Pittsfield Public Schools Transition To In-Person Learning

From a story reported on by WWLP/22 News, starting today(10/14), Pittsfield Public Schools are transitioning to a hybrid remote and in-person learning.

It is the first day for in-person learning for pre-k, kindergarten, and grades 1, 2, 6 and 9.

It was determined that the in-person learning could happen if there was a 14-day average test positivity rate below 3 percent and a 14-day average daily incidence rate of less than 4 per 100,000 in Berkshire County.

Grades 3, 4, and 5 will start on October 20 and grades 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12 on October 27.

And in case you missed it, here is part of the Official Press Release From Superintendent Jason McCandless:

Pittsfield Public Schools Announces Updated In-Person Learning Transition Plan Details

The capacity for schools to plan to reopen safely, as well as for students and families to plan to confidently return to school safely, create demands in which the necessary conditions for successfully accomplishing the goal of transitioning to in-person learning are being monitored constantly by all stakeholders.

With an understanding of the complexity of the circumstances related to the transition to in-person learning in the COVID-19 era, the Pittsfield Public Schools is committed to providing our students, families, and staff the most up-to-date information regarding each phase of school re-openings. The purpose of this, and future, media correspondences from the Pittsfield Public Schools, regarding school re-openings, is to offer the most up-to-date overview of information pertinent to stakeholders within our community.

In an effort to implement realistic and detailed plans tied to how education is delivered to students in 2020-2021, the timeline associated with the shift from online learning to in-person classroom instruction, is driven by reliable public health data, as well as considerations to the needs of our students, families, staff, and community. These considerations evolve and are monitored, constantly – which in turn, dictate the path of our transition to in-person learning.

On September 15th, the Pittsfield Public Schools opened the 2020-2021 school year, offering education to our students via remote learning opportunities.

On September 28th, a transition to in-person education, primarily for students in substantially separate educational programs, commenced. Students enrolled in Special Education, CTE (Vocational), and English Language Learner (ELL) curriculums have physically attended school since.

With in-person learning already underway for a small portion of our student body, students enrolled in traditional education curriculums are anticipated to transition to a hybrid learning model, which includes in-person learning, in the days ahead.

Some of the major goals tied to the transition to in-person learning, include: ensuring student engagement at all learning levels, maximizing teacher-led instructional time, offering a robust curriculum that includes specialty classes and academic support services, placing an emphasis on the importance of age-appropriate in-person instruction in the development of elementary school children, providing college and workforce-bound high school and middle school students vital instructional time that meets the needs of their future paths, and recognizing the value of offering a consistent daily\weekly schedule to students and families.

As of today, the anticipated short-term timeline for shifting to the hybrid learning model - which requires specific health metrics to be monitored in order to proceed with in-person learning opportunities - is as follows:

Wednesday, October 14: ALL STUDENTS SHIFT TO A NEW SCHOOL DAY SCHEDULE * All Students Will Be Contacted In Advance Regarding Their New School Day Schedule *

Wednesday, October 14: Grades PreK, K, 1, 2, 6, and 9 First Day of In-Person Learning

Wednesday, October 14: PPS Virtual Academy Students First Day of PPVA Instruction

Tuesday, October 20: Grades 3, 4, and 5 First Day of In-Person Learning

Monday, October 26: NO SCHOOL Teacher Professional Development\In-Person Learning Prep

Tuesday, October 27: Grades 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12 First Day of In-Person Learning

• Every PPS Student’s daily schedule will change, beginning Wednesday, October 14, 2020, in comparison to the daily schedule previously followed at the beginning of the school year

• Each PPS Student Will Be Assigned Individualized In-Person Learning Schedules

Students and families are encouraged to frequently visit the Remote and Hybrid Learning Link, on the www.pittsfield.net website for the most up-to-date information on each phase of the return to in-person learning. Important information, timelines, and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at https://sites.google.com/pittsfield.net/athomelearning

Breakfast & Lunch

Upon transitioning to in-person learning, the Pittsfield Public Schools will provide breakfast and lunch to students in a “grab & go” bag.

Please keep in mind that you can always visit pittsfield.net for specific school information meeting schedules or other information.

Thanks to WWLP/22 News for keeping us informed.