March 8, 2021
Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers,
On Friday, March 5, 2021, the State Board of Education granted the Massachusetts Commissioner of Education the authority to determine when hybrid and remote models no longer count toward meeting the required learning hours. The Commissioner has indicated that beginning on April 5, 2021, hybrid and asynchronous models will no longer count toward the time on learning requirements for grades K-5. Families will still have the option to choose fully remote learning for the remainder of the 20/21 school year.
STGRSD will prioritize five day in-person learning for all students K-12 and plan to phase out the hybrid model in the coming weeks. In order to accomplish in-person learning for all students K-12 we need definitive commitment from parents about their child’s learning mode for the remainder of the school year so we can plan for class size, transportation, etc.
Please visit the District website by the end of the day March 14, 2021 to complete one enrollment survey per student:
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=7J1o1m5JbkiK5ut2K-7JN1KPJ-EOUhxIiMHDm4rzilhUQVhQR0M4QkM2RVExSFQ0RzY0STVPNlYzMy4u
The schools will open five days in-person under the following conditions:
- The STGRSD Hybrid Learning Continuum will be replaced by a return to in-person learning five days per week. The hybrid option will no longer be available.
- Social distancing requirements will match DESE recommended (3 feet minimum).
- Masks will still be required.
- DESE recommended cleaning protocols will continue.
- New DESE Transportation Guidelines will be followed. These new guidelines lift capacity limitations and physical distancing requirements for students on school buses.
NOTE: The transition back to in-person learning may result in scheduling adjustments which could mean changes in teachers and teaching assignments.
STGRSD Online Full remote option will still be available for the remainder of the 20/21 school year.
Please contact your building principal if you have any questions about learning modes or schedules at your child’s school.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools