MSAD 49 Returning to Classroom Instruction Fall 2020 Plan

Dear Parents, Guardians, Students and Staff,

 

Consideration of the health and safety of students and staff are central to this plan. We also understand that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption to the lives of our students and their families, our staff, and broader community.  There are many interrelated factors that must all be elements of this plan, most of which are fixed points set forth by the MDOE and Maine CDC. Please know that our goal is a full return to in-person learning, and short of that, returning as many students as possible, as frequently as we can. Schools serve a broader purpose, beyond educational programming—schools serve to care for children in many other ways that for many are vitally important, and the absence of these supports has created great stress.  Our planning, discussions, recommendations, and decisions going forward are all driven by what is safest for all people who will be in our buildings, what is possible, and what is sustainable this school year.  

 

On July 31, the Maine Department of Education released the health risk levels by county and is set to do so again on August 14: RED (high risk of COVID-19 spread ), YELLOW (elevated risk of COVID-19 spread), and GREEN (relatively low risk of COVID-19 spread). While the designation of green in all 16 counties reflects a positive status for our state, the Maine Department of Education also requires schools to meet very specific criteria before in-person learning can occur.  Though Kennebec County and Somerset County are designated green, the MDOE further states, that schools in “green” counties may need to use a hybrid instructional model if there is insufficient capacity or other factors (facilities, staffing, geography/transportation, etc.) that may prevent full implementation of the health and safety requirements, as identified in the Maine DOE Framework for Returning to Classroom Instruction’s six requirements for protecting health and safety.

 

We continue to assess school readiness to implement current Maine CDC’s guidance for schools.  These are also requirements for schools in Maine to return to in-person instruction.  Face masks will be required by all people, including staff and students.  Additionally, we must ensure that we prepare our classrooms to meet physical distancing requirements.  Students must be three feet apart, and adults must have 6 feet of distance between themselves and any other person.  We have been removing all non-essential furniture and materials to maximize our classroom spaces, and have ordered plexiglass barriers, and individual desks to help us meet these distancing requirements.  The physical distancing requirements also extend to our use of school buses. Though our capacity to transport students to school, and to access in-person learning is reduced, we are working hard to bring as many children back into our school building as possible, while meeting and maintaining these safety guidelines.

Our District is planning for three scenarios: a full return to in-person learning, continued remote learning, or hybrid model that will provide students with some access to in-person. Information about the capacity of each school building, and the capacity of the district to transport students to our schools, options for return to classroom instruction has been gathered, reviewed, and assessed. 

Three Scenarios:

●      Full Return to In-person Learning

o   Students are welcome to return to school for

in-person learning

o   Families may opt to select 100% remote learning for their child(ren)

o   All students will be assigned a laptop for remote learning, and in the event that the District must shift to hybrid or full remote models

o   Attendance and participation are required

o   Grading system will be utilized; grades will be reported in Infinite Campus

o   If a parent wants to change the option of remote pathway, please contact building principal

·      Hybrid “Blue and Gray” Days

○      Students will attend in-person classes on their designated Blue or Gray day.  Blue and Gray in-person class days will alternate.  A “Blue” student will participate in learning remotely on a “Gray” day.  Remote learners will participate via Google Meets throughout the school day (synchronously with their classmates or asynchronously). 

○      All students will be assigned a laptop for remote learning

○      Blue and Gray days will be noted on the hybrid school calendar

○      Attendance and participation are required

○      Grading system will be utilized; grades will be reported in Infinite Campus

○      Families may opt to select 100% remote learning for their child(ren)

○      If a parent wants to change the option of 100% remote pathway, please contact building principal.

●      100% Remote Learning

○      Remote learners will participate via Google Meets and other Google-based tools throughout the school day (synchronously with their classmates or asynchronously).

○      All students will be assigned a laptop for remote learning

○      Attendance and participation are required

○      Grading system will be utilized; grades will be reported in Infinite Campus

We continue our work to develop and refine procedures for the safe reopening of schools. The District is making preparations to promote healthy behaviors, environments, and operations that reduce the spread of COVID-19 and will conduct ongoing assessment to monitor the District’s capacity to operate in any of the three scenarios.

In consideration of capacity and MSAD 49’s ability to meet social distancing guidelines, the District is currently in a position to offer a hybrid model, with two cohorts alternating each day.  The first Student Day is September 8 (BLUE DAY).

Though it is our goal to have every student, who is able to, attend school in person, a phase-in model beginning with a hybrid is the plan. Students in all grades will be grouped into two cohorts, attending on alternating days (Blue/Gray).  After an orientation period of preparing students for the new environment, procedures, and a reacclimation to school, the District will reassess the plan and our capacity to either move to a full re-opening or remain in a hybrid mode.  This initial phase will remain in effect for three weeks, until September 24.  The staff and administration will daily/weekly assess the school environment and monitor risk levels as provided by the MDOE and Maine CDC. The Board will be updated September 17 and recommendations for consideration and approval of Full Return to In-Person Learning, or remaining in Hybrid mode. It should also be understood the 100% Remote Learning may be required.  Individual school plans are in development, with detail specific to facility and staffing.

MSAD 49 Returning to Classroom Instruction Fall 2020 Plan

 

Stay safe and be well.

Roberta Hersom

MSAD 49 Superintendent of Schools