Plymouth Superintendent Seeks Input Ahead Of Sharing Draft Plans

PLYMOUTH, MA — Plymouth Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gary Maestas is looking for input from parents and guardians ahead of an Aug. 3 draft presentation on the town's back-to-school plans amid the coronavirus crisis.

The town outlined the three scenarios the town has asked it to the plan for as part of the hopeful return to in-classroom education this fall and want to survey parents and guardians on what type of school they prefer for students given the current virus conditions.

• Face-to-face: In this model, all students return in person to school settings that are appropriately modified to accommodate the health and safety requirements outlined by DESE. Examples of modifications could include altered classroom configurations, setting up additional learning spaces, and schedule changes.

• Hybrid: All districts/schools must create a plan for a hybrid model in the event they are unable to bring all students back to school under the health and safety requirements despite their best efforts, or in case of COVID-19 related circumstances. A hybrid model means that students would alternate between in-person and remote learning. For instance, students could switch between in-person and remote learning on alternating weeks or days of the week.

• Remote model: This model must be available for individual students who cannot yet return in-person, and for all students in the event of future closures due to COVID-19. Additional guidance for statewide support and resources for remote learning will be provided by DESE in the coming days.

• Plan for special populations: Finally, across each of these models, all districts and schools need a plan for how special populations, including students with disabilities and English learners, will receive necessary services and accommodations.

Maestas said "the challenge that all schools currently have is meeting the requirements st for by (the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education)."

Each school district must present a place unique to its own space issues and building configurations.

"We are all anxious to know how our schools will look for the 2020-2021 school year, but at this point, all I can share with you is that during our school committee meeting on Monday, August 3rd, we will share our draft plans with the School Committee," Maestas said. "Pending their approval, we will then share the expectations and details with families."

Prior to submitting those plans, Maestas said Plymouth Schools are looking for parental input on how they view returning to school this fall in a survey here.