Report on Back-to-School Planning Efforts School Committee Meeting - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Report on Back-to-School Planning Efforts School Committee Meeting July 22, 2020

Agenda ● Current School Reopening Guidance from DESE ● Survey Data ● Guiding Principles for Our Planning Efforts ● Draft Frameworks ○ In-Person ○ Hybrid ○ Remote ● Special Education ● Cleaning, Disinfecting, and System Enhancements ● Outstanding issues / Unanswered Questions ● Next Steps / Timeline Note: We are not making any official announcement this evening about our plans

Current Guidance from DESE ● Requiring districts to prepare a reopening plan that addresses three possible learning models: In-Person, Hybrid, and Remote. ○ From DESE Commissioner, July 10: “ At this time, given the current low transmission rates of COVID-19 in the state, and pursuant to emergency regulations recently passed by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, we are asking districts and schools to prioritize in-person instruction . Specifically, we have asked districts to focus on assessing the feasibility of bringing back students in-person, and those feasibility studies should be taking place in your districts now. ” Context for DESE’s Guidance (source: Initial Fall School Reopening Guidance, June 25, 2020) ● ○ Schools do not appear to have played a major role in COVID-19 transmission. ○ In general, rates of COVID-19 infection are lower for children than for adults. ○ If exposed, children may be less likely to infect others with COVID-19. ○ If infected, it appears children may be less likely to infect others with COVID-19. ● DESE guidance is informed by medical research and supported by its medical advisory group.

Current Guidance from DESE: Key Elements ● Physical Distancing Guidelines: ○ “Encourage districts to aim for six feet of distance between individuals when feasible”. ○ “A minimum physical distance of three feet has been established when combined with other safety measures.” ● Masks/Face Coverings ○ Required for students in Grade 2 and above. Encouraged for students in Kindergarten and Grade 1. ○ Adults are required to wear a mask at all times. ○ Exceptions may be made for medical conditions, disability impact, or other health or safety factors. ○ Mask breaks should occur during the day ● Classroom and Facility Configuration ○ Desks facing in the same direction. ○ Alternative spaces in the school (e.g cafe, gym, library, etc.) should be repurposed to increase available space. Student Groups / Cohorting ● ○ “To the extent possible, elementary students should aim to keep students in the same group throughout the day, and middle and high schools are encouraged to minimize student groups to the extent feasible”

The Current Landscape ● Response to the initial guidance that was released on June 25 has been mixed at best. ○ DESE’s medical advisors are still supporting an in-person return. ○ Many organizations, most notably the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA), have come out against an in-person return, citing safety concerns. ○ Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) authored an op-ed piece yesterday titled “The plan to reopen Mass. schools compromises too much and provides too little”. ● In the last two weeks, the momentum around a full in-person return has waned significantly. ● As of this week, most districts appear to be leaning towards Hybrid or Remote models. ● It is clear that there is no consensus on what’s best.

Survey Results ● Two surveys administered to families this summer ○ July 2 ■ More comprehensive. Feedback on a variety of topics, such as communication, or experience with remote learning, etc. ■ 1039 responses, or 66% of all DPS families ○ July 10 ■ Three Questions ■ 1210 responses, or 77% of all DPS families

Survey Results: Preference on Learning Model Families Faculty and Staff Assuming appropriate safety measures are in Assuming appropriate safety measures are in place, place, what is your personal preference for how what is your preference for returning to school in the your child will return to school in the fall? fall?

Survey Results: Comfort Level Families Faculty and Staff If in-person learning resumes in the fall, how If in-person learning resumes in the fall, how comfortable are you having your child return to comfortable are you returning to school? the school building?

Survey Results: Preference of Hybrid Model If we have to operate in a Hybrid Model (one that combines in-person and remote learning), what schedule works best for your family? Please note that the examples provided are still in development and are subject to change.

Survey Results: Will you send your student in-person? At this time, the State is asking school districts to prioritize an In-Person return to school this Fall. For planning purposes, it is essential that we have an accurate count of students who will, or will not, return to school in-person should that be the final model. Please tell us: As of today, if the Duxbury Public Schools returns to an In-Person model this Fall......

Collaborative Planning Process ● Leadership team is overseeing back-to-school planning process in 10 working groups: Communication, Academics/Continuity of Learning, Transportation, Health & Safety, Facilities, ESY/Summer Programs, Student Services, Athletics, Technology, Magic Dragon/Community Education. ● Weekly meetings with DTA (union) Advisory Committee. ● Regular meetings/check-ins with DTA Leadership. ● Multiple job-alike meetings per week for Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Director of Business and Finance, Special Education Director, and Principals. ● Weekly Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent meetings with DESE Commissioner. ● Superintendent serves on MASS Executive Committee - weekly planning meetings with DESE.

Guiding Principles For Our Planning Efforts ● The health and safety of students and staff is our number one priority. ● Equity and access are necessary considerations. ● No plan can meet all needs - polarized thoughts on what people want. ● Increased academic rigor and student engagement. ● More accountability / more scheduled teaching and learning time. ● Attendance and assignments are mandatory and graded. ● We could be in this for the long haul. ● Flexibility/Adaptability is of paramount importance. We will continually assess, adjust, and communicate. ● There is no substitution for in-person learning.

Framework of an In-Person Model ● Adherence to the 3-foot guideline would allow all students to attend in-person. ● Students will remain in cohorts to the extent possible. ● Student desks must be in rows facing forward at all times. ● Students and Staff must wear masks all day (including on the bus); mask breaks will occur throughout the day. ● During lunch, while masks are off, students must adhere to a 6-foot guideline, and will be spread out between classrooms, hallways, and cafeteria. ● Hallway traffic patterns will be revised to maintain flow and limit peer-to-peer contact. ● No visitors/volunteers will allowed into the school buildings. ● Modifications will be required for large-group gatherings, such as PE classes, music, recess, etc.

Additional Considerations About an In-Person Model ● This would not be “business as usual” - it will not feel like the schools to which we are all accustomed. ○ Little movement in classrooms; students sitting all day. ○ Pre-set classroom furniture configuration eliminates small-group instruction. ○ Limited student collaboration/interaction. ○ Possible that we would have to stagger drop off times - less time on learning. ○ No shared manipulatives/supplies. ○ Limited lab experiments due to sanitizing requirements. ● Faculty and Staff safety considerations ○ Faculty and staff exposed to large groups of students. ○ Practical questions to be answered, such as do teachers simply “stand and deliver” to avoid contact with students? ● This model leaves us vulnerable to unpredictable health-related scenarios (e.g. need to quarantine, etc.).

Framework of a Hybrid Model ● Key Benefits of Hybrid (vs. In-Person or Remote) ○ Allows for some in-person learning. ○ Approximately 50% of the student population would be in attendance at any one time, which allows for adherence to 6-foot social distancing guideline in most cases. ● Preferred Hybrid Option at this time: Students attend in-person/remote every other day (A/B Model). ○ Optimized schedule for student engagement and continuity of learning. ○ Addresses social-emotional learning needs of students (e.g. connectedness to peers, teachers, etc.). ○ Students benefit from direct teacher instruction and are able to apply skills learned in school independently on remote learning days. ○ Frequency of in-person contact with students makes it easier to assess progress, fill in learning gaps, assign grades, etc. ● Likely a four-day model, with Wednesdays reserved for student independent learning, student extra help/support, teacher planning/collaboration, and cleaning.