Grades 6-12 to Remain Remote, All Other Students to Resume Hybrid Learning
RAYMOND — Superintendent Tina McCoy wishes to share an update to the district’s reopening plan following the holiday season.
Starting Tuesday, Jan. 19, all students in grades 1-5 who are following the hybrid learning model will return to school as per their previously established A/B schedule. Students in grades 6-12 will continue fully remote learning until at least Feb. 1.
Preschool and kindergarten students, as well as those in grades 1-5 who have opted to participate in fully remote learning will continue to follow their normal schedules.
As previously scheduled, there will be no school for students and a teacher in-service day for staff on Friday, Jan. 15. There will be no school on Monday, Jan. 18 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Parents and guardians are reminded that fully remote learning is available for any student if the parent does not wish for his or her child to return to on site learning. In order to do so, please contact your student’s principal in writing.
The decision to temporarily keep students in grades 6-12 in a remote learning model was made in order to help protect the health and safety of the entire Raymond School District community as the risk for the transmission of COVID-19 remains high in the community, the need to ensure adequate staffing levels and state guidance.
District officials will continue to monitor the situation over the next two weeks and will share any updates should further adjustments need to be made.
“Our hope is to be able to have all students who have opted for hybrid learning to resume their normal schedules next month, as we know the challenges families face while their students are participating in fully remote learning,” Superintendent McCoy said. “However, this change helps to protect the health and safety of all students, staff and their families, which remains the top guiding principle as we continue to navigate this pandemic. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
Families who are immediately in need of a Chromebook for their student to participate in remote learning or are in need of technology support may call the Technology Support Hotline at 603-690-9005. Staff will be available starting at 7 a.m. from Monday through Friday to help families in need.
Free meals will remain available for all Raymond students during this time and families are encouraged to take part in the program. Meals are now available for pick up or delivery twice a week. More information about the program and how to order meals for students can be found here.
There will be no change for the Before School Program at Lamprey River Elementary School or the Learning Enrichment After School Program (LEAP) schedules.
Additionally, those who are interested in helping the district during this time can:
- Apply to be a substitute teacher, paraeducatoror classroom monitor in the Raymond School District. Applications can be submitted online and information on how to apply can be found here.
- Volunteer to help monitor students who are in school, but receiving instruction from a teacher who is remote. Please contact the main office of the school you wish to volunteer at for more information. The district will cover the cost of the background check required for designated volunteers.
If you or your child are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, such as a fever, chills, respiratory illness, aches or change in taste and smell, or believe you have been exposed to someone who has contracted COVID-19, get a COVID-19 test and stay home until you receive your results. Testing can be done either through your primary healthcare provider or at one of the testing sites located throughout the state.
To prevent further spread of the virus in the community, the Raymond School District asks that students, families and staff take the following precautions to prevent the spread of the disease:
- Stay home if you have a fever or are not feeling well.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid close contact with others. When outside your home, please adhere to social distancing guidelines and keep a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others.
- Wear a cloth face covering that covers your mouth and nose to protect others when in public areas.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Children may worry about themselves, their family and friends getting sick with COVID-19. Tips for talking to children about COVID-19 can be found here.
To learn more about COVID-19, please check these trusted resources:
- New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
- United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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