HAVERHILL — Superintendent Maureen Lynch announces that Whittier Tech will reopen for hybrid learning this fall.
The district’s School Committee approved a hybrid learning model at its meeting last night. The plan reflects input given over the spring and summer from students, staff, parents and guardians, school committee members, local public health officials and administrators.
Students will also have the option to participate in a fully remote model to start the year.
During their academic weeks, students will stay in cohorts of 10-12 peers while remaining in one classroom. Teachers will travel between classrooms. During their vocational weeks, students will be grouped in cohorts of no more than 12. Students will be required to maintain six feet of distance in their academic classrooms and vocational classrooms, labs and shops, and will be required to wear face coverings at all times.
Students will additionally be sorted into one of two groups- “A” and “B”. Group A will attend school in-person on Tuesday and Thursday and Group B will attend school in-person on Wednesday and Friday. All students will take part in remote learning on Mondays and on the days they are not taking part in in-person learning.
Freshmen and new students will begin the school year on Wednesday, Sept. 16, students in Group A will begin the school year on Thursday, Sept. 17 and students in Group B will begin the school year on Friday, Sept. 18. All students will also participate in a two week technology orientation to familiarize themselves with the online tools and resources they will utilize during remote learning days. Staff will also take part in 10 days of training and professional development prior to the first day of classes to prepare for the school’s reopening amid COVID-19.
To read the full plan, click here.
“Our district has pulled together to craft a plan that we feel best meets the needs of our community during this challenging, evolving time,” Superintendent Lynch said. “I am grateful for everyone who helped us assess what we needed to do to get to this point. We are excited to have the opportunity to welcome students back this fall, and will continue to prioritize the health and wellbeing of all students and staff.”
Whittier Tech will also implement numerous initiatives aimed at protecting the health and wellbeing of students and staff including:
- Face coverings will be required for all students and staff, and socially distanced mask breaks will be incorporated throughout the day. Students are responsible for bringing their own masks, but disposable masks will also be available for those who need them.
- Students will be required to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms before coming to school with assistance from their families, and a verbal screening will also be held upon their arrival. Staff will also be expected to self-monitor for symptoms.
- To review symptoms of COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website here.
- If a student develops symptoms at school, they will be placed in a designated medical waiting room. Then, their parent or guardian will be contacted pick the student up. Students who develop symptoms will be required to get tested for COVID-19 or self isolate at home for 14 days.
- Entry and exit from the building will be staggered and students will be expected to disinfect their hands using hand sanitizer when they enter or exit the facility.
- Hand sanitizer dispensers have been placed in classrooms, throughout the building and at exits and entryways.
- The District has developed a comprehensive disinfecting and cleaning regimen for the facility.
- Students will be able to eat in the cafeteria, lobby or outdoors. Students will be seated at tables separated by Plexiglas when in the cafeteria.
Should the district need to transition back to remote learning due to COVID-19, attendance will be required, students will follow a daily class schedule and all work will be graded.
District administration will continue to provide regular updates to all stakeholders as more information becomes available throughout the school year pertaining to district plans and COVID-19.
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