Principal's Newsletter—Time on Learning Changes


January 13, 2021 

Dear Burr Families,

The Burr team has been hard at work augmenting our learning models based on families’ feedback, district leadership, and new requirements from the Board of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)  for live, synchronous instruction (delivered either in-person or remotely).  The changes are designed to increase direct staff contact time with students, maintain consistency and independence for our students, and build upon structures already in place at Burr. We are focused on keeping the student to staff ratio small enough to allow for meaningful engagement and connection whenever possible. 

These changes will be implemented the week of Tuesday, January 19.

Overview of changes for K
  • The schedule for in-person days is 8:20 am - 2:00 pm (implemented January 4) 
  • Two specialist classes (art, PE, or library) were added for each cohort on their at-home days.
  • One Guided Learning block per day, with a kindergarten aide, will be added from 2:00 - 2:30 PM on students’ at-home days. 

Overview of changes for Grades 1 & 2
  • The schedule for In-person days is 8:20 am - 2:00 pm (implemented January 4) 
  • Two specialist classes (art, PE, or library) were added for each cohort on their at-home days. 
  • Guided Learning blocks, facilitated by a grade-level team member, will be added in the mornings and afternoons on at home days. Student's weekly schedule will now include their Guided Learning blocks. 

Overview of changes for Grades 3, 4 & 5
  • One Guided Learning block, facilitated by grade-level team member, will be added to each at home day.
  • Both cohorts will participate in synchronous remote learning with their classroom teacher from 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Expectations for Student Participation, K-5

All students are expected to attend the Morning Meeting and participate in all of the teacher-assigned, synchronous, and/or asynchronous learning activities on each school day. This includes specialist subject classes: library, art, music, and PE. 

As part of the Hybrid Learning model, students are expected to participate on all days (both in-person and remote days). They cannot selectively opt out of certain classes, including those in the specialist areas. Consistent absences from or lack of participation in specialist classes will be reflected in the student’s mid-year and/or end-of-year progress report.

Classroom teachers will share the schedule changes for their class with families. Please be sure to note the additional ‘live’ teaching time for your child(ren). 

We are grateful for your partnership as we continuously seek to improve teaching and learning for all of our students during this different school year.

Best, 

Mindy

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