Blog Posts - North Smithfield Public Schools

Reopening Update: Transportation Needs

9/22/2020

Dear North Smithfield Families,

I want to commend the kids for the way they have committed to keeping their classmates and teachers safe by wearing their masks and adjusting to new routines. I also want to thank our teachers for juggling the diverse learning needs of students both at-home and in-person simultaneously. Finally, thank you parents for all of your patience as we get used to this new reality and make adjustments and improvements.

I know extending our reopening beyond the Hybrid model is on everyone’s mind. Towards that goal we are assessing instruction, transportation, classroom space, movement of students, and general operations and protocols. In order to do this, we have some COVID-related capacity reductions and bottlenecks that we need to address, such as:

Transportation
Arrival/Dismissals
Maintaining social distancing within classrooms and other spaces
Cafeteria seating and breakfast and lunch services

Transportation Survey

As per the Rhode Island Department of Health regulations, school bus capacity will be restricted to 50% capacity or a maximum of 36 students. We need to know if we will exceed this limit and on which routes.

Below is a transportation survey form for those who absolutely require AM and/or PM bus transportation and have no other means to get to or from school.

If you are able to individually, or by carpool, drop-off and/or pick-up students every day, both morning and afternoon, we thank you, and you do not need to fill out this form.

We understand there are some days when bus transportation is not used such as when students remain after school for seasonal athletics and activities. We still need you to indicate that PM transportation is required as athletic seasons change and there will be days when afterschool activities are be canceled, yet we still need to be sure that we do not exceed the new bus capacity limits.

NSPS Transportation Survey Form link: https://forms.gle/7Ee3MVurGNDRxNBz5

We will close the survey Sunday night on Sept. 27th.

Thank you,

Michael St. Jean, Superintendent

Reopening Update: Welcome Back!

9/11/2020

Dear North Smithfield Families,

I wanted to take a moment to welcome everyone back to a most unusual and challenging of new school years and give you a few updates.

Transportation

Bus routes are now posted at https://www.dattcoschoolbus.com/my-childs-route/?did=6.
Most of our buses can seat 77 passengers, but we are limited to 36 maximum
Students must wear masks on buses and windows will be open.
Students can double up in a seat if they are from the same family.
During our Hybrid “soft opening” we should be able to accommodate all riders. However, I have instructed the bus company that if they reach the 36 student maximum, and there are a few stops remaining along the route, they can temporarily exceed the cap. We will not leave students at the bus stop and will rebalance as needed.
Busing restrictions are one of our major impediments to expanding beyond the Hybrid model. I will be posting a survey in order to identify those who absolutely need AM and/or PM bus service and who can rely on parent pickup/dropoff or rideshares.

Instruction

Our teachers this year have a major challenge balancing at-home, in-person, and hybrid instruction.
We have new systems, procedures, and methods to meet our diverse learner academic and social-emotional needs.
Attached are two curriculum slide decks used during teacher orientation and training.

Facilities

Over the summer we have updated, serviced, and tuned our HVAC systems and have passed inspection by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH).
RIDOH also reviewed and approved our cleaning procedures, PPE, supplies, isolation rooms, and procedures.
Under the Hybrid, all classrooms can maintain 6 feet of social distancing between students.

Concerns

These are potential issues I have shared with the School Committee during the past few meetings. Our goal is a Full Return, but in order to realize this we will have to address and weigh the following concerns:

With a 36 student limit on a 77 seat bus, we will not be able to transport all students and will have to rely heavily on family and rideshare transportation to and from school.
To maintain 6 feet of social distancing within our classrooms, based on the average square footage of our classrooms, we are limited to 14-16 students per room. Under a Full Return model (minus the at-home learners), we will not be able to maintain the recommended 6 feet of social distance between student seats. While the RIDOH allows for as little as 3 feet of separation in a classroom, this is certainly not ideal.
Under Full Return, maintaining social distancing during arrivals, dismissals, cafeteria/meal services, and during the general movement of students, becomes exceptionally challenging.
As I expressed at the school committee meetings, staffing is a concern in that we do not know who may have to go in and out of quarantine and there is a lack of substitute teacher coverage statewide. We will have to be very creative and flexible.
Our student and staff safety is paramount. We must emphasize full compliance with mask-wearing and hand sanitizing. This is crucial to mitigate risks and permit expanding to Full Return where 6 feet of classroom social distancing is no longer possible.

