Top 10 Things to Know About PSB Reopening 2020-21
Low Risk with Safety Precautions - The risk of returning back to the school buildings is currently low because (a) community spread is currently low and (b) the school buildings have put in place many layers of safety precautions.
Local and state community spread is low (low rate + low test positivity)
Layered safety approach in schools
Start with only pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and a small group of grades 1-12 students in person
Fewer people in the buildings at one time helps maintain distancing
Students in smaller cohorts limits interactions to fewer people
Individuals that aren’t feeling well will stay home
Universal masking (including young children)
Classroom ventilation testing and investments
New suspected illness protocols and rapid parent pickup
Revised School Calendar - The first day of school for students is September 16th. Educators will have 10 days (starting September 1st) for extra professional development to prepare to reopen schools (see the revised district calendar).
Teacher Preparations - Teachers have been participating in many professional development opportunities to improve on the Spring, to plan for the new school year, and to learn tools to engage all learners both at home and during face to face learning. Those efforts include working in school-based teams, with curriculum coordinators, and attending workshops (for examples, see the range of opportunities supported by the Brookline Education Foundation and the Expert Advisory Panel 3: Professional Opportunities).
Learning Model Options - Students had the choice of either a remote-only option (Remote Learning Academy) or returning to the buildings in a phased reopening (RemotePlus; the default if no choice was made).
In both options, students will participate in a robust educational experience that incorporates best practices in instruction while attending to the learning needs and emotional wellness of all students.
Both options will follow a full daily schedule with school hours similar to previous school years.
Both options will include a mix of live instruction and group work (synchronous) with work that students are expected to do independently (asynchronous).
The chosen option will continue through the first quarter (mid-Nov) and then there will be an option to change.
Remote Learning Academy - The all-remote “RLA” option will be a district-wide K-8 academy, with Brookline High School providing its own remote program. The remote option will be staffed by Brookline educators, will follow a curriculum that aligns with the phased reopening option, and efforts will be made to keep students connected to their home school.
Phased Reopening to In-Person Learning - The phased reopening will transition in the rest of grades 1-12 as conditions allow. For these students, the phased reopening will start with remote learning until then.
Will prioritize the return of the youngest grades to in-building learning first
To allow for proper distancing, most grades will transition to a hybrid learning model (some days in-building learning and other days continue remote learning)
Common Learning Platforms - To simplify and provide a consistent learning experience district-wide, PSB has adopted a common learning platform by grade level.
Grades PreK-2 - SeeSaw
Grades 3-5 - Google Classroom
Grades 6-12 - Canvas
Addressing the Needs of Vulnerable Students - PSB is committed to providing the education, specialized instruction, and related services that each child needs for a free and appropriate public education. Students with complex and significant needs will be prioritized for in-person learning, and other accommodations for remote instruction will be made depending upon individual needs. Meetings and evaluations for individualized education programs will be rescheduled, but if you have questions about your child, information on who to contact is available on the PSB Special Education website (https://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/Page/165).
Explicit Focus on Social-Emotional Wellness - Explicit time in the school day will be devoted to helping all students engage and stay motivated to participate in school, to stay connected socially to their school community and to other students and educators, to maintain students’ physical health, and to improve students’ abilities to self-regulate their learning. PSB has adopted a universal screening tool to assess the effectiveness of these efforts and to identify individual students that are in need of additional supports.
Continuing Updates - The PSB central administration has committed to providing regular updates by email, on their website, and in School Committee meetings so that the community can stay connected and aware of the ongoing efforts to reopen schools safely, to provide answers and solutions to questions and challenges that remain, and to adjust as the conditions change.