Philly Schools To Offer In-Person Learning Starting Nov 30

Philadelphia PA

14 October, 2020

2:26 PM

Description

PHILADELPHIA — The School District of Philadelphia will soon be offering a hybrid learning model for its students. Superintendent William R. Hite, Jr., Ed.D. Wednesday said the district will have a mix of in-person and digital learning. The plan is designed to slowly and safely phase in groups of students, starting first with pre-K through second grade beginning Nov. 30. Students with complex learning needs in grades three through 12 are planned to phase in January. Ninth grade students and students participating in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming would follow after that as long as it remains safe to do so. Phase-in timing for additional student groups is still being planned. The transition to and rollout of hybrid learning will only take place if coronavirus conditions and the district's readiness efforts support it is safe to do so. "We know that children, especially our youngest learners and those with complex needs who need additional support, learn best in-person in a classroom, with a great teacher. School is also where children learn the social, emotional and behavioral skills that are vital to their healthy development and well-being," Hite said. The district will provide families with the opportunity to choose whether to remain in 100 percent digital learning or transition to hybrid learning during each phase-in. The selection process for Pre-K to 2 students and families only will begin on Monday, October 26, and will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, October 30. If no selection is made during that time, the student will automatically remain in 100 percent digital learning. In the hybrid learning model, most district schools will follow a staggered AA/BB schedule to limit the number of students in school buildings and maintain social distancing in all spaces throughout the day. Half of the in-person students would attend schools in-person on Mondays and Tuesdays and the other half on Thursdays and Fridays. In an effort to keep teachers with their current students, teachers will provide direct instruction to all students either via in-person learning (two days per week) or via livestream on the days that students are home. Students who choose to remain 100 percent digital will receive instruction from their teacher via live stream daily. Small group instruction will occur throughout the week. Schools unable to use an AA/BB schedule will implement an alternative model that better meets their specific needs while maintaining safety protocols. Information on building preparations and enhancements was also shared, including the addition of 75 new cleaner positions to support clean and healthy schools and new classroom technology to allow teachers to livestream lessons from their classrooms so they can teach in-person and digital students at the same time. The district's efforts to prepare for in-person learning include: Pre-entry screeners for adults and at-home screenings for children Mandatory mask/facial coverings for students and staff Plexiglass barriers installed in offices Enhanced cleaning protocols with EPA-approved cleaning supplies Touchless hand sanitizer stations throughout all buildings Signage to promote social distancing and other safety measures in classrooms, restrooms and cafeterias Ventilation capacity assessments to determine the maximum number of people who can be in a shared spaces while maintaining safe ventilation standards Hite reiterated that there are many factors that will influence how, when, and if the district can proceed with in-person learning, including staffing levels, the number of families selecting all digital learning and coronavirus conditions in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health may require the district to halt plans or temporarily close a classroom, part or all of a school, or the entire district to help minimize the spread of the virus. In these cases, students will immediately shift to digital learning from home until it is deemed safe to resume their in-person schedules. The district will continue to work closely with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and other public health experts regarding the implementation of a return to in-person learning.