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Dear SSCPS Families, This week our school community welcomed the return to hybrid and in-person learning. Kindergarten and first grade students have returned to learn in person for both A and B weeks. Our first and second graders will continue to travel to Holly Hill Farm, which classes did even when our school buildings were closed. Students in grades 2-12 have resumed learning within multiple models, full remote, hybrid, and some full in-person. The high school tent, fully installed one day before our transition to full remote, has been put up again and will now be put to use. Although we are relieved to be returning to more in-person learning, there are concerns regarding the working conditions for our faculty and staff members. The amount of planning time that is required for effective teaching, and the continual transitions of methodology using both learning models has been onerous for our teachers. Within the hybrid model teachers have to accomplish multiple tasks on numerous platforms, using applied technologies to three different audiences. The School has been happy to accommodate the many needs of our families during the pandemic, and teachers have been exceedingly flexible. Yet the arduous tasks associated with hybrid learning, having to teach both in-person and remotely at the same time, require planning to be effective. Teachers have been devoting non-teaching time, time after hours, and their own time in the evenings, to honing their online teaching skills. Sustainability concerns of our faculty and staff are now on the forefront. Last week the Elementary, Middle, and High School Instructional Task Force teams met to address these concerns and make recommendations. Recommendations include some schedule changes that would allow for a more seamless transition from in-person to remote learning and one remote day per week that would allow teachers professional development time to plan curriculum and hybrid methodology. The South Shore Charter Public School Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the recommendations at the November meeting last evening. I would like to thank our Board members and all parents in our school community who participated in this important discussion. The changes to the FY 21 school calendar are as follows: Full remote learning one day per week beginning on Friday, November 20. Classes on full remote learning days would occur for all students K-12 from 8:15am - 12:05pm. Two hours of professional development, curriculum and lesson planning, and level meetings would follow for teachers. Full Remote Learning Days 2020
Full Remote Learning Days 2021 (All Friday)
*Parent/teacher conferences 1:00-3:00pm The new calendar and student schedules will take effect on Monday, November 16. This means that Friday, November 20 will be a day of full remote learning for all students. If your child is on a level that requires some schedule changes, the modified schedule will be sent this afternoon. Thank you for your ongoing support. Sincerely, Alicia -- Alicia E. Savage Executive Director South Shore Charter Public School 781.982.4202 Ext. 101 www.sscps.org  Comments are closed.
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