New Details On Milford Schools 2020 Reopening Plans

Written by Superintendent of Schools Anna Cutaia,

Dear Milford Public Schools Staff and Parents/Guardians,

On June 29, 2020, we received the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) guidance on returning to school for the 20-21 school year, Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut’s Plan to Learn and Grow Together.

The Milford Public Schools ReStart 20-21 Task Force has been busy reviewing and developing an

understanding of the guidance provided by the CSDE.

There are some key tenets of the plan that will provide the greatest assurances to keeping everyone safe but also pose themselves to be the greatest challenges to implement. The guidance is clear that school districts should plan to have all students come back to full-time instruction at the beginning of the school year with social distancing requirements, masks to be worn by all staff and students, cohorting of students (all of PK-8 and in 9-12 as possible), implementation of strict cleaning protocols, and the provision of running busses at or close to capacity.

When considering these key tenets as applied to a school setting of students between the ages of 3-22 across 14 school buildings, you can quickly start to enumerate the many challenges we will face. One simple example is the need to spread the student body out across classrooms where they will be no closer than six feet apart (according to current guidance). The average classroom size in MPS will allow 10-12 students in each classroom. This has an implication on class sizes, staffing, safety protocols, instructional practices, budget, resources and many other things. While we are required to ensure social distancing, as you may very well know, ensuring that is happening with learners, especially those who are our youngest, becomes a most difficult challenge.

Rest assured, our team is working tirelessly to develop a plan to first and foremost ensure the safety and well-being of our students and staff based on key Milford Public Schools Guiding Principles. Next week, we will start to invite teachers to the planning process. Additionally, next week, I will gather together a representative group of parents and community liaisons to gain feedback about our initial thinking.

Below are highlights of the scope of work that each work group (Operations, Transportation, Teaching & Learning, and Social Emotional Learning) is considering as part of the ReStart planning.

Operations
● Developing school layouts with social distancing
● Scheduling - school start/end times
● Cleaning and disinfecting protocols
● Arranging for supply of PPE/hand sanitizers/wipes
● Preparing protocols for the use of shared spaces
● Addressing cafeteria management and operations
● Considering the Nurse’s office operation -screenings/isolation room availability
● Creating School Resource Officer protocols, practices, interaction with social distancing
● Developing guest/visitor protocols
● Providing delivery of support service delivery (occupational therapy/physical therapy)
● Determining additional information systems needs - additional devices/additional services
● Addressing/researching budgetary concerns

Transportation
● Surveying about bus usage
● Determining fleet capacity
● Preparing bus/van operation procedures (including seating arrangements, in person monitors, masks, dividers)
● Establishing cleaning protocols
● Transporting athletic teams/field trips
● Scheduling school start/end times (relating to bus schedule)
● Managing PPE - costs & supplies

Teaching & Learning
● Creating an instructional model for 3 scenarios (face-to-face, complete distance learning, and hybrid)
● Addressing project-based learning impacts
● Addressing classroom environment (desks, masks, groupings, shared classroom items)
● Determining movement of students through the building
● Writing attendance protocols
● Preparing grading procedures/schematics
● Addressing/preparing for equity/access issues
● Scheduling the structure of the day
● Considering the use of technology for delivery models (Google Meets, etc.)
● Communicating clear expectations to students/staff/families
● Travelling staff members (school to school)
● Conducting student assessments upon return
● Preparing a professional learning schedule/topics
● Predicting/arranging for student supports (anxiety/struggles with return)
● Conducting the enrichment program
● Addressing the need for substitute teachers

Social Emotional Learning
● Using survey results to inform next steps
● Planning for the back-to-school transition (w/emphasis on grades K, 6, and 9)
● Building/Rebuilding Classroom Community
● Re-acclimating students to each other
● Continuing regular and consistent social/emotional learning monitoring
● Sharing coping strategies for all to use
● Strengthening community partnerships
● Focusing on equity and social justice issues
● Assuring access to needed supports for students and staff
● Integrating social/emotional learning as part of curriculum
● Providing training for staff
● Creating clear and consistent messaging across district

Similar to the informational webinar held in June, I plan on holding another webinar this month to update our staff and community on our progress toward developing a plan for the fall. Information about date and time will be forthcoming.

We anticipate guidance and/or information from other partnering government agencies to develop and possibly change as the summer progresses. We will continue to keep you informed as new information is available.

Thank you for your patience and confidence in our team’s work to develop a plan while information and guidance is continuously evolving.

Best,
Anna Cutaia, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools