Burlington School Committee opts for hybrid back to school model

The Burlington School Committee voted Aug. 10 to send students back to school next month with a combination of remote and in person learning.

Superintendent Eric Conti stated it was necessary to vote on a plan in order to meet a state deadline, but the plan could and would change as the state’s coronavirus data indicates.

Although teachers and most parents who spoke during the meeting asked the committee to keep students home for safety reasons, the plan was supported 4-1, with only Carl Foss voting against it.

“This is just a moment in time,” Conti said after the vote. “This is a decision that allows us to prepare for an in-person return. We will continue to listen and make the best decisions for the kids in the fall.”

Why hybrid?

Conti said families could opt to keep students learning remotely, and students who struggle with remote learning would have an in-person experience. Teacher-student relationships would start in-person in case school buildings are closed again, he said. Additionally, the schedule can be expanded to include more in-person learning or switched to remote as needed.

Conti said the plan was guided by these principles:

• Social-emotional and physical wellness of students and staff take precedence

• Acknowledgement that remote learning cannot replicate students’ in-school experiences

• Independent learners will suffer fewer negative impacts from remote learning

• Students who require support to reenter school will have a plan to meet their needs

• The district will prepare to move to a fully remote model, should it become necessary to close buildings again.

Reopening plan

Teachers will undergo safety and protocol training Aug. 24 through 28, and set up their classrooms on Aug. 31. Professional development, transportation training, remote teacher and class introductions and some in-person instruction for identified students will occur Sept. 1 through Sept 8, with schools closed on Friday, Sept. 4.

Sept. 10 will be the first day for in-person teaching for grades 1 through 6 and 9, and the first day for remote teaching for grades 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12.

Sept. 14 will be the first day for early education and kindergarten.

The hybrid plan

The school day will have the same structure, whether students are learning in-person or at home. Attendance will be taken and course work will be graded. Teachers will be required to communicate regularly with parents and guardians.

Students who opt for fully remote learning will have access to programs and courses administered through the state.

Safety measures

Everyone, including kindergarten and first grade students, will be required to wear masks, and “mask breaks” will be built into the school day. Additionally, 6 feet of physical distancing will be the priority. Barriers will be used in some cases, to protect staff who interact with many people. Conti stated the district currently has enough personal protective equipment for staff for the first 12 weeks of school. Parents will be expected to provide masks for students.

Planning will continue through the summer, particularly in the areas of transportation, pick up and drop off and how students and staff move around the buildings, he said. Air quality and HVAC systems will be evaluated.

Teachers, parents express concern

Diana Marcus, president of the Burlington Educator’s Association, said while teachers were eager to resume in-person learning, they did not feel safe returning to the classroom. She, and other teachers calling into the Zoom meeting, asked for a remote start to the school year.

“Our hearts want nothing more than to be back in the classroom, but our heads know we can’t do that right now. The most important job is to keep [students] safe in all the senses of the word,” she said.

Julia Carey questioned the building’s air quality: “The viral load of younger students is massive. We don’t have enough information if the virus is transmitted in the air. There is deadly potential for exposure.”

Steve Perry, the husband of a teacher and father of a child in the district said there was no perfect option, but the risk was too great to return to in-person learning.

“In person activity increases the risk of severe illness or death and there is no going back on death; one is too many,” he said. “Shutting down the schools if it spreads implies it is too late.”

Parent Kelly Tchorz, on the other hand, said it was important to send students back to school. “People can’t afford to keep their children home. We should be able to make the choice to send them in person or not.”

Committee discussion

Committee member Tom Murphy said the decision wasn’t easy, but voted to support the hybrid model.

“Everyone is fully aware of what this disease has done over the past months. Nobody wants to put someone’s health and safety at risk. There is also quite a bit of data on children who don’t appear at school and what that does. A lot of parents who have bills to pay – that plays into their situation as well. There is risk no matter what direction it goes in,” he said.

Carl Foss called for “erring on the side of caution,” and starting remotely. “Even if our numbers are lower, we don’t live in a bubble. People are coming in and out and that contributes to the spread.”

Martha Simon said, “We don’t live in a bubble but the numbers now, I can support getting as many kids in the buildings as we can, with safety. If the numbers look different in four weeks, I’d request another vote.”

Katherine Bond said, “We will watch the numbers very carefully. If it starts back on an upswing, we will be in a hybrid situation and people will be better equipped to go back to full remote if we are practicing it all along.”

Committee Chair Christine Monaco spoke about students who don’t do well with remote learning. “They have suffered since March, not having classes. There have been serious issues with kids not in school. I hope people will take social distancing and masks seriously. We need to get back to school."