The Hybrid start will allow us to assess conditions and further organize based on the new reality and not on conjecture. It will allow students and teachers time to acclimate to the new processes and procedures. As I mentioned at the beginning of this email, while I am confident that North Smithfield is up to any challenge, this one will take a whole community effort.

Michael St. Jean,
Superintendent

School Reopening Update 8-26-2020

8/26/2020

Dear North Smithfield Families and Staff,

During the Tuesday, August 18th, School Committee Meeting (https://youtu.be/xDKkf7xOc3Y), I made a number of recommendations regarding school reopening. I want to take this opportunity to reiterate and expand upon my recommendations.

School Reopening Recommendations

Districts in the state have begun to announce a return to school under full Distance Learning as well as a variety of other models. At this time, we firmly believe that some in-person learning is preferable to none. At Tuesday’s School Committee Meeting, I recommended to the North Smithfield Schools that we conduct a “soft” reopening under the Hybrid Model for all students in PK-12.

A full Distance Learning option will be available for students with pre-existing medical conditions and for families who choose it.
Students attend school on a Hybrid Schedule: 2 days in person, 3 days Distance Learning.
Monday is a Distance Learning day for all students with weekly planning and 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
Pre-Kindergarten special education/peer model students and students in self-contained special education classrooms may attend classes full-in person 4 days to week (even during the Hybrid Model phase-in) with a goal of attending 5 days per week.

With an anticipated 20% of our students choosing a full Distance Learning option and with 40% of our students in person between Tuesday - Friday we can:

Better ensure transportation to students who need to ride the bus as the bus capacity is capped at 36 students.
Maintain 6 feet of social distancing within classrooms.
Better manage breakfast and lunch services within reduced-occupancy cafeterias.
Better manage arrival and dismissals, passing times, bathroom breaks, and other group coordinated activities.

Under a full reopening model, at this time, we cannot guarantee that everyone who needs a seat on the bus will have a seat. Under a full reopening model, we cannot maintain 6 feet of social distancing in classrooms, students will sit in rows with masks on, facing forward, with limited movement and conversation.

We want the schools to be open and social, less restrictive and prison-like which will be difficult to achieve under a full reopening model.

We will need the first few weeks to get everyone used to new processes and routines and to tune and refine. After a few weeks, we will assess the conditions in the schools, community, and the state, and ideally move towards a fuller opening, remain on hybrid, or shift towards Distance Learning.

I understand the need to reopen fully and, virus permitting, that is definitely our goal, especially for our elementary students and students with special needs.

Staffing Concerns and Early Student Dismissal

At the School Committee Meeting, I expressed concerns about staffing due to the Department of Health requirements for all employers in all industries to permit employees to stay home if they are sick. Across the state, superintendents are anticipating that with general illnesses, staff going in and out of quarantine, and the general lack of substitute teachers, we will have difficulty keeping our classrooms fully staffed.

North Smithfield has an option that many schools do not have. We have one of the longest school days among public schools in the state. Our school day is closer in length to private, parochial, and some charter schools.

The school day will be reduced for students by 45 minutes. This move will allow our teachers to provide class coverage during the day to offset the anticipated lack of substitute teacher availability and create time at the end of the day to better support the mix of student in-person and Distance Learning needs.

I do understand the disruption in family schedules that reducing the student school day by 45 minutes will create for some. We have not committed to this solution but are strongly considering it. We will know more when the Governor makes her school reopening announcement on August 31st.

Distance Learning

Whether families choose full Distance Learning, or Distance Learning as part of the Hybrid Model, or Distance Learning is necessitated due to quarantine, it will look different than it did last year. Our Distance Learning delivery will be:

More structured.
More rigorous and focused on mastery of core standards,
More social and connected where teachers can work simultaneously with students at home and in-person. Students at home can join lessons from the classroom and work on activities among each other and with classmates in-school.
Technologically has improved through the purchase of new Chromebooks for all students at NSMS and NSHS, reallocation of additional Chromebooks to NSES, along with licensing a set of core online academic services and learning platforms for access by all students.

A separate email/form will be going out allowing parents who indicated they were interested in a Distance Learning option to reconsider as well as families who did not sign up for Distance Learning to add their student’s names.

Facilities Update

In addition to general summer cleaning and maintenance, our Facilities Department is preparing for school reopening.

Of note, the Rhode Island Departments of Education and Department of Health recommended at the beginning of the summer that schools install plexiglass student partitions in classrooms. Our focus instead was to tune, service, and upgrade our HVAC system controls and unit ventilators. Last week, new guidance to districts and schools advised not to spend money on plexiglas partitions and instead improve school and classroom ventilation. North Smithfield again was ahead of the game.

