Marlboro School

Memo from Wayne Regarding 20-21 COVID-19 Marlboro School Schedule

Date: 6/24/20

Introduction: The intention of this memo is to provide information to Marlboro School families regarding the 20-21 school year. Information used to guide this decision came from reflecting on the 19-20 school dismissal, receiving the first round of guidance from the AOE on June 15th, and planning with the staff during our In-service days on June 11th, 12th and 15th. Key ideas that informed our decision were:

• The lack of space within the current school building to meet CDC guidelines.
• CDC cleaning and sanitation requirements needed throughout the day.
• Recent increases in student enrollment.
• Children spending many hours in an unnatural pandemic school environment, which is very different from the one they were used to. For example,
  • spending the whole day within an assigned pod
  • wearing facial masks all day
  • staying physically distant
  • completing most school work independently and not in groups
  • receiving a health screenings every morning
  • and following strict protocols to reduce the spread of viruses.
• Implementing programming that allows students and families to seamlessly move into a likely school dismissal.

20-21 Marlboro School Schedule details: The Marlboro School schedule will consist of 4 days per week of in-person instruction on Tuesday through Friday. Mondays will consist of distance learning for students in grades K-8 and in-service days for the teachers. Monday was chosen as the distance learning day due to the many holidays that fall on Monday making a Tuesday-Friday week the most consistent option for in-person instruction. The hours for in-person instruction will be 8:30-2:30.

In-Service Days for teachers: During in-service Mondays, teachers will create and maintain an online curriculum to support Monday distance learning and prepare for a seamless transition to a likely dismissal. This time will also provide teachers planning and collaborating between classroom teachers, assistants and specials, which is something that cannot occur during the week when everyone is confined to their PODS. This opportunity for collaboration is essential to providing services to students receiving specialized instruction. Last, all staff will participate in professional development that focuses on improving our current and future non-pandemic programming.

20-21 Schedule change considerations:

• This schedule change will be challenging for families who need school to provide child care when they are working during the week. I know this will be a challenge for some families.
• We are looking to expand our building, which could offer in-service instruction 5 days a week. Any increases to in-service instruction will be made mid-August.
• The School Board is able to secure more school building space by providing outbuildings at our current campus or other places in the community.

Sharing Feedback:

If you have any questions please email me at wkermenski@marlboroschool.net