Coronavirus: Plymouth Public Schools To Begin Remote Learning

PLYMOUTH, MA — Plymouth Public Schools on Thursday announced some of the district's plans for transforming to remote learning while schools remain closed due to the coronavirus medical emergency. Based on new guidance from the Department of Education, Plymouth will begin a remote learning program on April 7.

The first three weeks of the schools closures were considered "non-school days" where remote learning activities were optional, and could not be graded or tested. Assistant Superintendent Gregory Campbell said it is important to know that, moving forward, the work assigned is not considered optional. Assignments will be "graded" on a "complete/incomplete" system at the elementary level, and "pass/fail" at the secondary level.

Campbell added that in anticipation of the status switch, Plymouth teachers, support and administrators have been planing and preparing for a more structured learning environment. Any assignments that may be posted during the week of April 20 — school vacation week — are considered optional.

Campbell said a new website will be populated with our remote learning plan, which will include weekly lesson plans from each of your child's teachers as well as other learning opportunities that you and your children may take advantage of during this extended closure. Plymouth Public Schools will also be posting a list of weekly "Office Hours" for each teacher, specialist and administrator detailing how and when parents and students may connect with district staff.

Campbell said that in addition to these specific hours, which are two times per week, staff is accessible daily by email.

"Phase two of our remote learning plan will be new for everyone," Campbell said. "We are deliberately approaching this new phase slowly so we may fine tune this approach to teaching and learning. Many of our staff find themselves, much like our parents, balancing their roles as caregivers while attempting to do their jobs from home.

"Staff will work the best they can to maintain a sense of 'normalcy' for our students. That being said, we realize nothing can replace the daily staff/student interaction. As we move forward into what may become a lengthy remote learning experience, we must all remember to communicate and share what is working and what is not. There will be bumps in the road along the way, but we can address those challenges best by working together."

The elementary classroom teachers and other certificated staff members will be responsible for the ongoing monitoring and tracking of student participation and completion of assigned work. This will also include providing ongoing feedback to individual students.

At the middle and high school, the goal for teachers is to provide engagement in learning concept for students during the closure. Teachers will use a pass/fail system for Term 3, which will be extended through May 1. A passing grade will reflect whether or not a student is engaged in the lessons. Students are expected to engage. Work will be assessed on a weekly basis. If a student is unresponsive, a teacher will make every effort to connect and communicate with the student or parent, along with school guidance and administration, on engagement efforts.

Don't miss updates about precautions in your area as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

(If you have a story of a local business or organization that is looking to lend a hand to those in need during the coronavirus pandemic, or lift spirits amid social distancing and isolation, Patch wants to let people in your community know about it. Contact Scott Souza at Scott.Souza@patch.com to help us spread the positives in this uncertain time.)

Latest coronavirus coverage

• Court Considers Release Of Inmates With Coronavirus Risks
• National Guard Testing At Senior Homes
• Governor Bans Some AirBNB Rentals