Danbury Public Schools Superintendent Sal Pascarella has announced the reopening of the schools in a hybrid in-person learning model beginning on Monday, Oct. 26th for all grades K-12.
Please read the school re-opening update from Pascarella below.
Preschool is anticipated to return the following week and more information will be forthcoming. Given the medical team’s recent analysis of the state data related to the COVID-19 community spread, we now fall in the “Moderate Range”. This, along with the large number of students requesting distant learning, will allow us to implement the hybrid model safely while conducting classes in combination with the mitigation strategies of social distancing and wearing masks (BOE Policy). I expect that we will be in the hybrid model until the District is advised by the state and local health officials otherwise.
Important Hybrid Model Notes for K-5: Students will attend school 2 days a week for in person learning according to their assigned cohort (Blue or Orange). This information was sent previously just prior to school opening. On days that students do not attend school, they will be provided with asynchronous lessons to be completed at home. Lessons will include video recordings and related practice assignments that are similar and on pace with what is being delivered to in person students that same day. Students will also be given an attendance form that needs to be completed by 9am each day. Students at home will have an additional 20-30 minute social emotional check in with their teacher between 2pm and 3pm on one of the two at home days. Students will continue to have access to their special area classes, but only on the days they attend in person. Later in the winter or early spring, we will likely rotate the in person special area content so students experience all of our special area class offerings.
On Wednesdays, students from both cohorts will work from home with their teachers for a combination of live synchronous and asynchronous instruction. Please note: *Due to the number of students electing to participate in the full distance learning option, your child’s teacher may change as we work to adjust and rebalance supervision in both programs. Any changes will be communicated by your school just prior to the transition date. We realize that this may be difficult for some, but we must balance safety and the health of staff and students as a first priority. Please be assured that all staff are working hard to ensure that any adjustments to your child’s schedule will be done with the least amount of disruption possible.
Important K-5 Full Distance Learning Cohort Notes For those who have selected this option, we will notify families of new distance learning teacher assignments closer to the transition date. Students in this model will follow the same math and literacy curriculum as their in school peers and will meet with their teacher daily 5 days a week virtually, however, they will not have special area engagement with a live teacher. Instead, a choice board of music, art, media and PE activities will be made available for asynchronous enrichment. Students may access these activities flexibly across the week.
Important Hybrid and Distance Learning Notes for 6-12 All students who are learning from home as part of the hybrid or full distance learning cohort will log in to their classes remotely following their course schedule. In addition to the live synchronous classes that students are expected to attend, teachers will assign additional independent or asynchronous work. On Wednesdays, all students will learn from home following their assigned schedules.
Read his message in its entirety HERE.