By Ashley M. Casey
Associate Editor
The Baldwinsville Central School District has submitted its plan for reopening this fall to New York State. The district, which published the plan July 31, is offering families a choice of hybrid learning (both in-person and remote instruction) or 100% remote learning.
“Our administrators, leaders, teachers and staff members have been working for months to develop a plan to safely reopen our school buildings,” Superintendent Matt McDonald wrote in a statement on the district’s website, bville.org. “There are more decisions to be made and more details to be finalized. We are grateful for the continued support from the community.”
Students who choose the hybrid schedule will be divided into two cohorts — “The Hive” and “The Buzz” — based on neighborhoods/bus routes so that families and siblings will follow the same schedule.
The Hive and the Buzz will follow an alternating schedule of three days of in-person instruction and three days of remote instruction. Since school is in session Monday through Friday, this means that some weeks students will attend school three days and other weeks they will attend in-person two days.
The Buzz will start the school year in-person Wednesday, Sept. 9, and attend classes Sept. 10 and 11, while the Hive will attend classes in-person starting Monday, Sept. 14.
Students will learn their cohort assignment by Aug. 21.
Some students may be allowed to attend school in-person all five days a week, including students with a disability, physical or mental impairment; English Language Learners (ELL), homeless and/or unaccompanied youth, or students in kindergarten through second grade.
During the three-day remote instruction period in the hybrid model, students will have contact with an instructional staff member at least one or two times.
Students whose families opt for 100% remote learning will receive daily instruction from a staff member and virtual opportunities will be provided for music and physical education.
Families have until Friday, Aug. 7, to select hybrid or remote learning for their children through the district’s SchoolTool Parent Portal.
“Selections will remain in place for a marking period at a minimum. As circumstances change, the district will make adjustments and communicate options to students and families,” reads the district’s plan.
Health and safety requirements
School will look a lot different this fall: Buses will be emptier, desks will be spaced farther apart and the familiar sounds of band or chorus practice will not fill the halls.
Before school each morning, families must do a temperature check and fill out a health questionnaire. If there is a confirmed COVID-19 case, the affected building(s) will be shut down for a minimum of 24 hours.
Parents are encouraged to transport their kids to and from school to reduce bus density and allow schools to stagger arrival and departure times. Visitors and volunteers are not allowed in school buildings until further notice.
While in school buildings, students and staff will be required to wear face coverings at all times except for supervised breaks or if a person has a medical condition that contraindicates the use of a mask.
Students and staff must maintain a distance of six feet while on school grounds or on school buses. Since NYS requires a minimum of 12 feet of distance for aerobic activities, musical ensembles and singing, these activities will not be conducted on school grounds unless state guidance changes.
Easing the transition
The district has been holding a series of webinars about different aspects of reopening: health and safety, curriculum and instruction, special education and student support services, social-emotional learning and mental health, transportation and food services. Deputy Superintendent Joe DeBarbieri has served as the moderator for the webinar series.
The final webinar, which covers athletics and performing arts, takes place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6. Visit bville.org/teacherpage.cfm?teacher=7457 to view past webinars or register to participate in the Aug. 6 webinar.
Families are encouraged to visit bville.org and check their email for updates about the BCSD’s COVID-19 response and reopening plan.
Other resources are available at sites.google.com/view/bvillecovid19/home/. This site includes information about COVID-19, phone numbers for each school building and major departments, tips about remote learning, and contact info for counselors in each school building.
