The school calendar typically includes one or more staff-only days before students arrive at school. Acknowledging the challenges that our teachers and staff have faced this spring delivering remote instruction under stressful circumstances, the district will focus these in-service days on providing support to staff in the areas of social-emotional health, technology integration, and COVID-19 protocols and procedures.
As we enter the new school year, teachers will be encouraged to spend time building relationships, supporting students with the transition back to school, and teaching social distancing etiquette at developmentally appropriate levels.
When a remote or hybrid learning model is necessary, certain groups of students will be prioritized for in-person learning to the greatest extent possible. This includes, but is not limited to, special education students, English language learners, students who did not engage in remote learning during the spring of 2020, and students with technology or connectivity needs.
Acknowledging that the typical content in a given grade level or course may need to be adjusted, content will be prioritized to ensure that students receive instruction for the prioritized learning standards, key understandings, and skills necessary for students’ success in future study.
Grading practices will follow a standards-based framework designed to provide direct feedback regarding students’ mastery of course content.
The UPK 3-year old program run by Head Start and the 4-year old Head Start program will be running with reduced class sizes to allow for at least 6 feet of social distancing in the classroom. They will comply with the other school-wide protocols as outlined throughout this document.
For information relating to teaching and learning in BOCES special education and Career and Technical Education programs, please see the BOCES website.
Parents should inform the school in writing by August 21, 2020 if they plan to have their children participate in remote learning. If parents initially choose remote learning but later want in-person learning, they can notify the school of this request in writing and their children can join in-person learning at the beginning of the next marking period.