|
 BOSTON
- Friday, August 21, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Boston Public Schools
(BPS) Superintendent Brenda Cassellius, and Boston Chief of Health and
Human Services Marty Martinez today announced that after months of
community engagement and review of crucial public health data, all students
will begin the school year learning remotely five days a week. All families
will have the opportunity to select to stay in remote learning for the
school year or opt into a hybrid plan that will include a combination of
in-person and online learning.
 |
| Add caption |
The
announcement today outlined a phased-in approach to in-school learning,
starting with students who need additional time, attention, and support to
be successful. BPS will then phase-in grade levels on a staggered basis to
allow for students and staff to adapt to new routines, for the City of
Boston to track important public health metrics, and to provide families
time to plan for the new year.
"Students,
families and schools have faced incredible challenges this year, and I want
to thank them for their work and patience. I know starting school is a
complex decision, and our priority has always been to ensure the safety of
everyone, while keeping equity for students at the forefront of every
decision," said Mayor Walsh. "This plan was developed with the
input of families, educators and public health experts, and every step will
follow science and public health data. For many of our students, school is
not just a place to learn, but also a place for nutritious meals, care and
mentoring, and social development. Throughout the school year and beyond,
we will continue the work that began long before COVID-19: to close
opportunity and achievement gaps, and give every single child the quality
education that they deserve."
The
City is closely tracking all public health data and has partnered with BPS
to establish protocols and processes to make informed decisions on a daily
basis about the return to school and continued, safe, in-person learning in
school buildings.
The
BPS reopening plan
outlines two options for families: all remote learning with five days a
week of online instruction and hybrid learning with two days a week of
learning in schools and three days of remote learning.
Students
in the hybrid model will be assigned into Group A or Group B. Students in
Group A will attend schools on Mondays and Tuesdays and students in Group B
will attend school on Thursdays and Fridays. All will learn online on
Wednesdays to allow for cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing of
buildings. There are specific plans to work with students with
disabilities, students who are working towards English language
proficiency, and others who require additional time and care to support
their learning.
If
the public health data shows that it is safe for in-school learning the
district will follow the schedule below (double dates reference the Group A
and Group B starts). Each step will begin no sooner than the listed date:
- September 21: All students
begin remote learning
- Thursday, October 1: Students
with the highest needs start in hybrid
- Thursday, October 15 (B) &
Monday, October 19 (A): Grades K0, K1, K2 return
- Thursday, October 22 (B) &
Monday, October 26 (A): Grades 1 - 3 return
- Thursday, November 5 (B) &
Monday, November 9 (A): Grades 4 - 8 (secondary schools start grades 6
- 8) return
- Monday, November 16 (A) &
Thursday, November 19 (B): Grades 9 - 12 return
"Science
and data is at the forefront of every single plan as we work to gradually
and safely reopen the City of Boston," said Chief of Health and Human
Services Marty Martinez. "By phasing grades in every two weeks,
teachers and school staff will have the time they need to get comfortable
with the safety of their buildings and classrooms before students arrive,
and allow us to monitor for any COVID activity between phases. As we have
said from the beginning, these dates are dependent on public health data,
and we will be closely monitoring the public health situation while
creating a safe space for Boston's students to learn."
To
inform planning, this summer BPS has engaged in more than 33 community
meetings with more than 4,000 stakeholders, held in 10 different languages,
including meetings with unions, nurses and public health officials, two
School Committee meetings and one City Council meeting. The district has
released two drafts of the reopening plan. The feedback gathered shaped the
planning process, especially between the first and second drafts.
"Equity
remains at the center of Boston Public Schools' planning for a safe and
successful start to the school year. This plan prioritizes meeting the
needs of our most vulnerable learners, respects family choice, and is
thorough, thoughtful and responsive to the feedback we have received from
families and teachers," said BPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius.
"We are excited for the new school year and will continue to support
the social, emotional, and physical wellness of our students, staff and
community as we lift up equity, promote health and safety, and ensure
educators, staff, and families are prepared to support our students in
their learning."
The
City and BPS have been hard at work preparing school buildings for the
return of students and staff, through cleaning, ordering of supplies and
personal protective equipment, fixing windows, updating options for air
flow, and developing health and safety protocols.
All
students and staff in schools will wash and sanitize their hands
frequently, wear masks, and practice safe distancing. Classrooms have been
reconfigured and new daily procedures have been developed for routine
cleaning of classrooms, hallways and bathrooms. Students who use yellow bus
transportation will follow the same process, and BPS is in contact with the
MBTA to plan for student transportation.
The
district has also spent the summer reviewing data and feedback on spring
remote learning and is strengthening this option with additional clarity on
learning expectations; support for teachers, students, and families; and
accountability for students making progress. This includes adopting
districtwide technology platforms, a renewed focus on social and emotional
learning, and additional outreach to families.
This
week, BPS sent a selection form to families, available in 10 languages,
asking them to indicate a learning model preference for each BPS student in
their household. Next week, BPS will begin making calls to families who
have not completed or may not have received the form to assist them with
completing it. BPS will also email all families to confirm their
selections, and will later provide a school schedule and yellow bus
transportation information, as applicable. Families may also request a
change in their initial preferences selected in the form before the start
of the school year.
|
沒有留言:
發佈留言