NOVEMBER 2, 2020 BOE MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Following months of planning for our students' safe return to school this fall and then finally welcoming students back in September, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Shaps and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Annie Ward provided an update to the Board and community on hybrid and fully-remote learning -- offering a glimpse of what school looks like during the pandemic just a few months into the 2020-2021 school year -- and outlined next steps for continuing to honor family preferences for learning model choice moving into the next quarter. Through the voices of students and teachers, they presented "Reopening Snapshots" demonstrating the challenges and complexities of engaging students in a blended learning environment.
Among the points Dr. Shaps and Ms. Ward emphasized:
- Within the constraints of limited building space capacity and social distancing guidelines, District administrators have been accomplishing the goal of maximizing in-person learning and accommodating as many students as possible for daily in-person classroom instruction.
- Across the District, we have remained true to our priorities (discussed last May) that guided our planning process, and these priorities have been brought to life in new, creative and imaginative ways.
- Despite the challenges faced by our community -- and schools across the country -- our teachers have been working to ensure that all students feel known, safe, secure and valued when they are with us learning either in-person or remotely.
- MUFSD's pre-pandemic focus as a system on fostering inner-resilience and mindfulness has likely contributed to the ability of our students and staff to manage during the pandemic.
- First rounds of elementary literacy and math diagnostic assessments have been completed at each school; this amounts to 2,350 running records/notes administered by our teachers measuring student progress.
- Teachers at all levels are creating, innovating and experimenting; many teachers are using online tools to connect students and foster collaboration.
Student and Teacher Voices: How are We Doing? What Does School Look Like (the "Lived" Experience), and What Does it Mean to be a Student During the Pandemic?
- Mamaroneck Ave. School students talk about what it's like to learn in a blended learning environment. Watch 5th grade student panel portion of the meeting HERE.
- A panel of Mamaroneck High School students discuss experiences of hybrid and full-remote learning. Watch MHS student panel portion of the meeting HERE.
- MHS 9th Grade English Teacher Erin Ramirez talks about how she builds community in the classroom and develops lessons that allow for critical thinking. "The key is to try to deliver instruction as effectively and efficiently as possible, while also maintaining relationships with students," she says. She underscores the layers of complexity and layers of planning associated with teaching in a blended learning environment. Watch 9th grade English class clip HERE.
Are You Interested in Changing Your Child's Learning Model?
Attention MUFSD Parents: Later today, you'll receive an email asking you to complete a short Learning Model Change Request Form if your family has decided you would like a change in your child's learning model plan (from fully-remote to hybrid or from hybrid to fully-remote) for the next quarter beginning Monday, November 30th. Keep an eye out for this form, and make sure to complete the form by Nov. 11.
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