WATERFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS Safe Phase-In of Full In-Person Learning
We can. We will. Together.
In-Person Learning is the Best Learning. THANK YOU TO OUR TREMENDOUS TEAM, OUR FAMILIES AND OUR STUDENTS.
BACKGROUND ON LEARNING MODEL
• In-Person Learning is the best learning. • 53% of CT is full in-person (February 5) • This transition is part of our original plan from Summer 2020.
• 70 Staff Involved • Full Distance, Hybrid, Full In-Person
• Our return follows CT DPH, CSDE, and newly released CDC Guidance. • CDC Guidance
• Suggested Metrics for Learning Model Changes • Waterford’s Numbers – Safe for Full In-Person Learning
CDC LEVELS OF COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION • Levels of community transmission defined as: • Low Transmission: • New cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days is 0-9 • Percentage of positive tests in the past 7 days is <5% • Moderate Transmission: • New cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days is 10-49 • Percentage of positive tests in the past 7 days is 5-7.9%; • Substantial Transmission: • New cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days is 50-99 • Percentage of positive tests in the past 7 days is 8-9.9%; • High Transmission: • New cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days is ≥100 • Percentage of positive tests in the past 7 days is ≥10%
CDC METRICS
WATERFORD’S DATA BASED ON CDC METRICS • Moderate Transmission: • New cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days is 10-49
• Waterford = 42 new cases per 100,000 (February 11, 2021) • Percentage of positive tests in the past 7 days is 5-7.9%
• Waterford = 5.0 % positive test rate (February 11, 2021)
DATA SUPPORTS FULL IN-PERSON LEARNING
WHY PHASE-IN TO FULL IN-PERSON NOW? • Updated Guidance – Guidance continues to evolve. We know more now than we did before. Research is constantly developing.
• LLHD and our Medical Advisor are in full support of our phased-in approach to returning students. • Body of research around schools that have been full-in already.
• COVID positivity rate and cases are decreasing across CT, SE CT, LLHD, and in Waterford. • Mitigating strategies (PPE) have been effective within our schools all year long and will remain in place.
STEVE MANSFIELD, DIRECTOR OF LLHD
Current COVID-19 Trends & Considerations
OTHER TRENDS & CONSIDERATIONS
• WE KNOW STUDENTS LEARN BEST IN A CLASSROOM. WE HAVE GREAT TEACHERS, GREAT STAFF, AND GREAT SCHOOLS.
• Concerns regarding the mental health and academic needs with our children. • Based on students’ needs, recommendations from staff and requests from parents for students to attend four days a week increasing. • A significant number of referrals to special education / 504 have been taking place.
WHY PHASE-IN AND NOT ALL AT ONCE? • Medical and Public Health guidance supports this transition. • Ensure our core mitigation strategies and protocols can continue to be implemented with the increased capacity. • Allows time for finalizing logistics – arrival, dismissal, lunch, furniture, etc. • Allows more time to monitor trends.
• Gauge any additional PPE needs. • Allows staff and students to adjust to increased capacity in buildings.
PROCESS & PLANNING THIS PHASED-IN RETURN TO FULL-IN PERSON LEARNING PLAN • • • • • • • • • • • •
Updated Guidance from CT DPH; State Epidemiologists; LLHD; and Medical Advisor Meeting with Stephen Mansfield, LLHD Director Feedback from Medical Advisor Meetings with Waterford Administrators & Leadership Team Meetings with WFCT Leadership & other Employee Groups Communication to Staff & Families about BOE Meeting & Broad Plans Survey Distance Learners Families Virtual Meeting with all District Staff & Solicit Feedback Draft Plans go to BOE Members Meeting with the Waterford Board of Education Communication on Plan to Families & School Community Feedback & Questions Solicited from Families
PARAMETERS OF THE RETURN TO FULL INPERSON PLAN • • • •
Based on latest research and guidance from medical and public health sectors Maintain any and all Mitigation Strategies Keep Strict Cohorts PK-8 Full-time Distance Learning Option Remains per CSDE • Parents will continue to have the option to have their child(ren) to fully learn from home • Continual Monitoring • Public Health Data • Phase-in Plan • Utilize Feedback Loops & Continually Reassess the Plan
It is a week-to-week decision.
THE BASICS • PK-5 – Phase-in to Full In-Person Learning • Maintain Classroom Cohorts
• Grades 6-8 – Phase-in to Full In-Person Learning • Maintain Classroom Cohorts
• Grades 9-12 – Utilize Wednesdays for In-Person Learning • Maintain Hybrid Schedule
• Students gain 1 additional in-person day over two weeks – 10% increase • Week 1 – 1 / 1 / 1 / 2 / 2 • Week 2 – 1 / 1 / 2 / 2 / 2
LEARNING DESIGN CHANGES BY KEY DATES Date
March 15
March 22 March 29
Grade Level
Current Model
Learning Design Changes
PK
4 Days
5 Days
K–2
Hybrid
4 Days
6 3–5
Hybrid Hybrid
4 Days 4 Days
7–8 K–8
Hybrid 4 Days
4 Days 5 Days
9 – 12
4 Days over Two Weeks
5 Days over Two Weeks
GRADES PK - 5 Grade Level
Start Date
Phase-in Learning Design Changes
Pre-Kindergarten
March 15
5 Days a week in School
March 15 March 29
4 Days a week in School 5 Days a week in School
March 22 March 29
4 Days a week in School 5 Days a week in School
Kindergarten
Grade 1 Grade 2
Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5
GRADES 6 - 8 Grade Level
Start Date
Phase-in Learning Design Changes
Grade 6
March 15 March 29
4 Days a week in School 5 Days a week in School
March 22 March 29
4 Days a week in School
Grade 7
Grade 8
5 Days a week in School
GRADES 9 – 12 & TRANSITION STUDENTS Grade Level
Start Date
Learning Design Changes Students will remain in Hybrid Cohorts of 1 & 2.
Grade 9 - 12
March 29
Cohorts will be in person on alternating Wednesdays.
Transition Students
March 29
Students will go to school 5 days a week.
18-22 Year Olds
EXAMPLE WEEK 1 WEEK 2
MONDAY 1 1
TUESDAY 1 1
WEDNESDAY 1 2
THURSDAY 2 2
FRIDAY 2 2
PLAN CONTINGENCIES:
• Stable and/or continuing decrease in community and school district positive cases and case rates • Stable and/or continuing decrease in community and school district transmission rates • Ability to safely continue core mitigation strategies • Ability to safely staff schools • May change on short notice if the COVID case rates or transmission rates increase in community and/or school
NEXT STEPS • Continued Communication & Planning with LLHD and Medical Advisor • Communication of District Plan to Families & School Community • Feedback & Questions from Families • School Administrators • Reopening@waterfordschools.org • Continued Planning at School & District Level
• School Plans Communicated to Families on Logistics • Arrival, Dismissal, Recess, Lunch, etc.
WATERFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS Safe Phase-In of Full In-Person Learning
We can. We will. Together.