Here is a brief list of some of our projects and purchases:

All custodial and maintenance staff have been trained and certified for Covid-19 cleaning procedures
All high school, middle school and elementary school unit ventilators are operable and have been cleaned, serviced and filters changed (ongoing)
Every classroom will have hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray and a paper towel dispenser
Purchased 3 GenEon mist disinfectant sprayers
Purchased 1000 disposable children face masks and 1000 adult masks
Purchased 150 gallons of hand sanitizer
Purchased 225 disinfectant refillable spray bottles
Purchased 150 paper towel dispensers
Purchased 25 cases latex gloves
Purchased 100 teacher face shields
Proper signage (one way, 6 feet apart, hand washing, etc) will be installed before the opening of school
All classrooms and offices will go through another round of cleaning and disinfecting before opening of school
The new HVAC controls project for the elementary has begun and is expected to be completed by 9/14 or shortly after.
The unit vents are operable and will be operable for the 1st day of school.
The HVAC re-commissioning of the middle school began on 8/20 and will be completed by the end of September
All classrooms have operable windows
An additional outdoor walking path has been installed at the elementary school for students to pass to the cafeteria and the gym to help ease crowding in halls
All classrooms in the elementary school have been painted, new ceiling tiles, new and renovated bookcases and new LED lighting throughout the entire building
All ceiling tiles in corridors have been replaced at the elementary school
New water bottle filler dispensers installed at the elementary, middle and high schools
High school kitchen has been renovated (paint and ceiling tiles)
High school boys locker rooms are currently under renovation (completion by end of September)
High school girls locker room painted
High school window replacement phase to begin in September and completed by end of October

Our teachers and staff desperately want to reopen and welcome all students back, but given budgetary constraints, restrictions in busing and gatherings, taking extra health and safety precautions, accommodating the mix of in-person and Distance Learning needs, everything this year will be a balancing act like we have never seen before.

Michael St. Jean,
Superintendent

School Reopening Update 8-11-2020

8/12/2020

Dear North Smithfield Families and Staff,

We remain in a holding pattern as to the specifics of school reopening. Again I wish I could give you specific information, but I can’t. Many of you probably have heard by now that school opening in Rhode Island will be delayed.

Message From Rhode Island’s Commissioner of Education:

In addition to the standard educational preparation you do each year, there are a number of complex operational and logistical challenges we are all tackling this year. These include preparing our buildings for appropriate safety measures, developing and practicing all-new classroom practices for staff and students, pressure-testing our transportation plans, implementing COVID testing and response protocols, and more. In light of these challenges and after listening closely to your concerns, I am sharing the following 2020-21 school year calendar adjustments with you:

To ensure we are as ready as possible on day one, we are scheduling three days of professional development for our teachers from September 9-11.
We are adjusting the first day of classes for students to Monday, September 14. We are adjusting the end of the school year to June 25, 2021, scheduling 177 days of instruction for students, while maintaining 180 school days for teachers. I am attaching a copy of the revised statewide calendar reflecting these changes.
As a result of these adjustments, our timeframe for making a decision on school reopening scenarios will move to the week of August 31.

Distance Learning

For those that filled out our Distance Learning Intent form, thank you. We know this decision depends on the timing, the state of infection, and the model under which we open. Everyone will be given the opportunity to add or remove students from the Distance Learning Intent List once we know what reopening will look like.

Here are the preliminary counts by grade:

KG - 15
01 - 16
02 - 31
03 - 29
04 - 36
05 - 24
06 - 39
07 - 29
08 - 42
09 - 26
10 - 21
11 - 33
12 - 18

For now we have an approximate count of students which will help immensely in shaping our instructional methods, busing, and the use of space in our schools and grounds.

Last year, due to the suddenness of the change-over from in-person learning to distance learning, we all experienced some inconsistencies and had to make adjustments. Our teachers have been reviewing their distance learning procedures from last year as well as taking input from students and parents and colleagues.

For the coming year we are retooling our distance learning approach, making it more structured and rigorous, with a focus on teaching new content instead of skills reinforcement. We are approaching distance learning as a means to improve instruction for the long term and not as a temporary stop-gap measure. Now that we have these preliminary counts we can revise and prepare for publication our distance learning instructional plan.

This will be a delicate balancing act mixing in-person with distance learning, with many variations depending on the grade level, content area, and individual student needs. It is a challenge North Smithfield accepts and will rise to, but it will require a considerable amount of coordination and cooperation among all of us.

