This model creates three groupings: PK-K, Grades 1-4, and Grades 5-8. Within each grade level, students will be divided into smaller cohorts of roughly 8-13 students.
Grades 1-4 cohorts and Grades 5-8 cohorts will alternate a week of in-person learning at school with a week of remote learning.
Given that early elementary learners developmentally struggle the most with remote learning, the Pre Kindergarten, TK, and Kindergarten cohorts will attend school in-person Monday-Friday every week.
We will share the schedule so parents will know when Grades 1-4 will be in the building (“A” weeks) vs when Grades 5-8 will be (“B” weeks), and what a sample in-person and remote week schedule will look like.
Families who require remote only instruction will be assigned to a cohort and will learn remotely during their cohort’s weeks in the building via Zoom and the Owl Cameras technology, paired with follow-up from cohort teachers, learning specialists, and when possible staff buddies assigned to families.
We understand that some families may have health-related family issues or safety concerns related to attending in person. We have surveyed families asking if they plan to start the school in the Hybrid model or completely remote. Remote students will attend the “in-person” weeks via Zoom and Owl Cameras. They will be paired with cohort teachers, learning specialists and, when possible, staff buddies.
The Fayerweather policy is that we are not giving parents a back and forth choice between hybrid and remote learning. Parents have to choose either Hybrid or Remote learning options. Of course, if a child is sick or needs to quarantine, this presents other considerations and remote learning will be available.
Why? The enormous preparation and planning it takes to effectuate both models makes it difficult to be flexible. Teaching students remotely, during in-person weeks, will take some extra follow up from the learning specialists to make sure that students are effectively engaging in their learning. Learning during in-person weeks requires the appropriate spacing and adherence to health protocols that each staff and student will be closely following. Each scenario requires significant planning, support, and preparation.
If parents decide to switch from one model to another (Remote or Hybrid), the school will need up to one month to adequately plan for this transition so that we are meeting the needs of students and staff.
Teachers form cohorts based on grade level, as well as the same factors used in creating full classes, such as supportive and inclusive friendships, learning needs, and group dynamics. Parent input is valued, though final placement decisions are made in collaboration with teachers and administrators.
We are looking at ways to provide whole group, mixed grade experiences; for example, leveraging outdoor spaces as we consider group socialization activities and via technology in remote weeks. We will not mix groups inside the building.
Specials are a crucial mission-driven aspect of the Fayerweather educational experience. Specialists will join a cohort for an intensive extended period of time (4-6 weeks) giving those students an immersive experience with that special. They will share their lessons with the other cohorts of that grade group. While this model would not allow each grade to take the same variety of specials over the course of the year, they should get a deeper experience with the ones offered. Specialists will supplement the learning experiences of other grades through technology. Students will not share equipment, instruments, or supplies and all materials will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before the specialist transitions to the next cohort.
In response to the unusual circumstances of this pandemic, cohorts will be almost always single grade. Each cohort of 8-13 students will have one in-person teacher with them, along with a specialist or other assigned staff member to support teachers and students. Teaching teams are looking at ways to support mixed grade groupings with their non-cohort teacher during remote weeks via Zoom or other technology.
We hope that cohorts will create a bond and help support each other with learning, socializing, and families’ needs (such as carpool and childcare). We are working with the Parent Association to adapt the Class Reps program, and hope that they will be inclusive groups for all students and families. If you’re interested in being a rep for your cohort, please contact PA Co-Chairs Erin McLaughlin and Farley Urmston.
Yes, school will begin at 8:30am for PK-6, and 8:15am for the Unit. Classrooms will be open at 8:15am for PK-6, and 8:05am for the Unit. The school day for PreK-K classes ends at 3:00pm. Additionally, every Friday, regardless of in-person or remote, is a half-day to allow for teacher planning and meeting time.
