​A Message from Alicia

There have been some significant new developments from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. On Friday, March 5, the Commissioner was granted the authority to determine when hybrid and remote learning models will no longer count toward meeting the required student learning time hours. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education adopted the amendments which will result in some changes to our learning models. 

Yesterday the Commissioner sent out a memo outlining additional guidance for in-person learning requirements and included the following phased in approach:

• Elementary school (Grades K-5): Districts and schools will shift their learning model for elementary school grade levels to full-time, in-person instruction five days per week effective Monday, April 5, 2021.
• Middle school (Grades 6-8): Districts and schools will shift their learning model for middle school grade levels to full-time, in-person instruction five days per week, effective Wednesday, April 28, 2021.
• High school (Grades 9-12): DESE will announce the details and timing of the high school phase of the plan in April. 

In September the South Shore Charter School implemented full in-person learning for all students in grades K-1. Students in grade 2 were given the opportunity to begin full in-person learning on March 1. We will be implementing full in-person learning options for students in grades 3-5 on Monday, April 5 and full in-person options for students in grades 6-8 on Wednesday, April 28.

In order to accommodate these new mandates, DESE has changed the physical distancing recommendation from 3-6 feet to 3 feet. All other health and safety protocols remain in place, including mask wearing and hand hygiene.

Families will retain the right to choose full remote learning for their child for the remainder of the school year. Should individual students or whole classes need to quarantine for COVID-19 health and safety protocols, remote learning will remain an option. 

Included below is a timeline, subject to change, which reflects our school's current state of planning for the upcoming learning transitions.

Learning Model Planning Timeline

• September 2020-June 2021: K-1 Students full in-person
• March 1, 2021: Grade 2 Students full in-person
• March 3, 2021: SSCPS Board of Trustees, Executive Committee Meeting review of DESE intent to return to full in-person learning for students in grades K-5
• March 4 - 17, 2021: Building and learning spaces capacity review. 
• March 5, 2021: Faculty and staff review and planning for DESE intent to return to full in-person learning
• March 8, 2021: Communication to SSCPS families for COVID-19 Pooled Testing
• March 15 - 19, 2021: Family surveys for additional data collection
• March 15, 2021: Implementation of the COVID-19 Pooled Testing Program
• March 24 - 30, 2021: Family information sessions for guidance on new learning models
• April 5, 2021: Implement in-person return for students in grades 3-5
• April 7, 2021: SSCPS Board of Trustees Executive Committee Meeting
• April 15, 2021: SSCPS Board of Trustees Meeting
• April 28, 2021: Implement in-person learning return for students in grades 6-8
• April 2021: DESE issues guidance for high school in-person learning return

We will be scheduling informational Zoom meetings for families beginning March 24, 2021. Additionally, we will be sending out family surveys next week so that we can plan learning spaces  the most effective way possible. 

Please check your email for further information as it becomes available. We will be keeping families up to date as we receive more information from DESE. 

Thank you for your ongoing flexibility and patience as this year progresses. 

Alicia Savage
Executive Director
South Shore Charter Public School