Newton Schools Prepare Plans To Open With Tents
NEWTON, MA — Although Newton officials don't know exactly what the first day of school will look like just yet, expect tents. Throughout the coming month, some 38 open-air tents will go up outside Newton's 22 schools in an effort to add safe space for in person learning come September, should that happen.
Still, according to the district, because of guidance from the state and local health officials and space constraints, Newton Schools won't be able to open in September using the full in-person model. Superintendent David Fleishman told families that didn't rule out full in-person learning later in the school year, it just meant the district was only considering a hybrid model or a fully remote learning model to open.
Read more: Newton Coronavirus Numbers Go Up Slightly
Officials are still are working on three models to present to the state, per the state plan requirement. Officials said developing a strong distance learning model was a priority to help support families who couldn't send their children to school at all and in the event something shifts throughout the year and the district needs to adjust.
Still, the district won't decide on which school model it will choose to use on day one, until early to mid August.
"Regardless of the model we're in in the fall, coming back to school is going to be stressful," said Fleishman during one of three updates to families, noting that six months out of school is a long time. Fleishman said there have been several teams working to address aspects of a return to school, including the emotional impacts of being away for so long.
The tents are part of the developing plans.
District officials said a number of parents had asked them, upon hearing of space constraints inside the buildings, whether Newton had considered holding classes out of doors. During three zoom updates to the community on the plans last week, during which some 3,000 people logged on, Newton Education center staff said they had, and that they were recommending the tents be a part of the plan.
During the meetings district officials outlined the guidelines under which they were working including physical distancing, face covering, hygiene and avoiding exposure to illness.
Early this summer the district sent out a survey, 70 percent of families responded, according to Fleishman.
"What we learned in Newton, is that a majority prefer their students going a couple of days a week versus five days on and five days off," said Fleishman.
Some 63 percent of respondents said they prefer a two day week, while only 26 percent indicated they preferred a model where students came to in-person school only every other week. Fleishman stressed the district is still considering what to do.
"We need to be really flexible, look at public health data," he said.
Fleishman also said he's working with after school providers and agencies to figure out options for child care during the day for families.
Previously:
Newton Schools Prepare Plans To Open In September
Resources:
Watch the Elementary school video presentation:
The latest NPS information about plans for opening school can be found here.
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This article originally appeared on the Newton Patch
