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This FAQ guide is intended to be a supplement to the plan shared by the District that can be accessed HERE.
This FAQ guide is intended to be a supplement to the plan shared by the District that can be accessed HERE.
Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we partner in these uncertain times. The answers provided reflect what we know at this time and can change based upon CDC and Maine DOE updates.
Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we partner in these uncertain times. The answers provided reflect what we know at this time and can change based upon CDC and Maine DOE updates.
ACCOUNTABILITY/ATTENDANCE
What parts of each day are mandatory?
For hybrid students the synchronous lessons are not mandatory but a way for students to maintain connection to their peers and teacher on the days they are learning from home. Families who are in the full distance option may have mandatory synchronous parts of their day and this will be worked out with the teacher and family. The asynchronous learning opportunities that are mandatory will be indicated in your child's Google Classroom.
How long will video lessons be?
This will depend on the particular lesson, but a safe estimate might be 10-15 minutes or shorter for most content-based lessons. Grade level expectations are being developed to outline for parents more specific expectations around screen time for consumption of information and creation of learning products.
How will attendance be determined for the virtual days in both models?
We do not have the specifics as of yet, but intend to have attendance attached to some of the asynchronous opportunities provided during distance days.
If my child is sick on a day they are at home on a day they are to be in school can they still access the day's lessons remotely.
If your child is sick on a day they are scheduled to be in school, they will miss the in person lesson. They may check their Google Classroom account to see if there is work there that they can work on, but this is not an expectation.
CLASS PLACEMENT
Will my child have the same teacher they were assigned to whether we choose distance or hybrid?
There may be changes made to teacher assignments; the reason for this is twofold. One, we want to ensure that families who select full distance learning have consistent access to a teacher and are afforded more opportunities to connect synchronously with their teacher. Second, in order to keep children safe we need to maintain cohorts- children cannot be pulled out with students not in their cohort and in order to meet those needs shifts must be made. While we have no intentions to shuffle children unnecessarily there may be some movement.
DISTANCE LEARNING
Will the distance learning option accommodate for an asynchronous approach- how will due dates work?
We are working on expectations by grade level for families to have in regards to how due dates will work. We anticipate that the hybrid model will have more asynchronous approaches while the full distance model, though it will still have asynchronous pieces, may also have more synchronous times as well.
Do distance learning students still have access to diversified arts? Will children have access to library books?
Distance students will have access to DA through a virtual format- DA lessons at HBS are currently being planned as grade level based for four week rotations though this is not an absolute as the situation is continually evolving-safety of staff and students is our first priority. We are working on library as a delivery system for students in the building and perhaps a "pick up" method for children who are in distance learning.
Do hybrid kids and full time distance kids get the same material?
Yes and no. Students in hybrid and 'opt-in' distance scenarios will get the same content, however, students in the M/T and TH/F hybrid model will have more direct interaction with their teacher as they will be onsite on their two cohort days. These students will inevitably receive more in-person social-emotional content.
What is the schedule for full distance learners? How much are they expected to be available during the school day for live lessons?
This is still being worked on and we also need to determine how many families are requesting this option. Content for full distance learners will be generated in a way that there will be very specific times for any live lessons. We hope to have the teachers working with full distance learners work with families to schedule any live groups to help accommodate varying schedules.
If my child is full time distance, when will they get live time with their teacher?
We anticipate that this will occur during the first two weeks of school during our roll out. Specifics on how this can happen still need to be worked out.
FLEXIBILITY WITHIN PLANS
If we choose hybrid for our child(ren), can we change them to distance at any point?
Yes
If our children start school in the hybrid model but we switch to distance learning a week or two into the school year - will the teacher assignments for our children change?
This will depend upon how many shifts occur as well as how such families would be able to schedule the potential increase in synchronous opportunities for those who opt for full distance. We want to keep distance caseloads to the approved class size loads per BSD policies- therefore we cannot guarantee that a teacher change might not be made.
How long can we expect the Hybrid and Distance plan to last and what are the plans should we have to go fully remote again.
The school district will be following the Maine CDC guidelines regarding returning back to full in person learning and should we have to go fully remote again.
Should we have to go fully remote again, students will be receiving their lessons from their teachers using Google Classroom and Google Meets (Live Lessons).
FOOD AND NUTRITION
Will lunches still be provided to families who qualify for free or reduced lunch even if they opt into distance learning?
This is addressed in the district FAQs. The method by which food will be distributed has yet to be determined, but it is a district goal to make sure all children are fed.
How will lunch work for students in the building?
Students will eat lunch in their classrooms with their cohort of classmates. As this will be a mask free time it will be imperative that students remain at their own desks during this time.
Will students be allowed snack in class?
Students will be allowed an afternoon snack in the classroom.
HYBRID PLAN
Is the school district planning to start in the hybrid model?
