HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm. 12/08/2020Approved 01-12-21
Mansfield School Committee
Return to Learning Subcommittee
Minutes for December 8, 2020
A meeting of the Mansfield School Committee Return to Learning subcommittee was opened and called
to order at 8:06am.
Attendees: Lauren Scher, Linda Fernando, Teresa Murphy, Michael Connelly
Approval of Minutes
September 25, 2020: approved
New Business
• Update on Hybrid Model
o Everyone is into a routine v
o Looking ahead to next year's HS schedule; Mary/Tina working on it now. i
• Guidance needed: Offerings were reduced because of the numberoft*hers
used for the virtual remote cohort.
Mary will join on Jan 12 SC meeting to discuss.
• Could use Edgenuity for all students and have teachers back in
classroom; this will allow the offering of other classes options next year.
o Week before winter break (week of 12/21)
• They are closely monitoring the number of positive cases and the number being
quarantined and determining whether to continue with hybrid or go fully
remote the last few days before vacation to minimize cases during the holidays.
o Teachers are doing a good job adapting to hybrid; some are regularly live -streaming.
o Perception (parents, staff, students) surveys have been sent out: close on Friday; they
will synthesize and "package" for the public. They are determining how to present the
data.
• It will be important focus on key take-aways, which may vary by school and
actions.
• They will have the full data available for transparency purposes.
o Robinson: Studying the possibility to bring in Rob students in for 5 - % days
• Feasibility study started in November, which has included several meetings with
Robinson staff.
Kerr! will come to SC on 12/15 to discuss findings of feasibility study.
• They are reviewing implications for transportation, arrival/dismissal,
CHAMPS, custodial needs, food service, instructional time, reading
groups, etc.
• Have been talking to the teaching / learning leader in Foxboro
• Their schools have fewer students and fewer students on buses.
• Families survey open until Friday; going to teachers shortly
Approved 01-12-21
• Movement to/from hybrid/remote cohorts
o Daily cohort: the numbers have increased at J1. What is the intention to ramp that up?
• Teachers are advocating for specific students who they believe can benefit from
being in the daily cohort.
• Now that there are more students, they have to consider bussing and lunches.
• Limited space in buildings— some classrooms are using every possible inch of
space; some classes are at 4, 5 ft which impacts contact numbers when there is
a need to quarantine.
In some cases, adding students means changing teachers, or possibly in the
future, changing cohorts to manage numbers appropriately.
• Staffing / substitute concerns
o This has been very challenging in all areas: teaching, paraprofessionals, food service,
custodial, etc.
o They have been brainstorming ideas; Jocelyn thinking through some ideas to help with
recruiting.
• Have received applications from some college students
• Some suggestions that have come up: cable ads, referral bonus, etc.
• Do not need to be a certified teacher to be a substitute teacher
• Hoping for some December graduates to have interest
• Social media may be an option to reach students not going back to college next
semester
o Teacher contract: $20 per period pay when they are covering another classroom.
• HS is paying $35 (which was implemented in the time of block scheduling). Will
have to sort this out.
• Draft description / purpose of subcommittee
o Lauren is looking into this
• Update on communication methods
o Biggest change: not sending emails to everyone on positive cases, only those affected
• When change first announced, only a few parents reached out to Teresa to
discuss (and had a variety of opinions)
• This continues to evolve, i.e., website has total number of cases.
• Current cases and current cases per school will be added
• This is updated, sometimes on a daily basis.
o Should principals inform students/parents directly (in addition to website) if there is an
influx of cases.
• Revisit for next time
Approved 01-12-21
What would be the determination? Number of cases? Number of people in
quarantine?
• Does it differ by school?
• It would be good to give a heads up to parents if there's a possibility of a change
so it's not a surprise.
Next meeting date: January 12
Meeting adjourned: 9:06 am