Centre School Physical Education teacher Michaela Moran, center, speaks with first grade student Alexis Espinola, left. (Courtesy Photo Hampton School District) -
First grade student Anne Ronner-Bland and Centre School Grade One teacher Michaela Lemire work together to finish an assignment during class on Tuesday. (Courtesy Photo Hampton School District)
HAMPTON — Superintendent Dr. Lois Costa and Principal Tim Lannan are pleased to share that the Centre School returned to fully in-person learning on Tuesday.
The Centre School serves students in pre-kindergarten through second grade. The transition is the first step in the district’s phased return to fully in-person learning. The Marston School will return to fully in-person learning next on April 12 and Hampton Academy will follow on May 3.
“The whole Centre School community came together to make this day possible. I am so proud of how hard everyone worked to make this happen,” Principal Lannan said. “The first day with everyone back went great! Everyone was excited to be back.”
The district has successfully operated under a hybrid learning model since the beginning of the school year. Now that cases of COVID-19 have decreased in the community steadily in recent months the district has decided to move forward with a transition to fully in-person learning.
“Our goal has always been to bring students back for in-person learning and we are thrilled to be able to do that now,” Superintendent Costa said. “We will continue to be vigilant in monitoring public health data and the public health protocols in place in our buildings, and we’re confident this will be tremendously beneficial for our students academically and for their social emotional health and wellbeing as well.”
A small percentage of students have also opted to continue with fully remote learning for the remainder of the school year. Of more than 300 students at Centre School, 30 have chosen to continue pursue fully remote learning.
“As the PE teacher turned first grade teacher, I am excited to see all the kids back at school. It was evident today just how beneficial returning to five days of in person learning will be to our students,” said Physical Education teacher Michaela Moran on Tuesday. “I’m looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish this last trimester!”
“The energy and excitement from staff and students was like the first day of school after summer vacation,” said School Counselor Samantha Connell. “It was so great to see all our students in the building together. The engagement, enthusiasm and laughter was heartwarming.”
Students and staff will continue to maintain six feet of distance in all district buildings, wear masks and will be screened daily for symptoms of COVID-19.
Many students will be spread out over two classrooms for each class in order to facilitate social distancing, and will be overseen by their teacher and another staff member, one of whom will oversee each room. Due to staffing and space limitations, the district will end the school day at approximately 1 p.m. for students at the Centre School to facilitate lunch and prep time for teachers.
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