Worcester Public Schools update from Superintendent Binienda

The following went out to all WPS staff last night from Superintendent Binienda: 

I am emailing to share updated information on the coronavirus. Rob Pezzella, Deb McGovern and I are in daily contact with the Worcester Public Health Department. We are coordinating our work with City Departments also.
The WPS response to the coronavirus is to continue to focus on prevention. WPS staff should be using good hygiene practices, especially handwashing procedures. Facilities staff are disinfecting school services daily, and buses are cleaned as needed. All out of state field trips have been cancelled for the remainder of the school year.
The WPS District Office is preparing an education plan of studies if it becomes necessary for students to learn at home. More information will be sent to principals this week.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education approved new policies for this school year : 

1. Chronic attendance will be used for school accountability purposes from the first day of school 2019 till March 1, 2020;
2. Schools who have already completed 5 snow days and will have 185 days completed by the end of the school year, do not have to make up additional days;
3. Schools do not have to make up quarantine days if days are assigned after March 16.
At this time, all WPS schools remain open. This is a fluid situation. I will update you as I become informed of any updates.

Back to me: the online guidance on this is here. Worcester has had five snow days, thus the current June 17th end date gets us through day 185. If there is a snow day between now and March 15, though, the state says it would need to be made up.