HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm. 02/09/2021 (2)approved 3-9-21
Mansfield School Committee,";=
Return to Learning, Subcommittee FE
Minutes for February 9, 2021
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A meeting of the Mansfield School Committee Return to Learning subcommittee was opened and called
to order at 8:03am. -_
Attendees: Lauren Scher, Linda Fernando, Teresa Murphy, Michael Connelly
Approval of Minutes
January 12, 2021- approved.
New Business
Transition to in -person learning.
o Robinson - kindergarten
• Working w Christine Dooling to review metrics and recent trends. This includes
week by week changes to students in quarantine, number of positive cases and
number of new town cases.
• We have been seeing a decline in cases across the district, and only a small number
of cases at the Robinson School (or across the district).
• Still on track for the March 1 deadline for bringing the K students back in full time.
• There are still logistic issues to resolve. Mike is reaching out to neighboring districts
who have students in school to understand how they're managing it. It is important
to consider their specific situations - building size, state "color' designation, staff
capacities, etc.).
• In communicating the date, we want to be clear and consistent; relying on the
publicly available dashboard probably makes the most sense. The main messaging
right now is that the numbers are low and there has been minimal evidence of in -
school transmission. However, things can always change, and we are monitoring
carefully. A FAQ for families might be helpful.
• We will need to monitor carefully to see if there is a potential spike after February
vacation.
• As of now: 171 respondents (76%) to the recent Robinson Kindergarten survey with
149, 87% selecting in -person and 22 families, or 13% chose Virtual Remote Cohort
(VRC). A few people have switched cohort (9 students from VRC to in person, one
student from hybrid to VRC). School staff will reach out to those who don't respond.
• The plan, as of now, would be to retain the two virtual kindergarten classes (about
22 students in each).
• Mike will be meeting with Robinson staff and others over the next week. One issue
that is still being resolved is how students will experience programming if they are
required to quarantine. No option is perfect; all have pros and cons. Some options
include:
• Option 1: absent and send work home - asynchronous school work (which is
what typically would happen pre -pandemic).
• Option 2: Quarantine the whole class for a period of time.
• Option 3: Quarantining student connects virtually; this may be challenging
with this age group. Or possibly moving students into virtual temporarily.
approved 3-9-21
• Other logistical issues
• Buses — might need to tweak the routes or consider changes in pick up
times, particularly on Wednesdays.
• Desks — these will be added during February vacation break.
• Vaccine —They are hoping March and aim to hold clinics on Wednesdays for first
round.
o The district has not set a time for adding other grade levels. We will evaluate bringing in
other grades after Kindergarten gets in and look to see how it's going.
Structured Learning Time
o DESE released a new survey due this week. DESE will be holding office hours for questions.
They are asking to round to the nearest 0.25 and want to see the MOA with the union.
There is also a requirement to note if there are plans to change any of the models any time
during the remainder of the school year.
Meeting adjourned: 8:58am.