CANTON — Superintendent Jill Rossetti and Principal Geoffrey Zini would like to inform Blue Hills Regional community members of health and safety measures and guidelines that will be followed for the start of the 2020-21 academic year.
Blue Hills Regional Technical School will begin the 2020-21 academic year with a hybrid learning model as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The first day of school will be on Friday, Sept. 18.
At the beginning of the school year the district will conduct the first phase of its hybrid learning model which will allow the school to operate at a 25% capacity with in-person vocational learning. All academic learning will be 100% remote.
The district will operate on an X & Y schedule that will alternate each week. During an X week sophomores will participate in in-person vocational learning on Mondays and Tuesdays, and seniors will participate in in-person vocational learning on Thursdays and Fridays. During an Y week freshmen will participate in in-person vocational learning on Monday and Tuesdays and juniors will participate in in-person vocational learning on Thursday and Fridays. All students will participate in remote learning on Wednesdays unless assigned to come to school.
More information about the proposed reopening plan can be found here.
The plan will be flexible in order to adapt to any changes that may need to be made as the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic changes.
The district’s planning process includes a comprehensive set of strategies and investments to minimize the risk of transmitting the virus. To ensure the minimization of risk, the district will be following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and local boards of health.
Custodial staff will continue to conduct rigorous cleanings of all school buildings as well as providing other preventative measures for students and staff, such as hand washing stations and hand sanitizer, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
The following health and safety measures have been implemented:
- A strict face-covering policy for students and staff at all schools will be enforced.
- Mask breaks will be given for students periodically during the day.
- Adequate room for social distancing will be made available at all times.
- With classrooms at 50% capacity, students and staff should be able to maintain social distancing of 6 feet at all times.
- Traffic patterns in all buildings have been developed and will be clearly marked in the school.
- Outdoor spaces will be used as often as possible for instruction.
- All food and drink served by our school will be individually portioned or packaged.
- Frequent hand washing and hand sanitizing will be stressed throughout the school day, and proper hygiene protocols will be put into place for all grades.
- Hand sanitizer will be available in every room and at every entrance. COVID-19 safety signage has been posted throughout all school buildings.
- Parents and guardians will be asked to monitor their children daily for symptoms of the virus, and staff will be asked to monitor themselves as well. To review symptoms of COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website by clicking here.
- Physical barriers will also be installed where needed or appropriate.
- All staff has been supplied with personal protective equipment (PPE) and a system is in place for staff to request replenishment of PPE supplies.
- Assemblies, extracurriculars, athletics, school events and trips will be modified to comply with social distancing guidelines, including postponement or cancellation.
- Non-essential visitors, volunteers and activities involving other groups will be restricted from entering the building.
- School principals, teachers and staff will train students on the district’s safety procedures at the beginning of the school year.
The district has also developed protocols should there be a positive case of COVID-19 identified in the school community, and students and their families are reminded that they must stay home when sick.
Additionally, Superintendent Rossetti had conducted an in-depth walk-through of school facilities to ensure the buildings meet safety requirements.
“We look forward to welcoming our students back on a limited basis beginning this week,” Superintendent Rossetti said. “We would like to thank our custodial staff and our entire facilities department for the hard work they’ve put in this summer to make our buildings safe. Thanks to them, we will be able to safely welcome students and staff back into our buildings while prioritizing their health and safety. I would also like to thank the Canton Department of Public Health, the Canton Police and Fire Departments, and the Canton Building Commissioner for all their help and support. “
To learn more about Blue Hills Regional Technical School, visit the school’s website.
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