Swampscott Schools Want Families To Commit To Hybrid Or Remote

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — As Swampscott Public Schools prepare to reopen for hybrid learning on Monday after going remote the week before and after the holiday break, the district wants families to commit to a learning model for their students through the next three months.

Swampscott families are asked to declare by Friday whether they want their students in remote learning or hybrid learning from Jan. 19 through April 16.

The district said in a letter to families that those who do not respond to the survey will be assigned to either remote or hybrid learning, and that due to capacity requirements there is a limit to the amount of students who can take part in in-classroom education.

"Please keep in mind that if the number of students choosing hybrid instruction exceeds the capacity of our schools to serve students in person, we will give hybrid slots first to students who are not making adequate academic progress, and then fill the remaining slots through a lottery," the district said.

The district said the remote learning option will include a "an increase in the amount of time students are live with their teachers when they are learning from home," which it said exceeds new state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidelines of at least 35 hours of "live" instruction per week.

Swampscott Schools closed to in-classroom learning prior to the holiday, and delayed winter indoor sports and other extracurricular activities, due to a surge in coronavirus cases in the town and throughout the region.

"The Swampscott Public Schools intend to continue with the hybrid model as our predominant mode of instruction unless health metrics in the community and at our school warrant a switch to fully remote learning for most students," the district said. "Please remember that for the vast majority of students, learning and achievement improve if they are in-person with their teacher at least some of the time."

Several changes to the hybrid model and schedule used in the fall are included here.

More Patch Coverage: Swampscott Joins Salem In Pressing Pause On Winter School Sports