IV. Phased Reopening
Somerville Public Schools will begin the 2020-21 school year with all students engaging in remote learning. While all students will begin in remote learning, families will have the opportunity to choose between two distinct models: Option One - the Phased Hybrid Learning Model or Option Two - the Full Remote Learning Model (LMS). Greater detail on the differences between the instructional models is included in the Instructional section of this document. It is important to recognize that while both learning models contain remote components, the format of remote learning differs between the two models.
Important Distinction Between the two Models
Option One - Phased Hybrid Learning Model All students will begin the 2020-21 school year in remote learning until safety conditions are met to facilitate a gradual return to in-person learning. At the time that health and safety conditions are met to return to in-person and we have a fully executed agreement with the unions, families will have the choice of remaining in the all remote learning mode or moving into the next phase of the Phased Hybrid Learning Model (phases 2, 3, and 4) which includes a combination of in-person and remote learning. During remote learning periods in the Phased Hybrid Learning Model, students will receive support from SPS educators through live instruction and independent work assignments.
Regardless of whether a student remains remote or returns to in-person, all students will continue to be supported instructionally by SPS teachers. We are actively negotiating with the union to identify which staff can support students who remain all remote and what the support model should look like.
Option Two - Full Remote Learning Model (LMS) At this time, we are only suggesting Option 2 for families who are clear that they want an asynchronous, remote schedule, and have supervision and academic supports for their students. This would entail the use of a Learning Management System licensed through the district. Students in this model would still have the option of engaging in music and art classes offered by SPS educators.
In both Option 1 and 2, SPS in collaboration with our community partners, will provide students the opportunity to enroll in Somerville Parks and Recreation, Community Schools, and youth-based in-person programs to support connections through safe social interactions.
Families have the option quarterly of switching between chosen learning models.
Phase One
Phase 1a: Teacher and Building Preparation
On July 27, the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced that school districts will have 10 additional days at the start of the 2020-2021 school year to prepare for the reopening of schools. SPS will add these 10 days to the 2 days already calendared for opening preparation. The first day of school for students in grades 1-12 will be September 18th. The first day of school for Pre-K and Kindergarten students is September 25th.
During these 12 days, district staff will participate in professional development, curriculum planning, and collaboration, as well as training on health, safety, and sanitation protocols. Time will allow for family outreach and engagement and the preparation of classrooms, school buildings, and outdoor spaces for a time when in-person learning can occur.
Phase 1b: All Remote Learning
All students choosing the Phased Hybrid Learning Model will begin school in an all remote learning mode. Remote learning in this model will be taught by SPS educators and will consist of synchronous (live) and asynchronous (independent) learning.
- Synchronous learning involves live, real-time instruction between a teacher and a student. It can include a combination of full group learning, small group/individualized learning and counseling, and independent work supervised by an educator.
- Asynchronous learning involves a student engaging in independent work assigned by the teacher. It can involve online work, small group work, or other activities assigned and completed independently by a student. Independent work may not require a computer to complete, allowing for variation in assignments including outdoor education activities and tasks using manipulatives.
Greater detail on the features of the all remote learning mode in the Phased Hybrid Learning Model is included in the Instructional section of this document.
At the time that health and safety conditions are met to return to in-person and we have a fully executed agreement with the unions, families will have the choice of remaining in the all remote learning mode or moving into the next phase of the Phased Hybrid Learning Model (phases 2, 3, and 4) which includes a combination of in-person and remote learning. Phases two through four are described below.
Phase Two: Priority Groups transition into In-Person Learning
SPS has identified priority groups to be the first to transition into in-person learning. Students in these groups will enter into a 4 day in-person learning mode (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) and engage in remote learning on Wednesdays. The priority groups will transition in the following order:
- Phase 2a: Special education students with significant complex needs (as defined in the Special Education Section of this document)
- Phase 2b: English Learners WIDA Levels 1 and 2
In Phase Two, where populations of students are engaging in in-person learning, if at any point, the risk is considered too high in regards to health and safety conditions, students will transition back to the all remote learning mode. Additional information can be found in the Special Education and English Language Learners sections of this document.
Phase Three: Priority Groups transition into Phased Hybrid Learning Model
SPS has identified younger students, grades prek-2, as priority groups to be the first to transition into Phased Hybrid learning. Students in these groups will transition into the 2 day in-person and 3 day remote component of the Phased Hybrid Learning Model. The priority groups will transition in the following order:
- Phase 3a: Grades preKindergarten and Kindergarten
- Phase 3b: Grades 1 and 2
In Phase Three, where populations of students are engaging in in-person learning, if at any point the risk is considered too high in regards to health and safety conditions, students will transition back to the all remote learning mode.
Greater detail on the component of the Phased Hybrid Learning Model that includes remote and in-person instruction is included in the Instructional section of this document.
Phase Four: Grades 3-8 transition into Phased Hybrid Learning Model
In Phase Four of the Phased Hybrid Learning Model, students in grades 3 through 8 will transition into the 2 day in-person and 3 day remote component of the Phased Hybrid Learning Model. Students in grades 3-8 will transition in the following order:
- Phase 4a: Grades 3 and 4
- Phase 4b: Grades 5 and 6
- Phase 4c: Grades 7 and 8
In Phase Four, where populations of students are engaging in in-person learning, if at any point the risk is considered too high in regards to health and safety conditions, students will transition back to the all remote learning mode.
Greater detail on the component of the Phased Hybrid Learning Model that includes remote and in-person instruction is included in the Instructional section of this document.
Somerville High School and Next Wave/Full Circle Students
(edited for August 17 version - see Appendix A for a record of changes)
Somerville High School and Next Wave/Full Circle students will begin the 2020-21 school year in the all remote learning mode.
On August 12, staff and families were notified by the Mayor, Superintendent, and School Committee Chair of the decision for Somerville High School students to remain in the All Remote phase of our Phased Hybrid Learning Model until the opening of the new high school building. More information on the All Remote phase can be found in the Instructional section of this document under the Somerville High School Phased Hybrid Learning Model.
Assessment on the Edgerly building is currently underway to determine whether the ventilation system, in areas outside of the CTE wing, can be adequately retrofitted. This includes the third floor where Next Wave/Full Circle resides. Decisions regarding Next Wave/Full Circle will be communicated once the assessment is complete.