Walpole Supt. Supports Hybrid Model For School Reopening

WALPOLE, MA — Walpole Public Schools are planning on using the hybrid learning model in the fall. Superintendent Bridget Gough announced her commitment to the hybrid model in her message to families on Friday.

The district, like all others in the Commonwealth, is still required to outline and present three possible models of learning by July 31. The three models are: one fully in-person, one hybrid between in person and remote learning and one completely remote model.

A draft of the three plans was presented to the Walpole School Committee on Friday afternoon and a finalized version of the models will be submitted to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education by August 10.

"After reviewing the three models, soliciting feedback from community stakeholders and working with other districts across the state, we believe this is the best model at this time. The hybrid model allows for class sizes that align with our physical distancing goals of 6 feet and operational plans related to health and safety while meeting both the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Walpole Health Department recommended guidelines," Gough said in her letter.

In Walpole's hybrid model, students will be placed in cohorts for in-person instruction and alternate between cohorts and remote learning on a regular schedule. In-person classes will happen twice a week and remote learning will happen twice a week as well. Mondays will be an early release day in order to give staff a chance to “thoroughly clean school buildings, address the implementation of health and safety protocols, and provide additional interventions."

The majority of students will be assigned a cohort by alphabet, and siblings will be kept in the same cohort K-12. Pre-K will see minimal disruptions to the schedule and the district is exploring the possibility of bringing kindergarten students back into the classroom full-time.

The district is working with the town to possibly offer child care during the days of remote instruction for Walpole residents.

"Upon release of the final plan, we will provide a forum for both elementary and secondary parents to answer questions and address concerns. We understand that this is a very difficult time and that not knowing what the return to school will look like is unsettling. We are working diligently to ensure accurate communication while responding to the ever-changing nature of this pandemic," Gough said.