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Recover. Redesign. Return.
SMCPS Safe Return to School Plan
SMCPS Safe Return to School Plan
Overview:
Overview:
The final quarter of the 2019-2020 school year was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, shuttering our school doors. While students and staff worked remotely for the final quarter of the school year, there were lessons learned in this period of extended closure that St. Mary’s County Public Schools has used in the framing of the Fall 2020 Safe Return to School planning process.
The planning process addresses key questions:
Recovery:
How will we bring closure to the 2019-2020 school year and identify needs moving forward?
Redesign:
How will we rethink delivery models for instruction, programs, and student services?
Return:
How will we adapt and institute procedures for a safe return to school?
These reflective questions encourage us to learn from the experiences of the spring closure, with a focus on moving forward in planning for a safe and productive instructional program for our students. This spring and summer, SMCPS has engaged parents, students, and staff in ongoing conversations, surveys, and planning teams. This input is throughout the planning process, our work is examined through the lens of equity and excellence, and ensuring the health and safety of our students and staff.
Reopening 2021-2022 Data
Reopening 2021-2022 Data
SMCPS Recovery Plan Fall 2020 7.30.20Printable version of full plan
Guiding Principles for SMCPS Safe Return to School Planning
Guiding Principles for SMCPS Safe Return to School Planning
In the transition to returning students to school safely, actions will be guided by key principles that will frame our operational guidelines. They include: [to be further delineated]
Health and Safety: The first priority is ensuring the safety of our students and staff who come to school. St. Mary’s County Public Schools will make decisions based on the best available information provided by the Health Department, and guided by the direction provided by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
Equity and Access: As we work to provide educational opportunities for all students, a key element in our planning process is ensuring that learning is both available and accessible for all students. Our planning and implementation will give special attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. The particular access and support required for one student or group may be different from that needed by others. All plans will be reviewed through an equity and inclusion lens.
Communication and Engagement: Creating a new school structure requires that we consider the different experiences our students and families have. To that end, giving voice to students, staff, and our families is essential.
Engaging and High Quality Instruction: Instruction will look different. The SMCPS plan will include an instructional plan that provides for both the live, in-classroom instructional delivery process, as well as asynchronous online learning connected to that classroom learning. Instruction is designed to ensure students work toward mastery of the instructional outcomes for their grade level and content.
Technology and Resource Support: In a blended or online learning environment, technology is critical. Students must have a way to access and interact with material, instruction, their fellow students, and teachers.
Meets the diverse learning needs: Multi-model instructional designs will be employed to provide options and resources for students with varying needs through specially designed instruction.
Planning Process and Stakeholder Involvement
Planning Process and Stakeholder Involvement
The SMCPS Safe Return to School plan provides a roadmap for planning. This plan is guided by the work of the Safe Return to School Planning Committee, and based on direction by the Maryland Roadmap to Recovery, the MSDE Maryland Recovery Plan for Education, and guidance by the CDC and St. Mary’s County Health Department.
This extensive plan involves stakeholders from across the system as well as critical community partners. In total, over 90 stakeholders have been involved in the planning process throughout the summer of 2020. These stakeholders participated in four workgroups aligned with the framework outlined below.
Parents
Students
Teachers
Education Association Members
Administrators
Central Office Staff
SMC Health Department
FOUR PILLARS
FOUR PILLARS
Using the Maryland Together roadmap, St. Mary's County Public Schools will develop its Fall 2020 Safe Return to School plan based on four pillars: Instruction/Teaching & Learning, Student Services, Supporting Services, and Organizational and System Support.
Cross-Cutting Themes
Cross-Cutting Themes
The foundation of these pillars is the assurance of three key elements that cross each pillar's planning elements:
Equity: Assuring equity has been addressed as a component piece of each planning element.
Staff Development: Providing ongoing support for staff in the transition to new processes.
Stakeholder Input: Providing multiple opportunities for stakeholders (students, staff, families) to provide input throughout the planning process.
Addressing learning gaps and developing a plan for success and recovery
Ensuring the alignment of curriculum and instruction to State standards
Providing ongoing professional development for staff
Developing plans for the continuation of student programs
Pillar 2 Services for Students
Pillar 2 Services for Students
Developing a system for monitoring attendance in blended and online environments, where needed
Ensuring Special Education/504/ADA support for students
Providing counseling and mental health services
Coordinating with the Health Department for safe practices
Ensuring clean and healthy environments
Providing ongoing food and nutrition services
Developing multiple transportation plans
Developing plans for the deployment of instructional technology
Developing plans for athletics and student performance groups
Providing ongoing communications and messaging
Creating and healthy environments
Developing multiple models for scheduling
Developing plans for substitute and staffing support
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