Superintendent update - School Reopening 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:

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/