Dear North Smithfield Families and Staff,

​At Tuesday’s School Committee Meeting, I recommended the next phase of student returns. We are looking forward to seeing our students with 504 plans and our 4th graders next week. The following week is a big week with the scheduled return of Grades 2 and 3. 

Returns to date: 

• Week of 09/21: Hybrid K-12. PK and Life Skills students (Tues-Fri)
• Week of 10/05: Return Kindergarten. (Tues-Fri)
• Week of 10/12: Return Grade 1. (Tues-Fri)
• Week of 10/19: Return Grade 5 students, as well as all students with IEPs (Tues-Fri)
• Week of 10/28: Return Grade 4 students, as well as all students with 504 Plans (Tues-Fri)
• Week of 11/02: Return of students in Grades 2 and 3. (Tues-Fri)
• Additional Returns: Under Review

NSES

Grades 2 and 3 have been a challenge with their return as they are both large classes and we are trying to maintain as much classroom spacing between students as possible. Our ELA and Math Specialists have come to the rescue and volunteered to switch their roles and become classroom teachers. This will enable us to open an additional classroom in Grades 2 and 3 as well as help permit greater social distancing in the classroom and better balance to meet the needs of both our in-person and at-home learners.  More information will be coming from NSES as we coordinate the return. 

This is truly a wonderful solution for NSES. I thank our teachers and administrators at every school as they continue to brainstorm solutions.  

We are in the process of hiring more substitute teachers to provide additional coverage and supports at all schools, with a focus on NSES. Our admin team (including myself) has been taking turns to provide extra classroom coverage and supports at NSES. Working with the NSES students has been among the highlights of our week.  

We have a new drop-off procedure at NSES which appears to be very effective. Our transportation company is re-analyzing the bus routes with the return of new grade levels in mind. We will certainly notify everyone of any changes. 

Quarantine, Contact Tracing and Precautions

As we move forward with our phased-in reopening plan, COVID cases across the state are increasing, and yes, we are seeing positive cases in our schools. 

By HIPAA law, we are limited in the amount and types of information we can share in order to assure privacy protections for families, students, and staff. When a positive case is made known to us, we are obligated to follow the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) procedures and directives around quarantining. We are aware of many of your concerns and frustrations around contact tracing timelines and notifications. Improving the speed of testing and tracing has been been a continued topic of discussion at state-level meetings between schools, RIDOH, the Department of Education, and the Governor’s office as we emphasize the need to improve speed, efficiency, and communication because of the confusion, stresses, and anxiety it creates within our communities. 

​While we are doing what we can within our schools to mitigate risks and follow the guidelines and procedures defined by RIDOH, we are increasingly concerned about what is happening outside of school which may negatively impact our ability to remain open.

To date, we are not aware of any positive cases connected to being in school and any spread seems to be coming from outside activities and interactions. When in school we want our kids to be with their friends and learn. During the evenings and weekends, we want our kids to be kids, to have birthday parties and sleepovers, and to play and have fun. We want to be able to travel again, but unfortunately, many locations are still considered “hotspots” and carry mandatory restrictions upon return. We all want to support one another and keep each other healthy. My hope is that we can collectively keep everyone well, both inside and outside school, by following all the recommended health and safety guidelines, precautions, and restrictions no matter how inconvenient.   

As a reminder please use the health screening forms (NSES Admit One Ticket and MS and HS students and district employees on the district website https://www.nsps.us/) every morning. Parents, if your child is exhibiting any of the symptoms as listed, he or she should remain home. If symptoms persist, or by recommendation of the school nurse or RIDOH, please use the free COVID testing services for K-12 provided by the State. 

Thank you everyone and have a healthy and safe weekend.

- Michael St. Jean, Superintendent

Testing Children and K-12 Testing Sites:
https://health.ri.gov/covid/testing/children/

Back to School RI:
https://www.back2schoolri.com/what-you-need-to-know/

RIDOH Outbreak Response Protocols
https://reopeningri.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2020-09-14_K-12-Playbook_edited_v2.pdf

Dear North Smithfield Families, 

I wanted to update everyone on our very fluid reopening plans. Since my last letter to you, there have been several updates at the State level:

