The Braintree School Committee is working on a reopening plan for the Schools this fall. A draft includes a phased approach, with a preference towards in-person learning.
School Superintendent Frank Hackett says they’re aiming for a September reopening for schools, with multiple options to adapt as-needed.
“We’re going to spend the time to really make sure that we are establishing relationships and getting students comfortable with what routines look like,” said Hackett. “We’ll also during this time, be doing some initial gap assessments. We know that all students will have experienced learning gaps and we also know that our most challenged students will definitely have gaps that are wider. We want to know what those look like overall so we that we can plan for support as we bring students along during the course of the school year.”
The preference is to have in-person learning, with alternating remote learning sessions to ensure social distancing. There is a full-remote option for students who choose it. A draft plan was presented this week.
Starting off, masks will be required for all students, but that may change for the lower grades. Teachers have gotten more training in trauma, to help kids who may have had a difficult time at home.
“We’ve spent a lot of time over the course of this summer and investments in additional software, technology, and instructional planning,” said Hackett. “That will put us in a very different position for full remote learning for the fall for those students who choose to go in it, or if we are engaging the students in a hybrid model, or if things change dramatically, if we have to roll everybody into a full remote learning method.”
Meetings are planned next week to get feedback from parents, staff, and teachers.
For more information on the plan for this fall, visit BraintreeSchools.org/reopening.
