District delays hybrid learning
LEOMINSTER » Leominster Public Schools is postponing the proposed start of the hybrid learning model to Jan. 25, the first day of the third quarter of the school year.
“Due to a city positivity rate of 11.91%, we will continue to work in a remote setting through January 22,” Leominster Public Schools Superintendent Paula Deacon wrote in a recent letter to district families. “This date is the end of Quarter 2 and with any luck we can finish our year in person. Although this is disappointing news, our district has been doing a tremendous job. Students will continue to engage with their teachers daily. Creative Choices and the Boys & Girls Club will be open for additional support.”
The letter said that schools across the city will reopen Jan. 25 in a hybrid setting for grades pre-K through ninth and 12th. The following week sophomores and juniors will join, and the high school will be working with families to establish a weekly schedule, assign transportation and provide support.
“We are looking forward to reopening our buildings in a hybrid model and moving forward until June,” Deacon said. “( The) majority of parents are supportive and only want what is best for their children.”
The reaction on social media to the news is divided. Some parents say that their children are
thriving in remote learning, while others report that their kids are having a hard time with it.
Sharon Frechette’s son Josh is a Leominster High School senior, and her daughter Julia is in eighth grade at Samoset Middle School.
“I was not surprised by the decision to postpone remote learning longer since the infection rate is so high,” Fr e c h e tt e said. “My children have both been remote the entire year so far and remote learning has been going well for both of them. They are both learning important skills on independent study and both get to sleep a little later in the morning. My daughter chose to stay remote; she likes the flexibility between class time and independent study, and she is taking high school courses through Edgenuity. My son, a senior, will be well prepared on studying independently for college. He is looking forward to going back if there can be some sort of socialization and extracurricular activities, as there are classes that he feels will be better in per
‘This has been so hard on everyone,
especially the kids.’
– Jessica Algarin’s daughter is in first grade
son.”
Frechette said the hardest part for her kids has been missing out on social interaction with friends and teachers, and not being able to participate in extracurricular activities in person.
“Unfortunately, I am not sure how much socialization will be going on in the classroom due to all the protocols,” she said. “I am hopeful that the numbers will go down later in the spring and some of my son’s senior year can be salvaged.”
Jessica Algarin said it is disheartening to hear her 6-year-old first grade daughter say she “hates school” because she has to sit in front of a computer for so long each day.
“This has been so hard on everyone, especially the kids,” Algarin said. “While my daughter is not loving remote learning, she is doing well academically and loves her teacher. She asks daily when things will be normal again and tearfully said last night that she wishes she could at least be hybrid.”
Algarin said she does not have much hope that the students will return to school at all.
“I wish they would just come out and say the kids aren’t going back at all this year, period, instead of setting a new date every couple of weeks and then pushing it out again,” she said. “We all know that’s what’s going to happen anyway.”
Deacon said she recognizes that a lot of families and students “have had tremendous struggles” maneuvering the logistics of remote learning. Parents and guardians have expressed difficulty when it comes to juggling work and also helping students with school.
“We are always seeking alternatives to address individual needs,” Deacon said. “I continue to advocate for parents to contact the building administration, teachers, and or any other staff for additional help.”
Deacon said she is looking forward to the time when students, teachers and staff can be together in person at school again.
“I believe in in-person learning and look forward to the day we can fully open.”
For more information, visit leominsterschools.org and follow Leominster Public Schools on Facebook.