1. Families can start the year with a Distance Learning option for all students, and not just for those with pre-existing medical conditions.  WE NEED TO KNOW HOW MANY FAMILIES ARE CHOOSING DISTANCE LEARNING TO BEGIN THE 20-21 SCHOOL YEAR. IF YOU ARE REQUESTING THIS OPTION, PLEASE INDICATE SO FOR EACH STUDENT IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD BY FILLING OUT THIS FORM    https://forms.gle/e3xiTsrFpdfaXij48
2. Staff and students will be required to wear face coverings. https://www.ride.ri.gov/Portals/0/Uploads/Documents/COVID19/ReopeningFAQs.pdf?ver=2020-07-31-095926-290. We will try to achieve six feet of social distancing where possible and give opportunities for “mask breaks”
3. The State has defined metrics that will determine the shape and scale of school reopening.  https://www.back2schoolri.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/7.29.20_SchoolMetricsSlide_FINAL.pdf. 

The Governor and Commissioner should be making their reopening decision on August 17th. Even with a decision, the models below are also subject to change. 

Distance Learning: Pre-Existing Medical, Quarantine, and Option

NSPS will offer a full Distance Learning option for students with pre-existing medical conditions and try to accommodate families who request the Distance Learning option. For this option, NSPS will require a Quarterly commitment to Distance Learning. Distance Learning will be provided to students who must temporarily quarantine. 

Grades K-5

• Some teachers will be assigned to provide dedicated distance learning instruction.
• Other teachers will support in-person students along with students who must temporarily quarantine. 

Grades 6-8

• Some teachers may be assigned to provide distance learning instruction.
• Some teachers may broadcast live lessons directly from the classroom while recording others for later playback. 

Grades 9-12

• Some teachers may be assigned to provide distance learning instruction.
• Some teachers may broadcast live lessons directly from the classroom while recording others for later playback. 
• Some courses will be offered through the Edgenuity virtual curriculum platform. 
• CTE and some elective courses may not be available under a distance learning option.  

Reopening Plan Revisions as 8/4/2020 

Splitting between in-person, full or partial models, accommodating distance learning for medical needs, or as an option, is going to seriously stretch our teachers and staff and resources, but we will do our best to accommodate the community’s needs and support our students as best as we can.  
Plan #1: Full In-Person
RIDE Definition:

• Schools resume 100% in-person operations, with some social distancing protocols still required based on current health information
• Distance learning is integrated with in-person programs & utilized as necessary

Summary

• Grades PK-12 
  • A 100% Distance Learning option will be available for students with pre-existing medical conditions and to families who choose it.
  • In-person instruction will resume Monday - Friday.

 

• Notes
  • Depending on DOH bus ridership restrictions and the number of students choosing Distance Learning, transportation could be a major obstacle.
  • Under this model, there will be limited capacity to socially distance in classrooms. 
  • The school day may be reduced for students by 45 minutes allowing teachers time to better support the mix of individual student in-person and distance learning needs and provide class coverage during the day to offset an anticipated lack of substitute teacher availability. 

Plan #2: Partial In-Person
RIDE Definition

• Elementary and transition grades re-enter in-person (staggered entry preferred)
• Prioritize in-person re-entry for vulnerable subpopulations
• Remaining groups begin with Distance Learning

Summary

• Grades PK-12 
  • A full Distance Learning option will be available for students with pre-existing medical conditions and for families who choose it.

 

• Grades PK-5
  • Monday is a Distance Learning day for all students (individualized or small group instruction/academic assistance). 
  • Tuesday - Friday are in-person instruction days. 
  • Our goal will be to return to a 5-day in-person instructional schedule. 

 

• Grades 6-12 
  • Students attend school on a Hybrid Schedule: 2 days in person, 3 days Distance Learning.
    • Monday is a Distance Learning day for all students (schools deep-cleaned, individualized or small group instruction/academic assistance).
    • Student Cohort 1 (A-L for example) - Tues/Wed in person, Thurs/Fri Distance Learning.
    • Student Cohort 2 (M-Z for example) - Tues/Wed Distance Learning, Thurs/Fri in-person.
    • Students with different last names within a household can be part of the same Cohort
• Notes
  • RIDE prioritizes PK-5 students for in-person instruction but allows for hybrid A/B cohort schedules and Distance Learning at higher grade levels.  
  • The Hybrid A/B Cohort model will enable 6 feet of in-class social distancing for secondary grade levels. 
  • Under this model, depending on the number of families who choose a Distance Learning option, six feet of social distancing in K-5 classrooms may not be possible. 
  • 5th-grade students at the Middle School will be exposed to two cohorts of students. 
  • In this model bus transportation for NSES may be restricted. 
  • The school day may be reduced for students by 45 minutes allowing teachers time to better support the mix of individual student in-person and distance learning needs and provide class coverage during the day to offset an anticipated lack of substitute teacher availability. 

