Mount Vernon Schools Change Plans, Remain Remote

MOUNT VERNON, NY — Mount Vernon school officials have postponed their plan to resume in-school education using the hybrid model adopted this summer.

Kenneth R. Hamilton wrote a letter to parents saying several factors influenced the decision to keep students learning remotely through the end of the marking period: keeping kids and the teachers with whom they started off the year together; dealing with bus transportation problems; watching the experiences of other local districts who've had emergency shutdowns due to reported cases; and a trend flagged by the Center for Disease Control of increased cases among children.

"Although our plans have changed, our goals have not," he said in the letter. "We remain committed to keeping students, staff, and their families as safe as possible while trying to provide the best educational programs and supports given our current circumstances."

The first marking period ends Nov. 13, after which a planned move to hybrid learning will be rolled out in phases, he said.

Phase 1: Nov. 16 (Pre K-3)
Details: For those who selected in-person instruction, we will open for students in grades PreK-3. All other students, including those in grades Pre K-3 who chose the remote learning option, will continue in the remote program.

Phase 2: Nov. 30 (Grades 4-8)
Details: For those who selected in-person instruction, we will extend reopening to include Pre K-8. All other students, including those in grades Pre k-3 and 4-8 who chose the remote learning option, will continue in their remote program.

Phase 3: Dec. 14 (Grades 9-12)
Details: Students who requested in-person schooling in grades 9-12 will be included in this phase. Cohort A will attend school in person on Mondays, Tuesdays and alternating Wednesdays. Cohort B will attend school in person on Thursdays, Fridays and alternating Wednesdays. Cohorts will be established by the secondary schools as we prepare for this model. The classroom teachers will teach both the in-person students and fully remote students at this time. Minor adjustments to schedules may occur; however, for the most part, students will maintain the teacher they had for the first marking period.

Hamilton reminded parents and students that to keep class sizes consistent with social distancing guidelines, a student may not switch between in-person and remote learning after the start of any given marking period.

"These plans reflect what we know and understand at this time," Hamilton said in the letter, which was posted on Facebook Sept. 29. "Circumstances like state mandates and peaks in COVID infection along with Influenza may dictate additional changes. These factors are beyond our control, so we must remain as flexible as possible. Of course, we will continue to update you as often as possible to keep you informed."