Schools review ‘all-in’ plans as elementary makes return

Canton Public Schools’ re-entry into the “all-in” learning model is well underway with K-2 students returning this week and grades 3-5 to follow next week.

On Thursday, March 18, the Canton School Committee heard an update on the elementary all-in plan and a return date of April 15 was set for the Galvin Middle School. Plans are still undecided for Canton High School as the district is awaiting guidance from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

At the elementary level, students in grades 3-5 will join their younger schoolmates for fully in-person learning beginning on Tuesday, March 30. The following day, March 31, will be a remote learning day for K-5 students, but subsequent Wednesday early release days will be in person for all elementary grades.

In accordance with the all-in plan, classrooms have been rearranged to ensure a minimum of three feet of distance between students’ seats and six feet of space between students and the teacher’s space. The elementary schools also intend to utilize outdoor spaces when weather permits, and tents were due to be installed on March 25. During lunches, students and staff will be at least six feet apart and schools intend to use all available spaces, including the cafeteria, classrooms, and other large rooms and hallways, as well as outdoor spaces.

Additional details on the elementary all-in set-up, including a FAQ document for K-5 families, can be found on the CPS School News Blog at cantonschoolnews.com.

At the Galvin Middle School, Principal Sarah Shannon reported that Monday and Tuesday, April 12 and 13, will be teacher professional days (no school for students) and Wednesday, April 14, will be a remote learning day. Students will then return for fully in-person learning on Thursday and Friday, April 15 and 16, prior to the start of April vacation week.

Shannon said students will be spaced three to 4.5 feet apart, and alternate arrangements have been developed for classrooms with insufficient space, such as chorus and band. There are also tentative plans to add a third lunch block so that each grade can have its own lunch period.

Planning for an all-in model at CHS is also underway and Principal David Turcotte identified the return of remote staff as the “most important variable.” Some teachers, he said, have already returned to the building and others have indicated plans to do so in the coming weeks.

Turcotte said seats will be spaced at least three feet apart and alternate arrangements will be made for any classrooms that are found to have insufficient capacity. The school plans to use both the gym and cafeteria for lunch seating, as well as multiple points of food distribution …

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Posted by Mike Berger on Mar 26 2021. Filed under News, Schools. Both comments and pings are currently closed.