Pre-K

Pre-kindergarten (Early Childhood Learning)

All children are capable of learning, achieving, and making developmental progress through access to a high-quality pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) program. When planning for the reopening of Pre-K programs, care must be taken to ensure that the needs of our youngest learners are addressed, whether instruction is provided in-person, remotely, or through a hybrid model. It is essential that districts, schools, and eligible agencies, including Community Based Organizations (CBOs), operating Pre-K programs create a plan for providing continuity of instruction for in-person, remote, and hybrid learning models. Pre-k learning will occur at Clough School and Rome Catholic during the 2020-2021 school year.

Based on intial survey information, we are hopeful that our facility can accommodate in-person learning experiences five (5) days a week for our Pre-K program. We will be requiring all families to complete an Instruction Model Request Form for the 2020-2021 school year. Families will be asked to complete this form prior to Friday, August 14, 2020. Please note that parent responses on the Instructional Model Request Form will be binding for the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year. Near the conclusion of the first semester, if a significant amount of families desire to change their primary model of instruction for their child, one (1) of three (3) scenarios will be implemented:

1. No change in the overall model of instruction;

2. If operating in a hybrid model, shifting to an in-person, five (5) day a week model may be implemented if enough families opt to move to complete remote learning;

3. If operating in an in-person or hybrid model, shifting to a complete remote instructional model at the requirement of SED, the NYSDOH, or the Governor’s office.

Under no circumstances would we move from an in-person model of learning experiences to a hybrid model mid-year. This would cause substantial disruption to our families and learning environments. If the school year opens with an in-person model of instruction, students may switch from remote to in-person after the first semester, so long as the class rosters and building capacities can support additional students.

After reviewing the initial responses from these requests in August, the Rome City School District will determine which instructional model our facilities can support. If we cannot support in-person instruction for any one of our elementary facilities due to capacity issues, then a hybrid model detailed below will be implemented for all buildings.

IN-PERSON INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL

In-person learning experiences will be available to our pre-k students in both the 3-year-old (3YO) and 4-year-old (4YO) programs. Parents/Guardians will have the option to choose which instructional model they prefer for their students. For those opting to participate in in-person learning experiences, students will attend school five (5) days a week for at least the normal duration of time for our pre-k program. Consistent with our normal operating procedures, pre-k transportation will not be available for students opting for in-person learning experiences. Students involved with this model will have to adhere to social distancing requirements in the classroom and at all times while in the school facility. Class sizes will be limited to between ten (10) and twelve (12) students. While students are at their individual work stations, face coverings will not be required. Face coverings will be required at all other times throughout the day, including any activity/time when students are not at their individual work station. (i.e. Learning Centers). Each student will be provided with a cloth mask and the district will have a supply of paper (disposable) masks on hand for any student who forgets their mask. Students may also wear their own personal face covering, so long as it does not violate the Rome City School District Code of Conduct related to dress/appearance. All students will have access to all New York State Learning Standards for pre-k programs.

REMOTE INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL (iLearning)

Remote instructional learning experiences will be available to our pre-kindergarten (pre-k) students in both the 3-year-old (3YO) and 4-year-old (4YO) programs. Parents/Guardians will have the option to choose which instructional model they prefer for their students. For those opting to participate in remote learning experiences, students will attend school five (5) days a week and follow the guidelines of the Rome City School District’s 2020-2021 iLearning Plan. Students will engage in remote learning with a certified pre-k teacher and a synchronous schedule with attendance requirements for all students. The anticipated hours of synchronous, remote learning is between two (2) and three (3) hours per day. Teachers and staff will be available for additional supports throughout the day to collaborate with parents/guardians on the learning targets for their students. All students will have access to all New York State Learning Standards for pre-k programs.

HYBRID INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL

At this time, the Rome City School District is not offering a hybrid model of instruction at this level as we have the capacity to serve all of our pre-kindergarten students who desire to attend school in-person. Those that are not attending in-person learning experiences have voluntarily opted to participate in remote learning experiences. This decision was based on the need for consistent child care and scheduling in our community and the hybrid model puts too much stress on our working families to find part-time child care and may not be able to be sustained by the capacity of our local child care centers.

In the event that the requests from families is too great to accommodate an in-person model due to building capacity issues, a hybrid model will be enacted for the 2020-2021 school year. A hybrid model at the Pre-K level will mirror a hybrid model at the elementary level in an effort to ensure that Pre-K students with older siblings will have the same school schedule, which should minimize a family’s need for childcare services. Students will attend in-person learning experiences two (2) days per week and participate in remote learning experience three (3) days per week. A sample weekly student schedule is below, however, please note that this is subject to change:

We will be requiring all families to complete an Instruction Model Request Form for the 2020-2021 school year. Families will be asked to complete this form prior Friday, August 14, 2020. The model of instruction that will be implemented for the 2020-2021 school year will be announced on Monday, August 17, 2020.

PREKINDERGARTEN SCREEENING

All screening activities for pre-kindergarten students, regardless of an in-person or remote learning experience, will be conducted during the initial weeks of school in September. This is consistent with our traditional Pre-K screening process. We will also ask families to complete a social emotional screening (ASQ-SE) prior to first day of school to get a baseline for students and the teachers follow-up with their ASQ-SE screening after we get to know the child. Once classrooms are set, our teachers will contact student families to inform them of the process and schedule for screenings to occur.

BEFORE AND AFTER CARE PROGRAMS

Under normal circumstances, before and after care programs are not offered within Rome City School District facilities for students in our early childhood programs. Throughout the 2020-2021 school year, we do not intend to change this practice. We will continue to collaborate with our outside agencies that provide before and after care programs to meet the needs of our students and families.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

During the 2020-2021 school year, the sharing of student supplies throughout the day between students will not be permitted. For in-person learning experiences, each student will have their own personal box of necessary supplies. For remote learning experiences, students who do not have access to an electronic device will be provided with a device. School supplies should be furnished by parents/guardians, however, students who are unable to obtain supplies will be supported by the school. Face coverings will be considered a school supply that will be furnished by the school.

MASK BREAKS

It is recommended that students in all grades be permitted to have ‘mask breaks’ throughout the course of the school day. The Rome City School District will recognize time that students spend at their individual work stations as an opportunity for students to have a mask break. While students are working independently, they may remove their mask (at their discretion) for any length of time so long that they remain seated at their work station.

CONTACTS

Ms. Dana Benzo Mrs. Catherine Mucurio

Director of Elementary Programs Assistant Director of Supported Learning/Principal

409 Bell Road, Rome, NY 13440 409 Bell Road, Rome, NY 13440

dbenzo@romecsd.org ~ 315.338.6512 cmucurio@romecsd.org ~ 315.338.6581

https://www.romecsd.org/academics/leadership