Marblehead Moves More Students Back To In-Classroom Learning

Marblehead MA

25 September, 2020

5:41 PM

Description

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Marblehead Public Schools will take another step toward getting all of their students who want to be in school this year back in the classroom next week when second-graders are welcomed back to school. The district has had kindergarten students and first-graders in school already with Superintendent of Schools John Buckey saying in a letter to the school community that Marblehead Schools are learning each week when it comes to having an optimum hybrid-learning experience. "While we know there are drawbacks to the hybrid cohort model, most notably the reduced in person time with teachers, there are also incredible advantages," Buckey said. "Reduced class sizes during in-person learning offer students an opportunity to enjoy a far more intimate, targeted and personally engaging instruction and academic conversation." Buckey also outlined the objectives of hybrid learning for each grade level group. In grades kindergarten through third grade, the focus of in-classroom learning will be literacy and math. Remote learning days will include more science and social studies. In grades four through six, math and literacy will still be stressed. But more science, social studies and world language studies will be included. Remote learning will include additional science and social studies learning, as well as assignments that reinforce classroom work. In grades seven through 12, students will follow a modified schedule of classes and electives in all subjects. Remote learning will be used to apply new learning. "Marblehead staff has greatly appreciated that most students have established 'learning centers' during remote instruction," Buckey said. "It has been encouraging that the majority of students have been up, dressed, and ready to access learning every day. "These first few weeks of remote learning have been opportunities for all of us to learn, not just the students." Marblehead will hold a series of virtual open houses beginning on Oct. 15.