Kate:

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff

Comcast has announced that it will be offer its Internet Essentials program for free to new low-income customers for two months, amid the coronavirus outbreak. This offer is for low-income families who do not have internet service during this uncertain time and is intended to help them stay connected to families, school, workplaces, etc.

New customers will get complimentary internet essentials service for 60 days, which is normally available to qualified low-income households for $9.95 per month.

All new customers will receive a free self-install kit that includes a cable modem and WiFi router. There is no term contract.

To sign up, applicants can simply visit www.internetessentials.com. The accessible website also includes the option to video chat with customer service agents in American Sign Language. There are also two dedicated phone numbers 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.

If you need any assistance, please contact me at rsafier@gloucesterschools.com and I will connect you with our Information Technology Dept. I am hoping that students who do not have Internet access at home have mobile phones and can receive this message. But, if you know someone who could use this offer, please let them know it is available.

Richard Safier, Superintendent

Dear Parents/Guardians, and Staff,

This is the first of two notices coming your way this afternoon. This first notice provides more information about available groceries and meals.

If you recall, I sent out a notice yesterday indicating that beginning Monday, March 16, the Gloucester schools will provide lunch for ALL students who are in need of a meal (see a repeat of details below).

I want to also inform you that the Open Door is prepared to help as well. The Open Door is able to bridge the grocery gap for families through the food pantry located at 28 Emerson Avenue in Gloucester. Hours of operation are as follows:

Open Door

• Monday: 10-7
• Tuesday: 10-5
• Wednesday: 10-7
• Thursday: 10-7
• Friday: 10-5

Takeout meals are available Mon-Thurs and Saturday from 5 to 6 p.m. and on Sun from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in The Open Door dining room at 28 Emerson Avenue. Takeout meals are also offered at Trinity Congregational Church on Fri from 5 to 6 p.m. Thanks to Ms. Julie Fontaine and her tireless crew.

Repeat of Information Regarding Lunch for Students Provided by the Gloucester Public Schools

• Meals will be available between 11:00am and 12:00pm Monday through Friday
• Meals will be located at the O’Maley Innovation Middle School
• This will be a “grab and go” operation. In other words, bag lunches will be handed out with the expectation that lunch will be eaten at home or off site;
• Meals will be given out at the side door next to the cafeteria; look for the sign.
• Families can drive by and they will receive lunch, or individuals can walk up to the door and receive a meal

If you have any questions, please contact me at rsafier@hgloucsterschools.com

Best wishes,

Richard Safier, Superintendent

Twin Lights Manor is being torn down and the other Aquarius at the Back Shore buildings are coming along. One appears to be in the finishing stages, the other seems to be mid-construction and the last is just coming down.  It’s pretty interesting to see the 3 right in line in these various stages.

Just took a stroll through Stop and Shop to see what’s left. Your kids are going to love it! Seriously it seemed there are enough staples left if you still need to shop. You just may not get your preferred brand or size. Plenty of checkouts open.

Talk of the Times: St. Joseph Novena moving from Legion to Facebook

“With great sadness, Felicia Ciaramitaro Mohan announced that the public St. Joseph’s Novena and re-enactment scheduled for March 19 at the Capt. Lester S. Wass Post 3 of the American Legion has been canceled due to coronavirus concerns that are now sweeping through Cape Ann.

“We canceled everything Wednesday night after the rosary,” said Mohan. “I sent all my novena girls a message that everything was being canceled. We are devastated. Lots of tears have been shed, not only from me but all my ‘cumnares’.”

On Thursday, Mohan and novena participants did a livestream of the saying of the rosary in front of the altar at the Legion before they started the laborious process of taking it down on Friday.

“We began taking off all the breads and saints and decorations,” said Mohan.

read the entire article on the GDT website here

Let’s just take a moment and breathe deeply. A little zen might help.