As determined by the recent school board vote BSD is planning to start in the hybrid model with September 14 being the first student day. For families choosing the hybrid model, students will be in either one of two cohorts M/T or TH/F. Students in the hybrid model will have in-person learning at school for two days of the week and then at-home programming for three days of the week. For families choosing distance learning, their students will have at-home programming five days of the week.
Building Sanitation:
What is the facility cleaning procedures for HBS?
Deep cleaning will be done at HBS on Wednesdays and Friday evenings.
On evenings of instruction days, custodians will vacuum, wash floors, desks, table tops and wash sinks.
Custodians will clean high touch areas including door handles, light switches, and rails throughout the day.
MASKS/FACE COVERINGS
What will happen when kids who take off masks or cannot keep socially distant?
Masks are required and there are very few medical exceptions to this rule. Staff and families will work with children on such safety protocols and provide modeling of expected behaviors. Should children be non-compliant with masks or social distancing administration will be involved and the family will be called.
Will the children have opportunities to have mask breaks?
Students will have opportunities for mask breaks during the day in the classroom, during lunch and when using the "outdoor " classroom spaces.
How long will kids be expected to wear masks between breaks?
That will be determined by classroom teachers as they "read" the needs of the students in their classroom- we expect that there will be various breaks while in class and we are planning for outdoor movement breaks to be mask free..
MATERIALS
When we will get a supply list?
In the coming weeks grade level teams will have a chance to meet and determine what materials will be needed for in person instruction, as materials cannot go from home to school it may be wise to plan on purchasing two sets of materials for your child (the school will work with any family for whom this is a difficulty).
Will the supply list be different depending on if we choose distance or hybrid?
Not entirely sure at this time, but we anticipate that there might be some differences. More information to follow.
OUTDOOR SPACES
What does outdoor classroom space look like at HBS?
Harriet Beecher Stowe has some beautiful outdoor spaces and we have met with Alicia Heyburn from Teens to Trails and conducted a full inventory of outdoor spaces that will be utilized as outdoor learning spaces.
What will recess look like at HBS?
We anticipate that while at recess, students will maintain classroom cohorts. We are working to create playground zones for each cohort to use. Playground equipment will be off limits.
SOFT OPENING
What does the soft opening look like?
It will be very similar to the typical start of a PreK- 5 school year except in the hybrid model - M/T and TH/F. The focus of these days will be on the new processes, procedures, and the social emotional needs of the students.
TECHNOLOGY
What is the best laptop for social distance learning, that will work with all of the schools platforms/programs?
The District is shifting to a one-to-on model and we anticipate that all students in grades 3 - 5 will have Chromebooks. Timeline on this is still TBD. Similar to last spring, the District will provide devices to families who need them. The platform being used for grades 3-5 will be Google Classroom.
TRANSPORTATION
What will transportation look like this year?
Bus capacity will be significantly reduced due to safety measures in place. At this time we are estimating approximately 25 students per bus. Students will be required to wear face coverings at all times while on BSD transportation.
If we opt into busing are we held to it or vice versa (if we opt out of busing but situations change, can we use busing)?
We'll need to double-check with transportation as bus space is very limited and we're not sure about this year's routes. Opting out of busing is very simple, though opting in after routes are established will be difficult.
What will morning drop off look like?
Students should not be dropped off prior to 8:30 A.M.
Staff members will be present to help guide students to the correct entrance for their grade level.
5th Grade students drop off area is located in the back parking lot by the blue top and Amory Street. Parents should enter the school property via Stanwood Street and exit using Amory Street. Students will enter the building from the playground doors. See video
4th Grade student drop off area is located in circle drop off area closest to Spring Street. Parents should enter the school property via Spring Street. Students will enter the building using door #4. See Video
3rd Grade student drop off area is located directly behind the gym. Parents should enter the school property via Stanwood Street and Exit using Spring Street. Students will enter the building using door #3. See Video
What will afternoon pickup look like?
Students will exit the building using their perspective doors and we ask that parents wait in their cars and we will have students waiting on "Paw Prints" and will exit to the nearest car as they pull up.
3rd grade will be in the loop (door #3) at 2:45 P.M.
4th grade will be in the loop (door #4) at 2:55 P.M.
5th grade will exit the building via the playground in the back parking lot by Amory Street. at 3:05 P.M.
What if I have children in multiple grades? What drop off area should I use.
In the case that you have multiple children in different grade levels, please choose the drop off area that is most convenient for you and your children. They will have to still enter the building using their perspective grade level doors.
What if my child is a walker or riding a bike
Biker riders will be able to park their bikes in the bike rack and enter the building using their perspective grade level door.
Students who are walkers or bike riders will be excused at their grade level times.
VOLUNTEERING
Can parents volunteer to help outside?
BSD does not intend to have face-to-face volunteers at this time. This may change with updated guidance however at this time volunteering will have to be done in a virtual format.
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