Officially Hybrid

 Last night the school board met to vote on the school's reopening plan. It was officially decided that we would start with a hybrid plan. 

What does that mean for Talbot families?

1) The first student day is September 14

2) Students will be split into 2 cohorts (A and B). Schools are working hard to ensure that families are in the same cohort across different schools. You should be getting cohort information soon. Schools are finalizing it and making sure we know who is remote and who is in person.

3) Cohort A will be in the building on Mondays and Thursdays. Cohort B will be in the building on Tuesdays and Fridays. Everyone will be remote on Wednesdays.

4) The school day will be from 7:45-12:30. Be aware that bus times will be varied. Some students will be at school prior to the school day, and some will be there after the end to accommodate safe transportation.

5) There will be a shortened 'run through' day for each cohort of students on the 9th and 10th. We will be starting at the same time as we will after the 14th but students will leave at 10:30. It is a chance to practice the new procedures, and do a run through for transportation. This way we can adjust and improve so we do it right.

6) You can call Talbot, 874-8210, or the language helpline, 874-8159, if you have any questions that I can't answer.

While the virus scares me, and I want us all to be safe. I am excited to be with my students. 

 Well here we are, one full week into August! I feel like the summer just started. 

Here is how things stand right now with the opening of school:

• The school board has to approve the current plan, and they will vote on August 18.
• Under the proposed plan
• The first student day would be September 14, but there will be the ability for students to experience what the school will be like prior to that. I am not sure what that will look like or what the schedule is at this time. 
• Students would be split into 2 groups A and B. Group A would attend school in person on Mondays and Thursdays. Group B would attend on Tuesdays and Fridays. The other three days of the week for both groups would be remote learning. 
• The school day will be shorter. At Talbot that will mean that school starts at 7:45 and ends at 12:30 for students attending in person. I believe that this shortened day will continue once we are in person 5 days per week. 
• The plan is set to be in place until the end of the first trimester (ends the week of Thanksgiving), but could change depending on the status of the pandemic. 
• The district is hoping to have elementary students in school 5 days per week by the middle of October.
• Families are allowed to opt out of in person learning and learn remotely but they have to commit to remote learning for the entire trimester. 

So even though we know more there are still lots of unanswered questions. I will update when I can. 

Green means go?

Many of you heard the news that on Friday the Department of Education classified Cumberland County as Green. This means that if school districts have the ability to follow the CDC guidelines for in person learning, they can open up. Individual districts are allowed to choose their opening plan for themselves. Our district hasn't decided yet what that will be, we will find out closer to the beginning of the school year.

One thing I know for sure is that school will look different this year. If we are in person, the school day will be shorter, everyone will be expected to wear masks at all time (except when eating, and there will be limited opportunity for that), students are expected to stay 3 feet away from each other, 6 feet while eating, and adults are required to maintain a distance of 6 feet from other people. Students and teachers will be required to check their temperatures at home before coming to school, and will be expected to stay home if sick. We will all be expected to wash our hands frequently. We will not be able to share items, supplies, food, pretty much anything. These restrictions will be challenging for all of us. I believe that we can make it work.

The upcoming school year will have challenges. It is unlikely to be consistent, we could go from in person to remote at any time if people get sick. We need to work together, be kind to each other, and take care of ourselves to make it work. I believe we have the best community in this city and that we can do this.