Plattsburgh School Updates Reopening Plan

PLATTSBURGH - Amid outcry from concerned parents about returning to a completely in-person teaching model, the Plattsburgh City School District updated its guidelines - shifting to a hybrid approach to begin the school year. Superintendent Jay Lebrun said there was concern about not having enough students as well as staff willing to return. "We received much feedback, from students, parents, and staff alike, indicating anxiety about a full-return," he said. "Unsure if there would be sufficient students attending full in-person instruction to justify opening in that mode, or whether there would be sufficient staffing to safely open, the decision was made start the year in the hybrid mode of instruction." Schedules will be based on students' last names. Those with last names A-J will be in Group 1, attending in-person lessons on Monday and Thursdays and remote learning Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Group 2 is made up of those with last names K-Z comprising and will have face-to-face lessons Tuesday and Friday with remote learning on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. While the hope is to ultimately return to full in-person learning if the state deems it safe enough, Lebrun said for now this new approach will help assuage fears shared by students, parents and staff alike. "There's no question that the hybrid model - wherein only up to half of the students will be physically present at any given time - allows for greater distancing, and because of this, I've heard from our constituents that they generally view this as safer," said Lebrun. "In terms of whether it is better, I will always maintain that maximizing in-person interaction between students and teachers is best and preferable. The entire school reopening challenge centers upon balancing these two factors: safety and educational quality." A parent option has also been added, allowing concerned parents to keep their child home rather than send them into the schools if they did not feel comfortable. Students will be required to wear masks throughout the school day, except for some exceptions, and social distancing must be adhered to. Those riding the bus must have their temperature checked by bus monitors. Those with temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit will not be allowed to board. In the case of another outbreak, Lebrun said the school is prepared to return to a fully remote model similar to what was used this spring. "Should our district need to transition to the full-remote mode of instructional delivery, students will receive live, daily, interactive instruction from their teachers. Surely, these live virtual lessons are the best version of remote instruction, and whereas this happened sporadically during the Spring closure, it will happen more fully this Fall, if necessary."

Signup for our newsletter

Plattsburgh School Updates Reopening Plan

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS