Merrimack Valley Schools Prepare For Extended Remote Learning

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — The Merrimack Valley Superintendents Association is working on a remote learning plan for many of the association's school districts. Twenty-seven of the association's districts and regional schools reported Friday that they are collaborating in response to state guidance issued the day before. After Gov. Charlie Baker extended the ongoing school closure to May 4, the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recommended that districts launch remote learning by early April.

"All of our communities stress that learning has its foundation in the relationships developed between learners and teachers, whether adults or children," the superintendents wrote. "There is no way to replicate this environment in a digital format in the middle of a pandemic over a week/month or two. We are deeply concerned about the physical and emotional health of everyone in our school communities. As such, we commit to planning and supporting learning that lessens stress and anxiety."

The full letter, and the list of districts and schools involved, is available here.

"We are asking all of our educators to check in with their students," the letter reads. "Many are already going far beyond connecting. They are doing incredible work untethered by current educational policy to ensure that students feel safe and remain connected to their learning"

The plan for younger students is to focus on foundational and process skills, like observation, description, reading, writing and mathematics. For secondary students, many remote learning systems are already in place, the letter notes, so teachers will be able to "use familiar tools to encourage critical and creative thinking skills."

The state recommendation asks that districts provide resources to learn for about half the regular school day and focus on reinforcing skills taught earlier in the school year.

Both the letter and the state recommendations note the challenges for students with specialized instruction needs, and suggest focusing on maintaining connections.

Since the school closures, many districts have distributed laptops and other remote learning tools to students in need. Some districts have continued providing meals to all students who usually receive free or reduced-price lunch.

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Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.