PPE and Facilities

Our facilities department continues to improve our schools and classrooms and prepare for reopening and beyond:

We have purchased additional cleaning supplies, hand hygiene stations, masks, and more. We will be picking up additional supplies provided by the RI Emergency Management Agency.
NSES: Work will begin next week on the new HVAC control system upgrades.
NSMS: Classroom and rooftop ventilators have been cleaned and serviced. We are receiving additional proposals to further assess and tune the control system.
NSHS: All classroom and rooftop ventilation units are scheduled to be cleaned and serviced.
Our maintenance staff continues with classroom renovations at NSES, opening up floor space, painting walls, installing new ceiling tiles and high efficiency lighting.
We are assessing school grounds for use as outdoor instructional spaces.

We will keep you informed as information comes in and plans are finalized. Until then your continued patience and understanding is appreciated.

Michael St. Jean,
Superintendent

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

Rhode Island School Reopening FAQ
https://www.ride.ri.gov/Portals/0/Uploads/Documents/COVID19/ReopeningFAQs.pdf?ver=2020-07-31-095926-290

Rhode Island Response Protocols Playbook: Pre-K to 12:
https://health.ri.gov/publications/presentations/Outbreak-Response-Protocols-PreK-12.pdf

Superintendent update - School Reopening 8/4/2020

8/4/2020

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:

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
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”
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/

SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE - REOPENING PLANNING 7/22/2020

7/22/2020

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:

We will put safety first. We will leverage science, data, and public health leadership to inform the choices we make.
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.
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.
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.
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

July 08th, 2020

7/8/2020

Superintendent Update 7/8/2020 - School Reopening Information and Survey

North Smithfield Public Schools will be submitting to the Rhode Island Department of Education reopening plans to cover each of three specific scenarios:

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

We have committees working on:

Logistics, Transportation, Facilities, Operations
Health and Wellness
Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology
Human Resources, Finance, School Community

We are also collaborating with school districts in our region and across the state. Our Initial plans are due to the Department of Education by July 17th. The Department of Education has hired a consulting firm to review plans and provide feedback. Regionally, we will be sharing the best solutions and coordinating our efforts to bring our students back to school safely.

Our Goal:

Our goal is to re-open with the “Full in-person for All” model. To that end we will be:

Adjusting classroom layouts and utilizing all interior and exterior spaces in order to maintain social distancing as much as possible.
Organize staff, students, and schedules to form “stable groups” or “pods” and minimize widespread person to person contact and interaction between groups.
Expanding school and classroom cleaning and disinfection routines, minimize the use of shared materials.
Conducting daily student and staff screenings, adding handwashing stations, and wearing face coverings in accordance with DOH guidelines.
Accommodate through distance learning students who have prior health conditions or must quarantine.

This is just a small list. In order to reopen safely, the overall changes and restructuring will be extensive. We will try and minimize any disruptions and ensure a smooth transition to instruction regardless if conditions in August allow us to re-open fully, partially, or we have to return to an improved distance learning.

Once RIDE has reviewed our plans and we have submitted modifications we will share the plan with the community. We anticipate RIDE will be releasing finalized plans around July 30th. We will continue to reach out to the community for input as we work through revisions and changing State, DOH, and CDC guidance as we get closer to school opening.

As of this writing, we have no determination from the Interscholastic League regarding a resumption of school athletics.

Transportation and Family Survey:

Transportation is a major concern as the current guidance for buses limits ridership to one student per seat, or approximately 25 students per bus. No district in the state has the means to simply add more buses and drivers.

Superintendents have requested raising the ridership to at least two students per seat (face coverings on, looking forward, disinfecting hands when getting on and off the bus). If this new limit is approved we will be able to transport most students who typically ride the bus. We will still have to pull together and help out with carpools and other means of getting to and from school.

Please take a moment to complete this short survey for each student your family in order to give us a better sense of the changes we may have to consider in order to transport our students to and from school. Included is a (non-binding) question asking would you would consider a distance learning option, if available, rather than returning to school in-person? We also want to hear your own questions, comments, or suggestions regarding reopening in the fall.

https://forms.gle/uxF7d5NqVTHzXD4N8

For Further Information:

We have bundled and will continue to expand our school reopening plans, guides, and templates at https://www.nsps.us/reopening.html. This site currently contains the RIDE Statewide School Calendar, RIDE Reopening FAQ (mental, physical, and social-emotional health, protocols), and RIDE Reopening Plan Guidance and will continue to expand as our own plans develop and new guidance is added.

