Reading Schools Will Tweak Reopening Plan Based On Feedback

READING, MA — The Reading school district is making some edits to the phased-in hybrid model for the upcoming school year based on feedback from families, Superintendent John Doherty wrote Sunday. The plan was approved by the School Committee Thursday night.

Doherty said the Fall Reopening Family Survey has received close to 1,700 responses. He provided information about questions that arose from the survey:

1. Extended Day-It is our intent to have extended day before and after school programming for students who are in person. More information will be sent out shortly.
2. Pods-We applaud the creativity of parents in creating pods of students that will learn together during remote weeks. Unfortunately, because of all of our scheduling challenges, we cannot guarantee that we can accommodate pods of children and try to assign them to the same cohort. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause, but there are certain students that need to be assigned to certain cohorts based on learning needs, specific course selections, IEP’s, etc.
3. 504 Services-We will be delivering 504 services as described in the child’s 504 plan. Some of this may be in person, while other services may be remote. If you have specific questions, please contact your 504 liaison or building principal.
4. RMHS Seniors and College Process-The Senior college application process will be occurring during the Flex block time in the RMHS schedule by the RMHS guidance counselors. Each guidance counselor will be reaching out at the beginning of the school year to schedule appointments with their students.
5. Kindergarten-We are in the process of investigating if we are able to have half day and full day kindergarten in school both weeks similar to RISE preschool. This is both a space and staffing issue and the building principals are identifying options. We cannot guarantee that this can happen, but we will be able to report out to the community in the near future. Any full in person options would be with the same health and safety parameters as all other in person schooling.
6. Tech support-As we get closer to the start of the school year, we will give you information regarding tech support options and contact information during remote learning.

Doherty stressed the importance of taking the survey. Families are asked to fill one out per child in the Reading Public Schools. You can access the survey link here.

Previously: Reading Opts For Hybrid Model To Start School Year