Plan #3: Limited In-Person
RIDE Definition

• Elementary and transition grades re-enter in-person (staggered entry preferred)
• Prioritize in-person re-entry for vulnerable subpopulations 
• Remaining groups begin with Distance Learning

Summary

• Grades PK-12 
  • A 100% Distance Learning option will be available for students with pre-existing medical conditions and families who choose it.
  • All students attend school on a Hybrid Schedule: 2 days in person, 3 days Distance Learning.
    • Monday is a Distance Learning day for all students (schools cleaned, individualized or small group instruction/academic assistance).
    • Student Cohort 1 (A-L, for example) - Tues/Wed in person, Thurs/Fri Distance Learning.
    • Student Cohort 2 (M-Z, for example) - Tues/Wed Distance Learning, Thurs/Fri in-person.
    • Students with different last names within a household can be part of the same Cohort
• Notes
  • RIDE Limited In-Person guidance recommends that some grade levels will start the year and remain on 100% Distance Learning. NSPS believes that in-person interaction with teachers, even if limited, is preferable to 100% virtual and, unless community spread of the virus forces all schools into full Distance Learning, we will not put an entire grade level on Distance Learning.
  • Hybrid A/B Cohort model allows 6 feet of in-class social distancing at all elementary and secondary grade levels. 
  • Transportation issues alleviated.

As always, thank you all for your patience, understanding, and input as we try and pin down this moving target.



Michael St. Jean,
Superintendent

https://www.nsps.us/reopening.html
https://www.facebook.com/northsmithfieldschools/

Dear North Smithfield Families and Staff, 

Before I share some details of our plan, I want to thank all of our families, students, and staff for their quick and amazing pivot to distance learning last year.  The dedication, innovation, and patience exhibited by all was truly remarkable.  North Smithfield accepted the challenge and met it. 

We have another challenge before us: To reopen schools safely in the fall. 

The Governor’s Office and Rhode Island Department of Education have tasked school districts to develop reopening plans to cover a spectrum of possibilities. 

• Full In-Person
• Partial In-Person  
• Limited In-Person 

We have worked within our own committees and neighboring school districts and attempted to follow the current Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) guidance.  Thank you to all the parents who responded to our school reopening family survey. Our committees read your reopening concerns and suggestions.  Our principals and assistant principals read your individual concerns about your child or children.  

I wish I could address all your questions and worries with certainty, but as you will see, there are still so many unknowns. 

Although we submitted three DRAFT plans, they are not set in stone. Many questions, issues, and unknowns remain and as a result, details are likely to change: 

• Our Full and Partial In-Person plans are contingent on social distancing guidelines allowed in classrooms along with the maximum number of students allowed on a bus. 
• The concept of keeping students and teachers in “stable groups” or “pods” is contingent upon the state of community spread of the virus. Ultimately, the virus will determine what we can and cannot do safely.
• COVID-19 - related changes to physical spaces, transportation, additional cleaning, and personnel coverage all come with increased costs. While we do not have any indication of what reductions in State Aid to Education we may experience, we cannot shortchange the safety and security of our students and staff and are proceeding with what is available to us. 
• We do not know if, after developing and submitting plans, a statewide model will be chosen for all of us.   

Reopening Plans Guiding Principles
To support all stakeholders in reopening schools, RIDE and NSPS will follow five (5) guiding principles for the planning, decision-making, and execution of returning to school:

1. We will put safety first.  We will leverage science, data, and public health leadership to inform the choices we make.
2.  We will be transparent.  We will share what we know and what we do not know.  We will be clear about what we can control and what is outside of our control.
3. We will be equitable.  We will center decisions on what is best for all students, families, and educators, especially those most impacted by educational inequities and COVID-19.  We will remember that equitable does not mean equal, and we will strive to give students, families, educators, and communities what they need.
4. We will listen.  We will bring together diverse stakeholders and experts to understand the realities on the ground in order to develop and share creative solutions.
5. We will be decisive.  Given the size and scope of the challenge, we must move deliberately and make tough choices.  We will need to be flexible and nimble, and we will adapt quickly as variables on the ground change.