We are starting school using the Hybrid Learning Model. We will remain using that until we are further informed by the state, DESE, and the CDC. That information will help us to determine our transition to Scenario 3: Remote Learning. We are closely monitoring infection rates, cases, and guidance from medical experts, Boards of Health, the state, DESE, and the CDC and may pivot to remote before instructed to as we did in March.
While our teachers quickly pivoted to remote learning, there was not the time they usually have to create a new curriculum. Grade level teams have been pursuing professional development and planning all summer. Additionally we have new and improved technology including chromebooks, iPads, and the OWL Cameras to assist with remote learning. We are working to create a stronger learning experience for students based in a consistent structure, engaging projects, more opportunities for collaboration between students, and the need for strong social emotional support and connection.
Until further notice, we cannot accommodate parents and visitors in the building, so all morning drop-off and afternoon dismissal will need to be via car lines at the front driveway and Spinelli side of the building. Those procedures will be covered in full in the Parent Handbook. As students arrive, parents will need to stay in the carpool line while we confirm the family has performed the symptom screening on the Magnus health app.
FSS has partnered with Magnus Health and will be asking parents to download an App that will assist families in a daily assessment of their children’s health. This information will be shared with Nick, our health professional. This will assess students’ health and provide guidance on staying home or seeking medical advice or testing before returning to school. We all must take responsibility to be honest, accurate, and careful about reporting and staying home if we suspect or have any illness, including Covid-19.
Additionally, before the start of the 2020-2021 school year, you are required to provide the following documentation for your child(ren) by Friday, August 15, 2020. These policies will be strictly implemented this year.
Fayerweather requires mask/face coverings that cover the nose and mouth for all grades. Students with medical, behavioral, or other challenges who are unable to wear masks/face coverings may under certain but not all circumstances have the option of wearing a face shield, but we prefer their families choose for them to participate in fully remote learning instead. We are committed to everyone on campus wearing masks at all times, excluding masks breaks, and will be guiding and supporting our students as they adapt to wearing them.
We will be using state and federal guidelines to set up the classroom environment as safely as possible and using the student cohort model so that students may safely engage with others in their cohort. We are also working to create short, fun PSA videos on social distancing, personal hygiene, and other safety measures for families to watch and practice before classes begin.
Staff will ensure students follow the appropriate guidelines and capacity limits while visiting the restroom. Hand washing will be stressed. Bathrooms will be cleaned throughout the day and disinfected each night.
The single most important thing to do if any symptoms are present is to STAY HOME.Our collective health relies, in part, on individual attention and responsibility. Note that some symptoms of COVID-19 are the same as the flu or a bad cold; please do not assume it is another condition. We encourage any family who is in doubt, to STAY HOME.
The quick reference sheet in our Health and Safety Addendum (pages 7-12) outlines key actions when responding to a COVID-19 event.
Should you choose to travel to congested areas and/or places with widespread, ongoing, community transmission of COVID-19 prior to the start of school, you could be subjected to a 14-day quarantine before entering the building. Please also refer to the Massachusetts state travel guidelines. If you have questions about your travel plans, please contact Nick Shostak, School Nurse.
Please go through the Spinelli drop-off with your older child and then you can park and bring your PK or K student to their tent meeting spot. You can also drop-off both in the Spinelli drop-off line if your PK/K student is ready to walk to their tent by themselves.
The first time you have to access your account through the Magnus portal in MyFSS under “Resources.” Once you click through that link, you can set up the username and password you’ll use for the App. After you have done that, please download the Magnus App on your phone and complete the daily COVID-19 screening by 7:30am each morning you’re bringing your student to school. Click here for an instructional guide.
If you don’t have time to return home to take your student’s temperature, you will need to check-in at school. They will let you know where to park to complete the screening and will have a thermometer if needed.
If your child is sick or not attending school, please email frontdesk@fayerweather.org or call the front desk by 7:30 am. If you received the “STOP” on the Magnus App COVID-19 daily screening, please inform Nick and follow the directions on the app in in the Health & Safety Protocol Addendum, pages 7-8.