As local schools plan for re-opening, considerations include
the size of the student population and the size of the school buildings, with
each district calculating how to maintain social distancing during in-person
schooling.
Most districts have come up with a hybrid model, but the
parameters vary widely. Usually the emphasis is on in-person learning for
elementary-level students, kids with special needs, and those receiving English
language instruction. Older students are scheduled for remote learning, either
full-time or an a part-time schedule, with onsite schooling one to four days a
week, depending on the district's resources.
"As the father of three school-aged children, please
know that I fully understand that anything but full in-person instruction for
our students presents challenges for our families," Cornwall
Superintendent of Schools Terry Dade wrote in a letter to parents. "Our
focus will continue to be on the safety, well-being, and academic progress for
our students."
Some schools have a transition period built into the plans.
At Monroe-Woodbury, the first two weeks will be held completely online. For the
next two weeks, students will get one day of in-person teaching, followed by a
schedule of two days a week in person.
Similarly, the biggest district in the county, the Newburgh
Enlarged City School District, with 12,000 students, will begin with a month of
remote learning. Students will gradually be brought into the buildings in three
phases, on a timeline yet to be determined.
In contrast, administrators of the Greenwood Lake school
district, which has only 475 students, are confident they can conduct all their
instruction in person while maintaining proper social distancing and other
safety protocols.
However, if spikes in COVID-19 infection occur within the
schools, all students will most likely return to exclusively remote learning.
Check your individual school district's website for details
on returning to school.