Common Elements to All Plans
Cleaning, Social Distancing, Facial Coverings

• Social distancing will be implemented as much as possible.  Under the hybrid models below, in-class social distancing will be possible.
• According to current guidance from RIDOH and RIDE, face coverings are strongly recommended as a general health and safety practice.  Masks are required when social distancing is not possible such as when riding the bus, school arrival/departure, and passing in hallways. 
• Increased classroom cleaning and school-wide disinfecting protocols will be in place.  New handwashing stations will be distributed throughout the school.   
• Classroom and public spaces will be reorganized to accommodate social distancing, ease of cleaning, and to minimize the use of shared materials. 

• PK-8 students will remain in stable groups or “pods” throughout the day, with an increased frequency of breaks and use of outdoor spaces.

Transportation

• Depending on RIDOH guidance, seating capacity on buses will be limited, to what degree we do not know. 
  • For both the Full and Partial in-person plans, ride-shares and other means of getting to and from school will become necessary. 

Distance Learning

• Monday Distance Learning Day: We understand the potential conflicts with some family schedules depending on the age of the student, but under all plans, the district will require additional time for cleaning and disinfecting as well as planning and individualizing instruction to support our students’ rapidly changing mix of in-person and distance learning needs. Additionally, the new Statewide School Calendar reserves 15 Mondays as either a holiday or professional development day. 
• Distance Learning Due to Illness: Distance learning will be utilized for individual students with underlying health issues, and for classes, groups of students, or individual students who must be home due to quarantine.
• Distance Learning as a Choice: In a survey to our families, 33% indicated they would choose a 100% distance learning option for their student if offered. As of this writing, the Department of Education and State has not indicated if this is permissible.

Plan #1: Full In-Person
RIDE Definition:

• Schools resume 100% in-person operations, with some social distancing protocols still required based on current health information
• Distance learning is integrated with in-person programs & utilized as necessary

DRAFT Summary

• Grades PK-12 
  • Monday is a distance learning day (deep-cleaning, planning, individualized instruction/academic assistance).
  • Tuesday - Friday are in-person instruction days. 
• Notes
  • Providing sufficient bus transportation if seating is limited to 25 students per bus (as of this writing) is a major obstacle.
  • RIDE guidance for classroom desk spacing to maintain social distancing is 3-6 feet. There will be minimal social distancing within classrooms. 

Plan #2: Partial In-Person
RIDE Definition

• Elementary and transition grades re-enter in-person (staggered entry preferred)
• Prioritize in-person re-entry for vulnerable subpopulations also
• Remaining groups begin with distance learning

DRAFT Summary

• Grades PK-4 (5) 
  • Monday is a distance learning day for all students (schools deep-cleaned, individualized or small group instruction/academic assistance).
  • Tuesday - Friday are in-person instruction days. 

 

• Grades (5) 6-12 
  • Students attend school on a Hybrid Schedule: 2 days in person, 3 days distance learning.
  • Monday is a distance learning day for all students (schools deep-cleaned, individualized or small group instruction/academic assistance).
  • Student Cohort 1 (A-L) - Tues/Wed in person, Thurs/Fri distance learning.
  • Student Cohort 2 (M-Z) - Tues/Wed distance learning, Thurs/Fri in-person.
  • Students with different last names within a household can be part of the same Cohort
• Notes
  • RIDE prioritizes PK-5, or elementary schools, for in-person instruction but allows for hybrid A/B Cohort schedules at higher grade levels.  
  • Hybrid A/B Cohort model allows 6 feet of in-class social distancing for secondary grade levels, but only 3 feet for elementary classrooms. RIDOH Guidance suggests student desks are to be 3-6 feet apart.
  • In this model, bus transportation to and from NSES and possibly grade 5 is limited. 

