Teaching and Learning
Continuity of Learning, NYS Standards, Equity, Interaction & Feedback
In an effort to assure high-quality teaching and learning a continuity of learning plan has been developed for the 2020-2021 school year. The Garrison Union Free School District plan assures that instruction is aligned with the New York State Learning Standards and assures equity as well as quality for all learners.
Equity is at the heart of all school instructional decisions. All instruction in our District will be designed so that whether it is delivered in-person, remotely or through a hybrid model due to a local or state school closure, there are clear, comprehensive and accessible learning opportunities for all students. Such opportunities will be aligned with state standards. Our teaching and instructional plan outlines routine, scheduled times for students to interact and seek feedback and support from their teachers. Our plan is centered on Instruction and academic programming that includes regular and substantive interaction with an appropriately certified teacher regardless of the delivery method (e.g., in person, remote or hybrid).
The Garrison Union Free School District’s Reopening Plan includes a communication plan for how students and their families/caregivers can contact the school and teachers with questions about their instruction and/or technology.
We acknowledge that in-person, in-building instruction in our classrooms is the best way to facilitate learning. During this COVID emergency, it may become necessary at various times through the 2020-2021 school year, for school to utilize a hybrid or full remote plan. In these cases, teachers will use the District curriculum and NYS Learning Standards to guide their planning and instruction, as they would during an in person regular school year.
In order to maintain high-quality continuity of learning for all students, the District will use one of the three approaches based on the current pandemic phase as indicated by the State, including In-person, Remote and a Hybrid model:
In planning for these approaches and models we will consider
• Certain students may be prioritized to return to in-person instruction first or more frequently based on educational or other needs (e.g., early grades, students with disabilities, English language learners), given requirements for equity, capacity, social distancing, PPE, feasibility, and learning considerations.
• Students with disabilities, English-language learners, and/or students who don’t have reliable access to online learning may be provided the option to be in schools every day
In-Person Instruction
The teacher and the student meet physically in a set place for a set time for either one-on-one learning or, most commonly, in group classroom lessons with social distancing and health and safety measures in place.
• Upon reopening, the number of students in each of our classrooms will adhere to CDC guidance regarding proper social distancing. Class size will reflect the need to ensure that students’ desks/seats are positioned no less than six feet apart.
• Our schools will minimize the movement of students. This potentially means having students eat lunch in their classroom instead of the cafeteria and eliminating assemblies, field trips and other large-group activities. Special-area subjects (i.e. art, music, physical education) may be pushed into the classroom. Whenever possible students will utilize outside space for physical education instruction. We will adhere to 12 feet between students when engaging in physical activity.
• To the extent possible, students will remain in small cohorts if/when leaving the classroom, such as for recess or any necessary transition, so as to reduce their exposure to additional students.
Remote or Hybrid Instruction
Remote learning occurs when the learner and instructor, or source of information, are separated by time and distance and therefore, cannot meet in a traditional physical classroom setting. A hybrid model would entail some students attending in- person and others attending remotely.
• Given the possibility that communities may experience spikes in COVID- 19 cases at any point during the school year, which may prompt short or long-term school closures, our District has developed a hybrid/blended learning model and schedule that can continue as is in a fully remote environment.
• Instruction will not only focus on “core” subject areas to the exclusion of elective courses. All instruction will continue to be aligned to the New York State Learning Standards.
• The hybrid model accommodates both synchronous and asynchronous learning.
• As noted previously, student schedules will remain the same whether instruction is in-person or remote so that students do not encounter conflicts wherein synchronous lessons for different subjects are offered simultaneously.
• To ensure high-quality remote learning experiences, we will standardize the use of a single online learning platform, to the extent possible, and develop a common, coordinated set of guidelines for teachers to follow when using the platform with students.
• Grading practices will follow a standards-based framework designed to provide direct feedback regarding students’ mastery of course content.