BACK TO SCHOOL
Troy City School District releases reopening plan
TROY, N.Y. » The reopening plan the Troy City School District submitted to the New York State Education Department includes a daily in-person instruction model for elementary students with a hybrid in-person/remote learning model for secondary students.
Additionally, the district is providing all parents the option to choose remote-only learning. This option is available for all students at every level.
Officials said the reopening plan was developed based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), and the New York State Education Department ( NYSED). It includes protocols based on input from stakeholders at every level and area of the district and incorporates the responses from staff and parent surveys.
“We understand that the decisions that are made impact students, their families, and our employees, and we have done our best to incorporate all the feedback we received during this process, while adhering to the strict guidelines we were presented with,” Superintendent John Carmello explained.
“At this time, with all the safety protocols and social distancing requirements, we simply cannot bring all students back on a daily basis,” Carmello noted.
“We have developed a plan that we are confident addresses the needs of our students, and prioritizes in- person, full- time instruction for those groups identified as needing the most support, while ensuring a high- quality instructional program for every
"At this time, with all the safety protocols and social distancing requirements, we simply cannot bring all students back on a daily basis." — John Carmello, Troy City School District Superintendent
one, whether a student is in- person or learning virtually,” Carmello added.
The plan includes policies and procedures for maintaining social distancing of all students, faculty, and staff when on school facilities, grounds, and buses. Students will receive daily temperature checks and screenings upon arrival and will be expected to wear face coverings at all times when social distancing is not possible.
Additional cleaning and disinfection of facilities will occur, with special attention to high-risk and frequently touched surfaces.
The plan emphasizes the importance of additional mental health and socialemotional supports, as the pandemic and subsequent school closure has been particularly challenging for young people.
School meals will continue to be available to all students, including those attending school in- person and those learning remotely.
Listed below is the Troy CSD reopen plan for respective grade levels, as well as for in-person and remote:
In- Person Instruction Grades Pre-K - 5:
• Grades Pre-K - 5 will have daily in- person instruction. Students will stay in the same room throughout the day, with the same students. Specials such as art and music will be taught in the same classroom. The district said they will make every effort to limit class sizes to no more than 15 students. Students will wear masks throughout the day when social distancing is not possible.
In- Person Instruction Grades 6 - 12:
• Grades 6 - 12 will receive a hybrid version of both in-person and at-home instruction to reduce capacity in our buildings. On the at-home days, students will participate in daily instruction in real-time with their teacher via webcam and will have the ability to interact with their peers. The schedule will alternate two consecutive days in-person followed by two consecutive days of virtual instruction. The district will make every effort to limit in-person class sizes to no more than 15 students. Students will wear masks throughout the day when social distancing is not possible.
Remote ONLY Learning Grades K - 12:
• Students will participate in daily instruction with a certified teacher via webcam and will have the ability to interact with their peers. This model looks different than the virtual instruction students participated in this past spring when buildings were shut down. With this model, students will receive a set schedule and will be required to be present, on-camera at set times. Chromebooks are available for any student that needs a device.
Parents will be asked to formally request either the in-person or remote- only learning model for their child. Additionally, they will be asked to inform the district of their transportation plans. Due to reduced capacity, the District is encouraging families to seek alternative modes of transportation where possible.
The district acknowledges and is planning for the possibility that it may need to alternate between in- person and complete virtual learning throughout the year due to recommendations and guidance from partnering agencies, and orders from the governor.
“This is going to be a very different start to the school year and it will take some getting used to for students and staff alike,” Carmello remarked.
“We are looking forward to seeing everyone, and to working together to ensure that every student receives the high-quality education that they have come to expect from the Troy City School District,” Carmello added.
The district will host a virtual panel discussion via Google Meet on Thursday, Aug. 6, at 6 p.m. The public is invited to submit questions for the panel by emailing covid19@troycsd.org.