THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021 Page 9 BACK IN SCHOOL | FROM PAGE 1 Cohorts as an answer to COVID-19 Meanwhile, Saugus Public Schools has embarked on a plan for getting students back into the classroom – but in smaller groups called cohorts. The district is well prepared for how cohorts will operate. Students – across all elementary schools – are split into cohorts A and B for “in person” learning, and there is a cohort of students who have elected to remain fully remote, according to Lynnhurst Elementary School Principal Michael Mondello. Cohort A students will be “in person” on Tuesday and Thursday. Cohort B students will be “in person” on Wednesday and Friday. All students who are learning remotely will acStaff welcome their students back to school. Shown in the bottom row, from left to right, are Principal Patti Romano, third grade teachers Jennifer Nicolo and Jessica Logrippo and first grade teachers Ashley Giuffrida and Allie Grossman. Shown in the top row, from left to right, are secretary Shannon Burke, second grade teacher Catherine Fish, fifth grade teacher Linda Gauthier, paraprofessional Mary Pierce, fifth grader Marissa Perino, second grader Julie Serino and kindergarten teacher Julie Covey. Missing from photo are fourth grade teacher Brigitte Vaudo, special education teacher Lorraine Devine, school adjustment counselor Janee Tichy and school nurse Erin LeDrew. Principal Patricia Romano elbow bumped third grader Riley Anderson outside of Douglas Waybright School on Thursday. First grader Maryam Badda was all smiles. Shown from left to right are school nurse Erin LeDrew and custodian Elizabeth Polanco setting up balloons in the lobby before school opens early Thursday morning. cess their classroom, each day, through Google Meet, and will learn synchronously from home. Students will go home on their “in person” days with a grab-and-go lunch, and then all students will log back into their classroom for a fully remote afternoon session between 1:30 and 2 p.m. About 75 percent of students, or 200, will return to in-person learning with 25 percent, or 70 students, opting to remain fully remote at home, Mondello wrote in an email Wednesday. At Oaklandvale Elementary School, according to Interim Principal Maureen Lueke, 147 students chose to return to school while 87 will remain remote. A challenge that Lueke anticipates is helping children to return to their routine and to be comfortable with pandemic protocols. However, at long last, a reunion is in store. “The kids and teachers will be happy to finally see each other in person,” Lueke said Wednesday in a telephone interview. Principals focused on Hybrid model As to how Lueke feels about the State Education Commissioner’s goal to have all grade school students in person five days/week by April, she said it requires everyone to be flexible and supportive, but that it’s premature to plan. Mondello echoed a similar sentiment. “The easiest part for us will be to remember why we teach and to welcome the students back into our classrooms with a smile and with enthusiasm after being apart for so long,” Mondello said excitingly. As far as how he feels about the State Education Commissioner’s goal to have all grade school students in person five days/week by April, Mondello said they are focused on what they can control, which is bringing students back in a hybrid model, ensuring they feel safe and supported, and delivering a high-quality model of instruction for all learners. At Waybright Elementary School, 134 students, or 72 percent of the student body, will be returning in person while 75 pupils chose to stay at home. The district asked parents in a winter survey which option they prefer. According to Waybright Principal Patricia Romano, students had a grin from ear-toear when they were in the Fifth grader Anthony Fraser showed off in his new backpack inside the school. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) building for English Language Learner testing. “Children learn best by being in school,” Romano said Wednesday in a telephone interview. “We’re all so excited.” The biggest challenge that Romano anticipates is staffing during the COVID-19 vaccination period since teachers may feel ill after receiving the shot. She may have to remote some classes in April, depending on the severity of symptoms. As to how she feels about the State Education Commissioner’s goal to have all grade school students in person five days/week by April, Romano said she’d love for that to happen but realizes it does pose some challenges. She is attending a meeting next week regarding the matter. Romano thanked staff, specialists and food workers for their teamwork during remote learning, and she predicts a smooth transition to hybrid learning.
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