Middle School Reopening Planning and Timeline
February 22, 2021
East Lyme Public Schools Middle School Reopening Plan Why Work Towards a Phased Reopening: ▪ COVID positivity rate continues to decrease across Southeastern CT. It continues to decline across CT sitting under 3%. ▪ COVID-19 cases among LLHD residents continues to decrease (1/16/21=805 1/23/21=612 1/30/21= 477 2/6/21=363, 2/13/21=273)
▪ LLHD and our Medical Advisor continue to be in full support of a phased in approach to returning middle school students. ▪ Mitigating strategies (PPE) have been effective within our schools all year long. ▪ In-person learning is what's best for all students.
East Lyme Public Schools Middle School Reopening Plan District Trends That Support Reopening: ▪ Concerns are peaking regarding the mental health and academic issues coming forth in our children. ▪ We are receiving recommendations from faculty/administration for students to attend four days a week (V4). ▪ We have had a high number of parent requests for students to attend school four days a week. ▪ An increased number of referrals to special education/504 have been taking place.
East Lyme Public Schools Middle School Reopening Plan Additional Considerations (Phasing in Students): ▪ Important to provide teachers/staff as much advanced notice and planning opportunity in preparation for a return.
▪ There are children, staff, and parents fearful of a full return. There are children, staff, and parents wanting an immediate return. A gradual approach to phasing students in supports all. ▪ Administration will work with individual staff to address concerns/needs related to health and safety protocols along with logistics. ▪ Viking Four cohort requests/changes will be frozen as of March 8, 2021.
East Lyme Public Schools Middle School Reopening Plan Action Steps: ▪ Reopen four days a week (eliminate Hybrid model but temporarily maintain the Wednesday remote workday). ▪ Utilize the 'Phased In' approach to allow for ongoing monitoring of COVID numbers and potential variant strains across the community and allow for school adjustments as well. ▪ Attempt to align with the timeframe for teacher/staff vaccinations. ▪ Survey parents to gain feedback to track numbers and understand exactly what class sizes will look like and where support/adjustments may be needed. ▪ Order additional PPE requested by building administration.
East Lyme Public Schools Middle School Phased in Timeline
Grade
4-Day Return Date Mon./Tues./Thurs./Fri.
5
March 15, 2021
6
March 15, 2021
7
March 29, 2021
8
March 29, 2021
Wednesday
Follow Current Schedule
Grades
5-Day Return Date Monday-Friday
5-8
May 3, 2021
East Lyme Public Schools K-8 Phased In Timeline Grade Level Kindergarten
Start Date Monday March 1, 2021
Grade 1
Monday March 1, 2021
Grade 2
Monday March 15, 2021
Grade 3
Monday March 29, 2021
Grade 4
Monday March 29, 2021
Grade 5
Monday March 15 , 2021
Grade 6
Monday March 15, 2021
Grade 7
Monday 29, 2021
Grade 8
Monday 29 , 2021
Grade 9 - 12
TBD
Grades K-8
Monday, May 3, 2021
Learning Design Students will attend in-person learning on M/T/Th/F and remote on Wednesday. Students w ill attend in-person learning on M/T/Th/F and remote on Wednesday.
Students will attend in-person learning on M/T/Th/F and remote on Wednesday. Students w ill attend in-person learning on M/T/Th/F and remote on Wednesday.
Students will attend in-person learning on M/T/Th/F and remote on Wednesday. Students w ill attend in-person learning on M/T/Th/F and remote on Wednesday.
Students will attend in-person learning on M/T/Th/F and remote on Wednesday. Students will attend in-person learning on M/T/Th/F and remote on Wednesday. Students w ill attend in-person learning on M/T/Th/F and remote on Wednesday.
Students will remain in Hybrid Cohorts and remote on Wednesday Students w ill attend in-person learning five days a w eek.
East Lyme Public Schools K-8 Phased In Timeline Grade Level
K, Grade 1 Grade 2, 5, 6 Grade 3, 4, 7, 8
Start Date
Monday March 1, 2021
Learning Design
Students will attend in-person learning on M/T/Th/F and remote on Wednesday.
Monday March 15, 2021
Students will attend in-person learning on M/T/Th/F and remote on Wednesday.
Monday March 29, 2021
Students will attend in-person learning on M/T/Th/F and remote on Wednesday.
Grade 9 - 12
TBD
Grades K-8
Monday, May 3, 2021
Students will remain in Hybrid Cohorts and remote on Wednesday. Students will attend in-person learning fiv e days a week.
East Lyme Public Schools High School Planning High School Reopening: ▪ HS Administration talking with CIL's and Central Office. ▪ Central Office is engaging in discussions with LLHD, Medical Advisor, and other districts. ▪ Concerns/Issues are being weighed against LLHD, DPH, and CDC guidelines and recommendations.
▪ A parent survey would be utilized to capture data on how many actual students would be returning. ▪ Lunch spacing adjustments required. Currently seating accommodates 185 students in each lunch wave (3 total/six feet apart).
East Lyme Public Schools Current Enrollment and Virtual Viking Students
As of February 22, 2021
Level
Current Enrollment
Virtual Viking Enrollment
Enrollment w/o VV Students
ELEM
776
117
659
MS
734
123
611
HS
1023
166
857