Superintendent Miffed After Parents Bring Kids To Party: Patch PM

Today is Monday, Sept. 28. Here are some of the top stories we are covering.

Milton school officials are being forced to contemplate how district students are taught after reports of a large gathering of students Friday night near Presidents Golf Course reached school officials.

According to a letter sent to district parents on Sunday, between 50 and 100 students attended a party near the Milton-Quincy line less than two weeks after Milton schools opened up for the school year offering an every-other-day hybrid learning model.

"To hear that parents and guardians were dropping their children off to go up to this place to party or to, you know, convene in large gatherings is very disappointing," Interim Superintendent James Jette told WCVB on Saturday.

Jette did not immediately return an email to Patch seeking comment Monday morning.

Read the full story here

Other top stories

Massachusetts Restaurant Rule Changes Go Into Effect Today

Changes that allow for bar seating at restaurants and increase the number of people who can sit at a table take effect Monday, a needed boost for a beleaguered industry trying to find level footing as the weather turns.

Up to 10 people will be able to sit at an indoor or outdoor restaurant table — an increase from six — while bar seating will for the first time since early March reopen for people ordering food, Gov. Charlie Baker announced last week. Bars and nightclubs will remain closed.

Other social distancing guidelines and mandates, including indoor capacity limitations, remain in effect.

Salem's Halloween Balance: Support Business, Keep Down Crowds

The biggest month of the year in Salem is going to be one massive balancing this year as officials look to promote business, and allow residents and visitors to have a little fun, while keeping crowds moving and to a minimum due to the coronavirus health crisis.

The city canceled all major Halloween events — such as the Haunted Happenings Grand Parade and the Mayor's Night Out — but is bracing for an influx of visitors throughout the month to annual attractions of the holiday's unofficial hometown.

"There is no gate around the city," Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll told the Salem City Council at its last virtual meeting. "While places are going to be open, we want to make sure they are operating within the requirements."

Barnstable High Principal Placed On Leave

Barnstable High School Principal Patrick Clark was placed on leave, according to school officials.

Superintendent Meg Mayo-Brown emailed parents Monday morning to announce the news and said Assistant Superintendent Kristen Harmon will take over the high school as the "administrator in charge."

No reason for why Clark was placed on leave was provided in the email.

MA One Of The Safest States To Reopen School: Report

At least one report agrees with Gov. Charlie Baker and state education officials. Massachusetts is the fourth-safest state in the country to reopen schools, WalletHub said Monday morning.

All New England states were in the top 10, including No. 1 Vermont, No. 2 Maine and No. 5 New Hampshire. But unlike many of its neighbors, Massachusetts didn't benefit from strong infrastructure rankings as much as it did a low risk of COVID-19 infections.

WalletHub ranked the states using 15 metrics across risk of the virus and health and financial infrastructure. Massachusetts was fifth in the former and 21st in the latter.

Also

Former Swim Coach Arrested In Connection To Nude Photos

A former Newton North High School swim coach who has worked in Newton, Belmont and the Cape, was released on $1,000 bail after he was arrested and accused of taking inappropriate photographs of teenage girls.

Salem State Wants Students Who Went To Large Party To Get Coronavirus Tests

Police say there were more than 50 people at the apartment party on Becket Street Friday night before they broke it up.

Merrimack College Goes Remote As It Deals With Outbreak

The college plans to return to in-person classes after a week of remote learning.

Man Killed In Stoughton Hit-And-Run

A man in his 20s died after being hit by a car on Route 139 in Stoughton on Sunday morning, police said.

Medford Home Listed For Just $1

Got a buck to spare? You could be the next owner of his historic Medford home. But expect to open the wallet up some more to preserve it.

Drunken Cape Man Passes Out At Wheel, Drags Officer: Police

Barnstable police said James Ledoux, 23, was passed out when he dragged a police officer with his car when his foot slipped off the break.