Guidelines have some districts opting out of summer school
Districts that want to run in-person summer school programs during the coronavirus pandemic have until June 15 to tell the state if they are willing to abide by a long list of guidelines that dictate everything from group sizes to restroom usage. Many are taking a wait-and-see approach. “I need to read the guidelines to see if we can do it effectively,” Bridgeport Acting Schools Superintendent Michael Testani said on Tuesday.
Others have decided to take a a pass.
In a letter sent home to parents on Tuesday, Milford Schools Superintendent Anna Cutaia said with the safety of students in mind, the district will continue with remote learning for both special education students who follow an extended school schedule and high school students who are making up course work or taking Advanced Placement preparation courses.
“We will not have remote learning for elementary summer school,” Cutaia added. “We hope this gives our youngest learners and their families opportunities to engage in summer activities while we prepare for the changing face of schooling for 20-21.”
Shelton also is going to keep it virtual.
Acting Schools Superintendent Beth Smith said after reviewing draft rules from the state, the summer school administrative team and health officials concluded that a virtual extended school year and credit recovery program were the safest options for the health and well-being of students and staff.
“The summer school administrative team will continue developing a distance learning summer school plan, hiring staff and developing class lists,” Smith said.
Official guidance from the State Department of Education on Tuesday says summer programs can open on July 6.
Some summer camp programs can open even sooner.
The opening plans were developed with input from a committee made up of teachers, students, superintendents, health officials and other state officials.
They called the recommendations a road map that will allow students limited and safe summer school access while districts ease back into on-site instruction.
“Schools should be flexible and plan contingencies related to programming as well as remain aware of any further executive orders or public health and safety restrictions that change the approach to resuming limited in-school summer classes,” according to the directives.
Late last month, school superintendents got a sneak peak at the guidelines.
The detailed directive released on Tuesday gets into specifics on what conditions must be met for opening programs, testing, cleaning protocols and instruction.
Districts must fill out a checklist acknowledging how their programs will run.
According to the directive, there would be daily screenings of participants. Class sizes can have no more than 10 students, smaller if students are receiving special education. Desks have to be spread 6 feet apart. Students and staff must both wear masks with certain exceptions and not share books, computers, writing utensils or art supplies.
No two individuals should use the same materials in the same school day. There can be no visitors. Lunches will no longer be eaten on site but carried home with students.
There needs to be a nurse at each site and someone district wide designated as a “COVID-19 Health & Safety Compliance Liaison.”
Cleaning protocols require restrooms to be sanitized at least twice a day. Students who are bused would also need to be spaced apart.
At a meeting with school board members on Monday, Testani said he had already decided that the restrictions were such that the district was planning to remotely offer the early reading success program, traditionally offered for early elementary students who struggle with reading, as well as high school credit recovery programs.
The jury remains out on the extended year program for special education students.
Meanwhile, state approval has been given for Bridgeport to open a summer Lighthouse camp program in 21 schools.
Even so, Tammy Papa, who runs the program said no formal decision has been made as to whether the programming would be in person or virtual.
“We continue to register families as if the program will be held in person and will make a final decision this week,” Papa said.
Papa said all proper guidelines will be followed to ensure the safety of children,but that ultimately parents need to decide for themselves what is best for their families.