Thank you,

Michael St. Jean, Superintendent

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

4/29/2020

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.

Superintendent Update 4/20/2020 NSHS Viewbook and Parent Survey

4/20/2020

Dear North Smithfield Families and Staff,

We anticipate the Governor will make an announcement this week regarding schools opening or remaining closed, and if so, for how long. In the meantime, we are making plans, alternate plans, and backup to alternate plans on how we can handle honors, awards, and graduation. We want to make our students proud.

North Smithfield High School Viewbook:

It was my hope to have our NSHS Viewbook printed and distributed throughout the community as a celebration of North Smithfield High School, its students, faculty, and programs. For those who miss NSHS, or will be attending NSHS in the fall, or even if you live outside of North Smithfield and would like to attend NSHS through one of our Career and Technical Programs, below is a link to the North Smithfield High School Viewbook. In this booklet, you will see students, staff, a school, and a community dedicated to excellence.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1eKP4SyPXwcYf8KT0qeUtyZ25IDV9DTzG

Parent Distance Learning Survey

I want to thank the parents who responded to our Parent Distance Learning Survey. As a reflection of the innovative work our teachers are doing with your children, the majority of you responded very positively to the survey questions. The feedback you provided on striking a work/home balance, organizing assignments, and providing clear expectations has been invaluable. Your responses to the questions regarding instructional, social, and technical supports will allow us to work even more closely with your children to help them be successful.

We especially appreciated the many thoughtful and insightful comments you included. Each principal has taken the comments specific to his or her school and is reviewing them with their leadership teams and faculty.

Since this survey was anonymous, we cannot follow-up with the few individuals to address your specific issues or concerns. We can however encourage you to reach out to your teacher, case manager, school counselor, assistant principal or principal as we are all here to help.

We are all working together in the current situation to accommodate all students' needs. Thank you for your assistance.

Michael St. Jean,
Superintendent

Superintendent Update 4/14/2020

4/14/2020

Dear North Smithfield Families,

Last we sent to our teachers and support personnel a summary of Instructional Guidelines for Distance Learning. These Guidelines are based on parent and student feedback and best practices seen and suggested by North Smithfield’s teachers and administrators.

We are sharing the guidelines with our families for review as well. Please take a look. At the end we are including a link to a brief survey form for your direct input and feedback.

General Considerations

Family Situations - We have to be considerate of the wide range of time, support, and pressures our families are facing during this period. Don’t overwhelm either them or yourself.
Design for Independent Learning - Not all students have parents to support their learning during the day and/or they may lack the confidence in their ability to learn independently.
Allow Extra Time - Without the teacher present to immediately answer a student’s direct questions, it will take students longer to complete an assignment.
Avoid Technology Overload - Be consistent with virtual meetings, web apps, and services to avoid technology overload. Use Google Classroom to streamline information in one place for all the assignments, schedules, and expectations. Leverage the consistent set of applications and capabilities of Google’s GSuite and other NSPS purchased and endorsed systems and services.
Encourage Personal Connections - Working remotely does not mean working alone. Give assignments or projects that encourage students to work collaboratively.

Grade Level and Content Areas

Organize - Help students and families organize their time:
- Start the week with an agenda and framework for learning. This will help our students and families to better navigate their time and schedules.
- Give assignments at a consistent time (such as by 8am) or by intervals (such as every other day). Don’t drop assignments on students during the middle of the day.
- Coordinate with your school, departments, and teams when you are scheduling virtual meetings to avoid overlapping.
Record your virtual meetings, discussions, demonstrations, and direct lessons and post to Google Classroom for review and replay. Capturing recordings will help accommodate all students and families no matter their schedules or circumstances.

Itinerants/Electives

De-emphasize written assignments - With Distance Learning, the content area teachers will have to focus more on reading and written assignments due to limited time for classroom discussion.
Emphasize the creative and experiential - This is an opportunity for students to engage in creative exploration and enrichment. Students can work on daily and weekly fitness goals. They can build or fix something with/for a parent. Students can draw, model, or create using any media, they can visit virtual museums, watch great performances and record performances of their own. There are so many opportunities and resources out there for students to explore, experience, and be active and creative. Lend them your guidance and encouragement.

Specialists and Support

Maintain connections and availability to students and families: Call, conference, check-in, connect students and families with local, state, and federal organizations and resources. Continue to do whatever it takes to ensure student physical and emotional health, safety, and success.

We welcome any further input by completing our brief survey: https://forms.gle/YdBAWPAfBfYcsT5c6

Michael St. Jean,
Superintendent