MATTAPOISETT — Old Rochester Regional School District Superintendent Michael Nelson issued a message of thanks to the school community for their work during the 2020-21 school year.

"Like every year, our faculty and staff are the lifeblood of our schools. Our educators went the extra mile by adjusting their teaching practices, learning new technologies or strategies to educate their students, and found innovative ways to stay connected with their students and help students stay connected with each other," Nelson said. "Our principals and administrative staff spent significant time planning how to get our students safely back in school, supported our teachers throughout the year and regularly communicated with students and families. I would also like to thank all of our other building and department staff such as food services, technology, custodial and maintenance and transportation, who went above and beyond to make sure our students could learn safely and had the resources they needed."

Nelson thanked building, district and municipal health staff, who the district said also played a crucial role this year in making sure the proper protocols and precautions were in place to help students and staff stay as safe and healthy as possible.

"Our first priority throughout the school year was ensuring our students and staff remained safe and healthy," Nelson said. "Our nurses and physicians across the district continually monitored health guidance and created and adjusted our health protocols and precautionary measures as needed. We also received invaluable guidance from our local health departments in Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester and we are grateful for their support and advice as we navigated the year."

Nelson thanked Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester’s government officials, as well as the ORR school committees, for their work this year.

"Our partners across the Tri-Towns are always valuable advocates for the district, and we were especially grateful for their advice and assistance this year," Nelson said. "They helped us to make decisions and overcome challenges as we planned for the known and unknown, and as always they were wonderful supporters of our schools."

Finally, Nelson recognized all of the ORR school district’s students and families.

"We are very appreciative of the patience, support and cooperation we've received from our students and families during this unprecedented year," Nelson said. "Our students demonstrated incredible perseverance and resilience and made the best of various learning models and events that needed to be held in non-traditional ways. Of course, our students would not be as successful as they are each year without the support of their parents and families. We wish our entire school community a safe, healthy and enjoyable summer."