FALL 2020 RESTART PLAN: PREPARING FOR SCHOOL DURING THE PANDEMIC
Prioritizing Safety Maximizing In-Person Instruction Promoting Social-Emotional Well-Being
Dear Community Members,
A week ago, we shared a reopening planning timeline including Governor Cuomo's early August deadline for determining the status of school reopening, our guiding principles (priorities) for the reopening of school, and general details of a hybrid model. As mentioned, our planning for reopening schools prioritizes the health and safety of students and staff; maximizes daily in-person instruction; promotes social and emotional well-being; and commits to provide secondary level students with the breadth and depth of course offerings at HMX and MHS.
NYS Department of Health and NYS Education Department Release Guidelines for Schools Late last week, the New York State Departments of Health and Education issued school reopening guidelines mandating a host of regulations and assurances covering every aspect of school operations. We are presently working with our partners, the Mamaroneck Teachers' Association, to agree on the components of hybrid and remote learning models for purposes of publicly posting school reopening plans (hybrid and remote) by July 31st. To no surprise, area superintendents are seeking clarification and specific answers to a myriad of reopening-related questions (e.g.,daily health screening, social distancing rules, transportation) and concerns. We continue to consider all viable options for the use of learning spaces -- indoor and outdoor -- to promote safe and effective teaching and learning; however, it is important to point out that instructional spaces (temporary, permanent, and off-site) must meet strict NYSED health and safety regulations and thus limits the feasibility of creative space solutions.
Revised Classroom Audits Suggest we can Accommodate 50% at Elementary and Middle School Levels At present, based on our architects' revised audits of classroom space square footage relative to social distancing guidelines, we expect to begin the school year with a hybrid model utilizing morning and afternoon sessions organized as two cohorts of approximately 50% student enrollment at elementary schools and the middle school and 33% enrollment at MHS. In the coming weeks we will outline specific teaching and learning expectations for each hybrid model component.
Continuing to Seek Feedback on All Levels: Communications Suggestion Box on Website Shortly for Community Members' Concerns, Questions, Comments Over the course of the last week, elementary and secondary level principals sought feedback from PTA leaders, SEPTA, Stanford D Lab participants, teachers, and high school students on the features of hybrid learning models. Following submission of formal reopening plans, we will host a series of building-level informational sessions and post the recorded meetings on the District website. We've published a Reopening FAQ document to address parent questions and will continue to respond to questions in the coming weeks. During the next several days, we also will add on the Fall 2020 Restart page a new "Communications Suggestion Box" where you can ask additional questions, make a comment or post a concern.
Curriculum Areas of Focus to Ensure Robust Learning and Adaptability Between Learning Models if Necessary While we plan for as much in-person learning as possible, we recognize that, pending conditions attached to the public health crisis, we may need to pivot to a remote learning environment. In the elementary grades during the month of September, we will prioritize literacy and math instruction and assessment of students during daily in-school learning sessions. At the secondary level, we will implement a standards-based curriculum and advance the curriculum each day consistent with a regular academic year.
Planning for the Remote Aspect of Hybrid Learning Ensuring that all families have equitable access to technology is a priority for any of our blended learning plans. In early August we will survey families about technology needs based on our commitment to provide each student with a tech device and/or allow families to opt out for use of a personal device.
We continue to plan for uncertainty and recognize that 2020-2021 will be different from what we hope for or can fully realize. As partners in learning we will honor your perspectives, seek your input, and work to provide the most vibrant and impactful educational experience in the days ahead.
Warm Regards,
Dr. Robert I. Shaps
Superintendent of Schools