Return-to-School Update
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians,
This letter is to provide information relative to the reopening of school in September 2020. On August 3, 2020, the Plymouth School Committee voted to return to school this September in a hybrid learning model. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has reduced the 180 day and student learning time requirements for the 2020-2021 school year to 170 days. The school year will begin on Wednesday, September 16th for all grade levels (PreK-12) to provide additional professional development days for staff prior to the start of school for students.
The decision on how to reopen our schools this fall was a very difficult decision for the School Committee and this letter is intended to provide preliminary information as we plan for the reopening of school.
As we get closer to the opening of school for students on September 16th, we will be sharing additional information to help families prepare. We will be producing a series of short videos that will explain some of the features that will be in place as required by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education of Massachusetts as we return to school. I would like to emphasize that the School Committee is steadfast in their commitment to adjusting the hybrid model to either a full in-person or a full remote option depending on how the positive COVID-19 case numbers change in the state of Massachusetts and our community in the days and weeks to come.
In preparation for the 2020-2021 school year, parents do have a choice in selecting our hybrid model or the full remote option described below.
Hybrid Learning Model
All students, K-12, will alternate between in-person and remote learning.
Remote Learning will take place on Mondays for all students. Students will engage in a synchronous schedule with staff that will include 4.5 hours of direct learning with teacher interaction as defined in remote learning expectations.
Group A: Last name beginning with A-K; will attend in-person Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Group B: Last name beginning with L-Z; will attend in-person Wednesdays and Fridays.
At-home Learning: Students will engage in independent work, given by their teacher through a variety of modes such as online activities, projects, writing assignments, or specific assignments to complete.
Families will be assigned to the SAME group and will be attending school on the same day regardless of last name.
High needs students have the option to attend in-person Monday through Friday. Families will be contacted directly by a central office administrator if their child has been identified as a high needs cohort member based upon DESE guidance.
Full Remote Option
GRADES K-6: For students in grades K-6, the district will have an in-house remote learning opportunity based on our district remote learning schedule that will be administered by our district teachers.
GRADES 7-12: For students in grades 7-12, the full remote learning option will be through TEC Connections Academy Commonwealth Virtual School (TECCA). Our district will be purchasing individual courses and/or a bundle of grade level courses through a variety of platforms including but not limited to TEC Connections Academy (TECCA) and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual School (CMVS). These options allow our students to remain enrolled in their Plymouth school.
The full remote learning platform for grades 7-12 provides a Massachusetts certified teacher, the learning management system/curriculum platform, the courses, synchronous and/or asynchronous content, and technical support. Plymouth will also be assigning educators and counselors to work with students and families on registration, monitoring student progress, and providing additional support throughout the student’s time as a remote learner.
*Re-entering Survey - to be completed for every child
To assist in the planning of student schedules and transportation, we are asking ALL parents to complete the Re-entering Survey for each child by August 20th. It is imperative that the form is completed for each child in order to properly plan for both the hybrid model and remote learning as well as transportation. Please complete the following survey to assist the school district in this planning: www.bitly.com/PPSReEntry.
In Closing
During the school committee meeting on August 3, I mentioned to the School Committee and the audience watching that this is a difficult time for everyone and the only way that we can work though the challenges ahead is to work together. The School Administration is committed to working with you to make this transition as manageable as possible. If you have any specific questions relative to the hybrid model or the remote model, please feel free to reach out to your school’s building administration to discuss.
More information regarding the upcoming school year, safety protocols, and helpful FAQs will be communicated through email and social media in the coming days. As always we thank you for your support and we look forward to having our students back and learning this fall.
Sincerely,
Gary Maestas,
Superintendent of Schools
Gary E. Maestas, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
11 Lincoln Street | Plymouth, MA 02360
Phone: 508-830-4300 | Fax: 508-746-1873