December 11, 2020

Dear Parents & Guardians,

At Wednesday evening’s Board of Education Meeting, I shared our go-forward plans for ALL students to have the opportunity to return to their respective classrooms in January 2021. This will happen in two phases:

Phase 1: Beginning Monday, January 11, 2021

● Pre-K and Kindergarten students will have the option to attend school in person via the hybrid model (on specifically assigned days).
● Special Education Self-Contained students (PSD, MD, LLD & BD - Pre-k through Grade 12) will have the option of returning for in-person instruction, four (4) days per week, following the modified schedule.
● The students of the 18-21 STAR Program (post graduate) will have the option of returning for five (5) full days of in-person instruction.
● The remaining General Education and Special Education students in Grades 1-12 will remain virtual.

Phase 2: Beginning Monday, January 25, 2021

● Grades 1-12 General Education and Special Education students will have the option to attend school in person via the hybrid model (on specifically assigned days).

NOTE: For hybrid model schedules, siblings returning to school will be assigned to the same cohorts. Cohort A will attend Mondays and Tuesdays while Cohort B will be in school on Thursdays and Fridays. Wednesdays will be “All Virtual Days” for intensive school cleanings. School staff will return ahead of the students returning. Due to COVID-19, all Phased-in Plans are subject to change.

On Monday, December 14, you will receive a communication regarding your ability to select your preference for your child/children to stay remote or to return to school. Once you make this decision, that selection will become final for the third marking period (January 25 - March 31, 2021). If you do not complete this form, it will be assumed that you want your child to return to school in person.

In order to provide you with more information on our Return to School plans, the Monday communication will include a video presentation with more specific details - specifically our new Hybrid Model approach. Additionally, your school principals will be hosting parent meetings next week (between December 15 and December 17). I strongly encourage you to attend these meetings as we will need to have your final decision about the third marking period by Friday, December 18.

I am sure you have many questions, so please be sure to view the video presentation (released Monday) and attend your school meeting next week. We are looking forward to having our schools officially re-open this January. It’s a great way for us to start the New Year.

Sincerely,

Dr. Christopher Irving, Superintendent of Schools