Plan #3: Limited In-Person
RIDE Definition

• Elementary and transition grades re-enter in-person (staggered entry preferred)
• Prioritize in-person re-entry for vulnerable subpopulations also
• Remaining groups begin with distance learning

DRAFT Summary

• Grades PK-12 
  • Students attend school on a Hybrid Schedule: 2 days in person, 3 days distance learning.
  • Monday is a distance learning day for all students (schools deep-cleaned, individualized or small group instruction/academic assistance).
  • Student Cohort 1 (A-L) - Tues/Wed in person, Thurs/Fri distance learning.
  • Student Cohort 2 (M-Z) - Tues/Wed distance learning, Thurs/Fri in-person.
  • Students with different last names within a household can be part of the same Cohort

 

• Notes
  • RIDE Limited In-Person guidance recommends that some grade levels will start the year and remain on 100% distance learning. NSPS believes that in-person interaction with teachers, even if limited, is preferable to 100% virtual and, unless community spread of the virus forces all schools into full distance learning, we will not put an entire grade level on distance learning by choice.  
  • Hybrid A/B Cohort model allows 6 feet of in-class social distancing at all elementary and secondary grade levels. RIDOH guidance suggests student desks are to be 3-6 feet apart.
  • All transportation issues alleviated.

As you can see, the logistics of reopening our schools, resuming a quality education, and ensuring the health and safety of our students, teachers, and staff is a daunting proposition while COVID-19 is still present within our community. 

I understand that this letter and the draft plan summary have probably created more questions than it answered so I have scheduled a virtual forum to discuss further. 

Topic: NSPS School Reopening Community Forum
Time: Thursday July 23, 2020 at 6:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
https://zoom.us/j/95621651719?pwd=MDlwS1VSRXFKK1J4VHY4alJrNXBhdz09
Dial by your location
        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 956 2165 1719
Password: 458291

To help us better manage the discussion of this important topic in an online community forum, we are asking that you enter your questions or comments beforehand. We will review and combine similar questions and provide as many answers as we can at the beginning of the forum.  

https://forms.gle/ZQuHMtXdKbGXg1A78

I mention at the beginning of this letter that I wish I could tell you with great certainty the plans RIDE wants us to submit will meet all needs and satisfies all concerns.  But I can’t. 

What I can do is assure you that all of us at the North Smithfield Public Schools are committed to the health, safety, and success of all our students and will do everything we can in response to whatever situation or condition our community finds itself in August and beyond. 

Sincerely, 


Michael St. Jean
Superintendent


NSPS School Reopening Website: https://www.nsps.us/reopening.html 

7/21/2020 School Committee School Reopening Presentation Slides: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tMBbW66jGLYIENGeuBUcWlGN9SI8jGe9/view

7/21/2020 School Committee School Reopening Presentation Video: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPYkWaUXMp4

Superintendent Update 4/29/2020: May/June Planning

Dear North Smithfield Families, Staff, and Students,

Please review below updates and plans for May/June. Please keep in mind that situations and guidance may change and we may update or modify a few items along the way.

May/June Statewide School Calendar

May 06, Wednesday      Planning Day for Teachers
May 15, Friday          Vacation Day
May 20, Wednesday      Planning Day for Teachers
May 25, Monday      Memorial Day
June 01, Monday     Planning Day for Teachers
June 16, Tuesday      Last Day of School

Student pickup of personal items

Each school will be bagging up the contents of student desks and lockers, labeling the bags, and releasing a time/date schedule for curbside pickup of student personal contents. 

Student return of textbooks, chromebooks, and instruments

Students in grades K-11 can hold for the summer any textbooks, workbooks, chromebooks, musical instruments, or any school-owned property currently at home and bring it back on the first day of school in the fall. Graduating Seniors will be given a separate opportunity and time to return school-owned property.  Families who move out of North Smithfield during the summer or plan to attend a school out of district, please call your child’s school and arrange for a return. 

Grading and Exams

Due to the interruption of standard classes for extended Distance Learning, report card grades for K-8 students will be issued as Pass/Fail during the last semester/trimester. 

The report card grading for students in grades 9-12 will remain unchanged as their grades are connected with School and State graduation requirements, grade point averages, college admissions, and other considerations. 

For middle and high school students, there will be no scheduled final exams at the end of the school year. While teachers may give some form of assessment at the end of this semester, there will be no comprehensive final exams.  

Graduation and end of year activities and events 

I would like to send a special thank you to  everyone who sent in their ideas and offers of help to celebrate our graduating seniors. The School Committee has pledged its full support and we are still holding onto the original graduation date of Friday, June 5th and are currently working on multiple plans and options to align with the Governor’s and DOH’s guidance. We all want to do something special and memorable for our graduating seniors.

Our principals will send specific information to let you know how we will be handling events such as kindergarten registration, honors, graduation, etc.

​