THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, July 31, 2020 Page 11 SCHOOL | FROM PAGE 1 compromise between a complete return to classes every day and classes being conducted exclusively through remote learning. “With only half of our student population into our school buildings at a time, the district dramatically increases its capacity for social and physical distancing,” DeRuosi wrote in his plan. “This allows more opportunities to space students six (or more) feet apart. This should provide more opportunities for safe mask breaks (particularly at elementary). It also provides additional spacing for other essential activities such as lunch and school entry/exit.” School officials have until Aug. 10 to submit their fi nal reopening plans to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. “While the district is working hard to prepare for the return of school in Fall 2020, we acknowledge that there is still a great deal of uncertainty,” DeRuosi wrote in his report. “The process of reopening must always incorporate and respond to the most up-to-date local and national health data. The district must work to comply with regulation and guidance from local, state, and federal agencies. All of this requires patience and fl exibility on the part of all involved.” There has been some criticism expressed by parents in recent months that remote learning has weakened the overall quality of education that students would receive in a normal classroom setting. “My concern about the school plan was fi nding a way to prevent remote kids from falling behind,” School Committee Chair Thomas Whittredge told The Saugus Advocate. “I think the Superintendent and his team have done a phenomenal job covering the needs of every student. Obviously, I would love for everyone to come back full force,” Whittredge said. “We have to be smart about it and fi nd the safest and healthiest way to educate our kids. DESE’s guidelines change daily. All we can do is change with them,” he said. “Remote and hybrid are inconvenient for everyone, but given the circumstances, opening with the hybrid gives us the best chance to work towards eventually coming back full-time.” School Committee Member Dennis Gould stressed that most school administration, teachers and School Committee members prefer to see students return to a safe classroom environment as soon as possible. “The hybrid solution accomplishes that and gives us the best chance of properly socially distancing, while still getting all students the personal interaction with their teachers,” Gould said. He noted that committee members are sympathetic to parents, teachers and administrators with families, because of the challenges they face with child care and transportation. “The key for our district is to be ready for alternatives, have remote learning ready and hope that by midwinter maybe things could change enough to get back to a more normal school week,” Gould said. “We also know how important it is for the students to get back to school. We watched our children and grandchildren at the end of last year, and the struggles they had with remote learning, the lack of personal interaction with their beloved teachers and the impact it had on them.” School Committee Vice Chair Ryan Fisher noted a number of advantages to the hybrid reopening model, particularly putting students back in front of their teachers. “It makes remote learning better by providing that regular structure and support during the school week, and it gives parents the ability to opt for full remote learning if that works best for their family,” Fisher said. “It limits class sizes, improves social distancing and helps reduce the risk of Covid-19 spread far more than if we swung the doors open,” he said. “What it doesn't do is satisfy all scenarios. Some families believe the risk of Covid-19 spread is minor and their children desperately need an inperson education, five days per week,” he said. “Some are struggling financially in the pandemic and can’t work if their children are learning remotely. Parents and teachers who have been cautious about limiting their own exposure these last few months are worried about those who will be around them. Will they get sick or infect a loved one at risk? These concerns are valid and contradictory.” But Fisher said he believes the “hybrid” model will improve the level of education the school district is providing while also protecting staff and students who are vulnerable. • • •
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