Superintendent's Update to SC 8.5.20

 Superintendent’s Report to the School Committee

August 5, 2020

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS (SIPs)

• “Regular” business of the district continues

• The District Strategy and Action Plan are in development

• Building level School Improvement Plans, Action Plans, and Needs Assessments

• SIPs will be presented at the September 9th School Committee Meeting

REOPENING FALL 2020

• Article in Commonwealth Magazine & Call with the Commissioner Monday, 8.3.20

• 90% of school districts hybrid or full in-person 

• There is a distinct possibility of additional federal monies that will have strings attached to hybrid or in-person learning

• If districts choose full remote - athletics are in jeopardy

• If districts choose full remote - DESE Board will be going out to districts and auditing - accountability

• Comprehensive Plan Submission

• Originally due August 10th

• Many, many districts have School Committee meetings scheduled for the 10th, 11th, 12th like we do

• For this reason the Commissioner was open to districts requesting an extension for submission until August 14th

• Our submitted request for the extension was approved by the Commissioner

• Time on Learning

• Typical Year/School Year 2020-2021

• Student Learning Time for Students = 180/170 days

• Structured Time on Learning Requirements

• 900/850 hours for elementary/middle school students

• 990/935 for high school students

• These additional days to provide sufficient training and preparation time for educators and staff prior to the start of the school year

• Must begin instruction to students no later than September 16, 2020 or apply for a waiver.

• Updated 20-21SY School Calendar/Early Release Days

• Substitute Data for the Fall

• August 3rd - Substitute Data

• At least seven more being hired - the pool is growing

• Updated Building Protocols

• Self-Certification Forms

• Swampscott Employee Log

• Swampscott Guest Log

• Finishing our School Department Safety Plan

• Reopening Plan Fall 2020

• The reopening of schools is complicated with many, many layers

• As I’ve said before - no two districts are alike

• We were directed by Jeffrey Riley, the Commissioner of Education at the Department of Elementary Education, on many conference calls NOT to release our plans until on or before August 10th.  

• Our district has followed that directive.

• Lots of meetings, lots of feedback from parents and families

• No plan is going to be perfect for all

• WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR STUDENTS?

• DATA? EQUITY? SOCIAL EMOTIONALLY?

• SPS Fall 2020 Reopening Plan