Lakeland Starts Hybrid Instruction Thursday

SHRUB OAK, NY — The Lakeland school district will start bringing students to classrooms a few days a week on Thursday, using the hybrid model in its revised reopening plan.

“We have collectively been working hard to create the necessary conditions for a transition to the hybrid model and are excited to be able to make this change sooner than originally estimated,” said Superintendent Dr. Brendan Lyons.

When the district returned to school in early September it went to 100 percent remote instruction. That let the staff start by focusing on delivering a high-quality remote learning program, he said.

Anxiety was high among teachers and parents across the Hudson Valley before school started.

In Lakeland, district officials began receiving requests from staff for leaves of absences for medical and other personal reasons such as childcare. That, coupled with the expected absences due to sickness as well as required absences because of daily employee coronavirus screenings, made it impossible to open with enough staff and supervision to use the hybrid model, which reduces the student population in schools at any given time by having students rotate between classrooms part of the week and learning from home the rest of the week.

The decision to start off fully remote was announced Aug. 27.

At the time, officials estimated the district would be fully remote, other than in-person instruction for some special education students with the highest level of need, until Oct. 13. The superintendent pledged to work toward an earlier return.

"Our teachers and support staff have done an outstanding job of successfully launching our school year," Lyons said. "We want to thank the community for their understanding and patience as we continue to navigate this complex school year."

He urged students and families to continue to practice social distancing, wear masks, and avoid large-group gatherings when possible.

"Maintaining a healthier community and keeping our local numbers low will increase our schools' likelihood of remaining open," Lyons said.