Hybrid School Reopening Recommended

Sanford’s Superintendent of Schools is recommending a hybrid plan for school reopening, with younger students physically in school five days a week, and older students just two days a week. The plan was presented to the School Committee at their meeting on Monday, August 10. Committee members and key administration personnel met in person at the Performing Arts Center, with public input via Zoom. No vote was taken on the recommendation.

Superintendent Matt Nelson made the lengthy presentation, which was similar to the plan he presented at the Family Information Night on July 27, but went into greater detail and explained some new information that has been added to the plan.

Under the hybrid model, students in grades Pre-K through 4, and many special education students, would attend school in person five days a week. The Pre-K through grade 4 schedule could be reduced to a two days a week if safety precautions cannot be adhered to.

Students in grades 5 through 12 would be split into two groups. Group A would attend in-person classes on Monday and Thursday, and attend via a live video feed from the classroom on Tuesday and Friday. Group B would have in-person classes on Tuesday and Friday, and have the video feed on Monday and Thursday. SRTC students would be in school four days a week.

Wednesday would be a remote day for both groups as well as SRTC, and might include student meetings, Social Emotional Learning activities, counseling and other services, and professional development.

Committee members expressed concern about fifth and sixth graders having the same schedule as the high school students, and questioned whether it would not be better for them to be in school five days a week. Assistant Superintendent Steve Bussiere explained that it is a space issue. Due to larger class sizes in the middle school grades, there is not enough room for sufficient social distancing. Superintendent Nelson indicated that the administration will be taking another look at the issue of fifth and sixth graders after hearing the concerns.

He emphasized that the plans are very flexible at this time and changes may be made before school reopens in September.

All parents have the option of enrolling their students in a full distance learning option. Under that model, students in Pre-K through grade 4 would be taught through an online platform which would require help from parents, as teachers would not be able to teach the in-person class and the online group simultaneously. A staff member would monitor their progress. Older kids would be connected to a video feed from the classroom and follow along with their peers.

As there have been numerous inquiries about distance learning vs. home schooling, Superintendent Nelson explained the differences in detail. If a student is enrolled in the Sanford School Department’s distance learning program, all education and the technology needed to access it is provided by the School Department; they follow the Department’s curriculum and are monitored by a staff member. If they homeschool, the parent or guardian supplies all the instruction, curriculum and technology. The state of Maine also has two online charter schools for grades 7-12 which have a curriculum from an online provider contracted with by the parents.

The Department will be sending out a form this week for all parents to fill out, indicating whether their kids will be attending school, or if they are choosing distance learning or another option. The Department also needs to know which parents will be able to transport their children to and from school, in order to plan bus service.

The universal safety precautions that all staff and students will be required to follow were explained in detail. Face coverings will be required for all teachers and staff, and students age 2 and over. A student who will not wear a face covering will not be allowed to attend school.

There was much more presented and discussed at the meeting than can be covered in this article. You can watch the entire meeting here or on YouTube.

Read the full Draft Reopening Plan here.

The School Committee and administration are encouraging questions and comments on the reopening plan. Email them to schoolinfo@sanford.org.

The School Committee will meet again on Monday, August 17 to discuss concerns, hear updates and vote on the recommendation. The meeting will once again be livestreamed by WSSR TV with Zoom access for public participation.