I just watched tonight’s DOE presentation about what the fall will look like and wanted to share what I heard. First, I was so impressed with the principals who spoke, they truly have herculean tasks ahead of them. There’s another meeting in a couple of weeks and they said they will have more info to share then. I’ll be tuning in to that.
You can sign up here: learndoe.org
My notes from tonight:
Check out the DOE website for info and updates: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-year-20-21/return-to-school-2020
- Principals will be in touch with school-specific info/check-in with parent coordinators
- Richard Carranza: the goal is safe, strong, and supportive learning – strong education, the school will be 5 days a week whether remote or in schools
- Important to work together to prepare students about what school will look like, start talking to kids now about mask-wearing – let kids know things will be different, one-way hallways, social distance entering and exiting buildings.
- Investigations might close schools if there are a number of COVID cases. One case school will be open but that room will close. If there are 2 cases in different rooms school will go remote for 14 days. People with symptoms need to stay home for 10 days.
- Results of the survey: 26% plan to be fully remote. 700k will be in blended learning programs.
- Schools will institute different arrival and departure times for students to make sure there’s enough distancing.
- Teachers will have 30 minutes at the beginning of the day to work together to make sure they’re on the same page.
- 20 minute teacher time built into school days for one on one support.
- PE, art, dance, visual arts will be taught in the fall as well. DOE will provide guidelines.
- 6600 custodians, 3000 plus electrostatic sprayers s, all buildings surveyed for adequate ventilation, some rooms will not be used. 210k signs installed at signs. 4 million face masks and 4 million cloth coverings will be delivered to schools before the school year starts.
- If the city infection rate goes up then schools will close. 3% for school to close – NYC hovering between 1 and 2% for 2 months
- Custodians are being trained for consistency right now. Can clean a room in under 2 minutes
Filters have been upgraded in schools. - Cleaning logs will be kept to make sure things are happening.
- Temperature checks – DOE looking into perhaps buying thermometers for all families so temps can be taken before getting to school.
- Families have to say goodbye outside and not enter buildings.
- Mask questions: masks are mandatory for EVERYONE and must be worn properly. Nonmask wearers will put into remote learning mode. Very limited exceptions.
- Seeking all 4 of these conditions for max safety: face-covering washing hands social distancing ventilation
- Principals in touch with families, especially incoming students, to make sure they have devices to work on.
- Students are doing the same work whether remote learners or in school buildings.
- Schools can use google classroom or learn NYC but can also choose other online systems.
- Starting in fall ATTENDANCE AND GRADES WILL COUNT
- All students in the school will have breakfast and lunch available. Remote learners can pick up meals as well.
- Days will be slightly shorter to allow for staggered comings and goings from the building.
- iPads need to be returned when kids graduate so they can be used by other students.
- Remote student teachers will hopefully be teachers from that school. 15% of teachers have requested accommodations which means 11,300 teachers will not be in schools. In person staffing will be a challenge.
- Parent coordinators will be trained to help with technology.
- Looking on how to use outdoor space more.
- Some arts can happen in person but things like band cannot and will be remote.
- Remote learning will be much better than it was in the spring.
- One high school example: Fort Hamilton HS: 400 students a day will be in person so they can monitor when kids move between classes. They have a student body of 2300. Hallways and staircases will be one way. Will be scanning kids into school and checking temps AND social distancing. Lockers: they will not be using. PE will be mindfulness as opposed to physical activity. Subways: monitors will be outside to help with social distancing.
- There will be opportunities to opt-in or out of remote or blended learning as the school year progresses.
ELISSA STEIN
