WPS Phase in to Full In-Person Learning Presentation - February 17, 2021

WATERFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS Safe Phase-In of Full In-Person Learning

We can. We will. Together.

In-Person Learning is the Best Learning.

THANK YOU TO OUR TREMENDOUS TEAM, OUR FAMILIES AND OUR STUDENTS.

BACKGROUND ON LEARNING MODEL

• In-Person Learning is the best learning.

• 53% of CT is full in-person (February 5) • This transition is part of our original plan from Summer 2020.

• 70 Staff Involved • Full Distance, Hybrid, Full In-Person

• Our return follows CT DPH, CSDE, and newly released CDC Guidance.

• CDC Guidance

• Suggested Metrics for Learning Model Changes • Waterford’s Numbers – Safe for Full In-Person Learning

CDC LEVELS OF COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION • Levels of community transmission defined as: • Low Transmission: • New cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days is 0-9 • Percentage of positive tests in the past 7 days is <5% • Moderate Transmission: • New cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days is 10-49 • Percentage of positive tests in the past 7 days is 5-7.9%; • Substantial Transmission: • New cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days is 50-99 • Percentage of positive tests in the past 7 days is 8-9.9%; • High Transmission: • New cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days is ≥100 • Percentage of positive tests in the past 7 days is ≥10%

CDC METRICS

WATERFORD’S DATA BASED ON CDC METRICS • Moderate Transmission: • New cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days is 10-49

• Waterford = 42 new cases per 100,000 (February 11, 2021) • Percentage of positive tests in the past 7 days is 5-7.9%

• Waterford = 5.0 % positive test rate (February 11, 2021)

DATA SUPPORTS FULL IN-PERSON LEARNING

WHY PHASE-IN TO FULL IN-PERSON NOW? • Updated Guidance – Guidance continues to evolve. We know more now than we did before. Research is constantly developing.

• LLHD and our Medical Advisor are in full support of our phased-in approach to returning students.

• Body of research around schools that have been full-in already.

• COVID positivity rate and cases are decreasing across CT, SE CT, LLHD, and in Waterford.

• Mitigating strategies (PPE) have been effective within our schools all year long and will remain in place.

STEVE MANSFIELD, DIRECTOR OF LLHD

Current COVID-19 Trends & Considerations

OTHER TRENDS & CONSIDERATIONS

• WE KNOW STUDENTS LEARN BEST IN A CLASSROOM. WE HAVE GREAT TEACHERS, GREAT STAFF, AND GREAT SCHOOLS.

• Concerns regarding the mental health and academic needs with our children.

• Based on students’ needs, recommendations from staff and requests from parents for students to attend four days a week increasing.

• A significant number of referrals to special education / 504 have been taking place.

WHY PHASE-IN AND NOT ALL AT ONCE? • Medical and Public Health guidance supports this transition.

• Ensure our core mitigation strategies and protocols can continue to be implemented with the increased capacity.

• Allows time for finalizing logistics – arrival, dismissal, lunch, furniture, etc.

• Allows more time to monitor trends.

• Gauge any additional PPE needs.

• Allows staff and students to adjust to increased capacity in buildings.

PROCESS & PLANNING THIS PHASED-IN RETURN TO FULL-IN PERSON LEARNING PLAN • • • • • • • • • • • •

Updated Guidance from CT DPH; State Epidemiologists; LLHD; and Medical Advisor Meeting with Stephen Mansfield, LLHD Director Feedback from Medical Advisor Meetings with Waterford Administrators & Leadership Team Meetings with WFCT Leadership & other Employee Groups Communication to Staff & Families about BOE Meeting & Broad Plans Survey Distance Learners Families Virtual Meeting with all District Staff & Solicit Feedback Draft Plans go to BOE Members Meeting with the Waterford Board of Education Communication on Plan to Families & School Community Feedback & Questions Solicited from Families

PARAMETERS OF THE RETURN TO FULL INPERSON PLAN • • • •

Based on latest research and guidance from medical and public health sectors Maintain any and all Mitigation Strategies Keep Strict Cohorts PK-8 Full-time Distance Learning Option Remains per CSDE • Parents will continue to have the option to have their child(ren) to fully learn from home • Continual Monitoring • Public Health Data • Phase-in Plan • Utilize Feedback Loops & Continually Reassess the Plan

It is a week-to-week decision.

THE BASICS • PK-5 – Phase-in to Full In-Person Learning • Maintain Classroom Cohorts

• Grades 6-8 – Phase-in to Full In-Person Learning • Maintain Classroom Cohorts

• Grades 9-12 – Utilize Wednesdays for In-Person Learning • Maintain Hybrid Schedule

• Students gain 1 additional in-person day over two weeks – 10% increase • Week 1 – 1 / 1 / 1 / 2 / 2 • Week 2 – 1 / 1 / 2 / 2 / 2

LEARNING DESIGN CHANGES BY KEY DATES Date

March 15

March 22 March 29

Grade Level

Current Model

Learning Design Changes

PK

4 Days

5 Days

K–2

Hybrid

4 Days

6 3–5

Hybrid Hybrid

4 Days 4 Days

7–8 K–8

Hybrid 4 Days

4 Days 5 Days

9 – 12

4 Days over Two Weeks

5 Days over Two Weeks

GRADES PK - 5 Grade Level

Start Date

Phase-in Learning Design Changes

Pre-Kindergarten

March 15

5 Days a week in School

March 15 March 29

4 Days a week in School 5 Days a week in School

March 22 March 29

4 Days a week in School 5 Days a week in School

Kindergarten

Grade 1 Grade 2

Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

GRADES 6 - 8 Grade Level

Start Date

Phase-in Learning Design Changes

Grade 6

March 15 March 29

4 Days a week in School 5 Days a week in School

March 22 March 29

4 Days a week in School

Grade 7

Grade 8

5 Days a week in School

GRADES 9 – 12 & TRANSITION STUDENTS Grade Level

Start Date

Learning Design Changes Students will remain in Hybrid Cohorts of 1 & 2.

Grade 9 - 12

March 29

Cohorts will be in person on alternating Wednesdays.

Transition Students

March 29

Students will go to school 5 days a week.

18-22 Year Olds

EXAMPLE WEEK 1 WEEK 2

MONDAY 1 1

TUESDAY 1 1

WEDNESDAY 1 2

THURSDAY 2 2

FRIDAY 2 2

PLAN CONTINGENCIES:

• Stable and/or continuing decrease in community and school district positive cases and case rates • Stable and/or continuing decrease in community and school district transmission rates • Ability to safely continue core mitigation strategies • Ability to safely staff schools • May change on short notice if the COVID case rates or transmission rates increase in community and/or school

NEXT STEPS • Continued Communication & Planning with LLHD and Medical Advisor • Communication of District Plan to Families & School Community • Feedback & Questions from Families • School Administrators • Reopening@waterfordschools.org • Continued Planning at School & District Level

• School Plans Communicated to Families on Logistics • Arrival, Dismissal, Recess, Lunch, etc.

WATERFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS Safe Phase-In of Full In-Person Learning

We can. We will. Together.