messages to private schools. If you are a district or private school leader and have not been receiving these messages, please make sure that the contact information in our online directory is accurate. If you are a public school district, and your information needs to be updated, please work with the directory administrator for your district to make the needed change. If you are a private school leader and need to update your information, please email Kerrie Anastas .
Update on Influenza Vaccination — January 15, 2021
Supplemental Guidance for Student Groups and School Events for School Year 2020-2021 — August 31, 2020 (Updated January 11, 2021)
Pooled Testing in K-12 Schools — January 8, 2021
Guidance on Amendments to Student Learning Time Regulations — December 18, 2020
Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios, July 17, 2020 (Updated September 14, November 23, and December 16, 2020)
Career/Vocational Technical Education Reopening Guidelines — Revised August 25, 2020 and December 14, 2020
Updates to Guidance on Interpreting DPH COVID-19 Health Metrics — November 6, 2020
Response to questions about Governor Baker's November 2 revised executive order on masks — November 3, 2020
Abbott Labs/BinaxNOW Webinar Recording
Abbott Labs/BinaxNOW Webinar Presentation
Phase I — BinaxNOW Rapid Point of Care COVID-19 Testing for K-12 Schools
October 12, 2020 Installment of FAQs
Guidance for Courses Requiring Additional Safety Considerations for Fall 2020, July 24, 2020 (Updated October 13, 2020)
September 21, 2020 Installment of FAQs
Reporting Requirement for Positive COVID-19 Cases and Mobile Response Overview — September 18, 2020
Protocol for Requesting Mobile Rapid Response Units — September 11, 2020
DPH Guidance for School Health Professionals, Including Sept. 3 Information for School Health Offices 
Teachers and Critical Support Staff in Remote Learning Districts, Vulnerable Students, Children of Teachers, Regional Calculations, and SOA Deadline — August 21, 2020
Key Municipality List
Access to Mobile Testing — August 20, 2020
Joint Memo Clarifying Key Health and Safety Requirements for Schools — August 19, 2020
DPH-DESE Alignment Slides
DESE-DPH Joint Memo
Joint Guidance on Modified Sports Seasons for School Year 2020-21 — August 18, 2020
MIAA-DESE Sports Guidance
Guidance Memo to Private K-12 Schools, July 29, 2020
Guidance for Districts and Schools on Interpreting DPH COVID-19 Metrics — August 11, 2020 (Updated November 6, 2020)
Feedback on Preliminary Fall Reopening Plans — August 6, 2020
Feedback on Preliminary Fall Reopening Plans, August 6, 2020
Submission Process for Final Fall Reopening Plans due August 10 — August 5, 2020
Remote Learning Partner Information — August 4, 2020
Remote Learning Partner Information
Adult and Community Learning Services Fall Reopening Guidance, August 2020
Supplemental Information for Science Courses and Laboratory Work for Fall 2020 — August 3, 2020
Creating Positive Learning Environments: Recommendations and Resources to Support the Social Emotional Well-being of Students, Staff, and Families — August 3, 2020
Student Learning Time Waiver Process — July 30, 2020
Process to Request a Modification of Structured Learning Time Requirements, July 30, 2020
Career/Vocational Technical Education Reopening Guidelines — July 29, 2020
Career/Vocational Technical Education Reopening Guidelines — Revised August 25, 2020 and December 14, 2020
Additional Staff Training Days this Fall — July 27, 2020
Memorandum of Understanding Between DESE, MTA, AFT-MA, and BTU
Guidance on Courses Requiring Additional Safety Considerations and Remote Learning — July 24, 2020
Remote Learning Guidance for Fall 2020 (Updated October 19, 2020)
Guidance for Courses Requiring Additional Safety Considerations for Fall 2020
Transportation and Facilities Guidance — July 22, 2020
Fall Reopening Transportation Guidance, July 22, 2020
