This is a question that Gorham, as well as many other school systems in our region, is struggling with right now. For “good” or for “bad” there is no question that there is mounting pressure to re-open schools right now even though our staff are not yet fully vaccinated, and the CDC safety guidelines for schools to remain open have not changed.
The Gorham school system, however, is embarking on an in-depth study of how Gorham might still be able to overcome these odds and potentially look to increase face-to-face instructional time for students.
On February 24, the School Committee (SC) tasked me with a homework assignment to come up with three scenarios that might allow us to increase face-to-face instruction time for students this spring.
Right now, we are looking at these scenarios: return K-8 to four-days-per-week learning, 9-12 will continue hybrid but bring A and B groups in on Friday mornings for additional face-to-face learning time; return K-5 to four-days-per-week learning and move 6-12 to five-days-per-week but release at 1 p.m. each day (this could vary a bit to say K-8 four days and 9-12 five days with release at 1 p.m.; return K-12 to four-days-per-week learning.)
Of course, the fourth option is to remain status quo. The biggest difference between the three scenarios and what we are doing now is that we would have to move to the three feet of physical distance vs the six feet we currently have. This is still within the parameters of MDOE and CDC rules.
Additionally, if we made any of these moves more parents would have to find ways to transport their children to and from school as our buses would not be able to double capacities since safety rules there have not changed, and we are still limited to one student per seat on the bus.
I have been working with District Leadership Team members and with other committees that involve teachers, nurses, social workers, and others from across the district on this homework assignment. Our building leaders are even working to “stage” some classrooms to see how many students can safely fit in classrooms using different configurations and what traffic flow might look like in various areas.
I want to be clear that just because we are investigating these potential changes, it does not mean we will implement any changes this spring. The SC is going to have to weigh many different factors ultimately to determine the appropriate direction for us to take in the best interest of the district.
Although what we have been doing has been awesome, I think it is safe to say that we are all getting tired and frustrated and are feeling as though children simply need to be back in school more.
When we constantly ask ourselves the question: “What is best for children”… and we broaden that view to include what is best for their families and our community right now … if we can increase face-to-face time, we probably ought to look at how we can do so safely. So, look we will.
The reality is we are going to have to find a way to open our schools for five-days-per-week next fall, and if we know we are going to have to do that, shouldn’t we try to figure out how now and “practice” this spring while we have strong relationships built with existing students and families that will allow us to work through the “kinks” of what we all know will be a difficult task?
As we look at these ideas, I will keep you informed. We will seek to engage parents, staff, students and our medical advisors in these important discussions, and ultimately, we will advocate for what we all collectively feel is best for the students and staff of Gorham.
Whatever decisions are made will be made with two key focus points at the forefront of all that we do. The first is to continue to ensure the safety of our staff and students. The second is to make sure whatever is done, special focus will remain on meeting the social/emotional needs of our children, staff, and families over other needs.
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WHAT CHANGES WHEN YOU BECOME VACCINATED?
As Gorham Schools gain more staff who have become fully vaccinated, more questions are being asked about what being vaccinated means in terms of following safety protocols, quarantines, close contacts, and all the other wonderful new vocabulary we have learned over the past year. • All staff who experience Covid-like symptoms will continue to follow the protocol in the handbook, regardless of vaccination status. • All staff, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to wear face coverings in all public places, as per Gov. Janet Mills’s order. • All staff, regardless of vaccination status, should continue to practice social distancing and hand hygiene in the school setting. • Staff who are asymptomatic, have been fully vaccinated, and are more than 14 days out from last vaccine will not be required to quarantine if they are a close contact of someone with Covid-19. • Staff who are fully vaccinated and are more than 14 days out from last vaccine and who travel within the U.S. will not be required to test or quarantine when they return home. |