Fall Reopening Facilities and Operations Guidance, July 22, 2020
Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios — July 17, 2020
Two-Step Process and Online Form/Template for Fall Reopening Plans — July 15, 2020
Two-Step Process for District Fall Reopening Plans, July 15, 2020
Additional Guidance on Fall Reopening Plans — July 10, 2020
Fall Reopening Frequently Asked Questions, as of July 10, 2020
Comprehensive Special Education Guidance for the 2020-21 School Year — July 9, 2020
Comprehensive Special Education Guidance for the 2020-21 School Year Memo — minor text updates made 7/23/2020
Remote Learning Technology Essentials Grant and Purchasing PPE — July 6, 2020
Comprehensive Summer School Guidance — July 1, 2020
Comprehensive Summer School Guidance
Initial Fall School Reopening Guidance — June 25, 2020
Initial Fall School Reopening Guidance — June 25, 2020 (Translated versions)
Initial Fall Reopening Guidance Presentation
Mass Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics Endorsement
Opinion by Joseph G. Allen: Yes, kids should be going back to school in the fall
Summer and Vacation Learning Program Grant Posted — June 19, 2020
New SOA Plan Deadline — June 15, 2020
Summer/Vacation Learning Program Grant — June 11, 2020
Acquisition Support for Safety Supplies — June 10, 2020
K-12 Health Supply/PPE Acquisition Support
Health Supply/PPE Estimate spreadsheet form
Message about Summer 2020 Special Education Services — June 7, 2020
Guidance about Summer 2020 Special Education Services
Required Safety Supplies for Re-Opening Schools — June 5, 2020
Guidance on Required Safety Supplies for Re-Opening Schools
Competitive Team Building Exercise with Commissioner Riley — June 5, 2020
Initial Guidance on Summer School Message — June 4, 2020
Initial Guidance on Summer School Document
Help with P-EBT Card Use — June 3, 2020
Update on CD Requirements for Classes of 2021-23 — May 26, 2020
Upcoming Grant for Summer and Vacation Programs — May 22, 2020
High School Graduation Guidelines from DPH/HHS — May 21, 2020
Return to School Working Group — May 14, 2020
Remote Learning Survey — May 13, 2020
Letter to Families and High School Guidance — May 8, 2020
Letter to Families
High School Guidance
CARES Act RFP Available — May 8, 2020
Advanced Placement Testing Guidelines — May 7, 2020
Update on Competency Requirements for Class of 2020 — April 29, 2020
FEMA Disaster Reimbursement — April 27, 2020
School Year Requirements — April 24, 2020
Updated Remote Learning Guidance — April 24, 2020
Schools to Remain Closed Through End of School Year — April 21, 2020
Special Education Tuition Guidance from the Operational Services Division — April 17, 2020
Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) — April 14, 2020
Tips for Safe Videoconferencing — April 13, 2020
Legislation Enacted on MCAS, SOA Plans, and Regional School District Budgets — April 10, 2020
USED Approves Massachusetts Waiver Request for ESSA Grants Due to COVID-19 — April 8, 2020
April Vacation — April 3, 2020
Extension of Deadlines for Non-Resident Chapter 74 Admissions — April 1, 2020
Letter to Families about Remote Learning During COVID-19 — March 30, 2020
USDA Reimbursements for All Districts and Online Advanced Placement Tutoring — March 30, 2020
Recommendation on Payments for Contracted Services — March 27, 2020
Remote Learning Recommendations During COVID-19 School Closures — March 26, 2020
Professional Licensure Extensions — March 21, 2020
Payments to Hourly Employees — March 20, 2020
Update for Private Schools — March 19, 2020
Suspending K12 Operations — March 15, 2020
Coronavirus Guidance from Conference Call — March 13,2020
Coronavirus Updates on 180-Day Requirement and More — March 10, 2020
Coronavirus update and conference call with DESE and DPH — March 5, 2020
Last Updated: January 15, 2021
Content retrieved on 1/25/2021 from: http://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop.html.