The North Kitsap School District released its draft plans last week related to the upcoming school year and the possibility of having face-to-face learning once again as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues through the summer months.
The main components of the draft plan included a hybrid model wherein all students will return to in-person learning two days a week, with remote learning occurring three days a week. In this model, students at each school will be split up into two groups — Group A and Group B.
Group A will attend school on Mondays and Tuesday for in-person instruction and will do remote learning Wednesday through Friday. Group B will do the opposite, conducting remote learning Monday through Wednesdays and attending school for in-person instruction Thursdays and Fridays. Wednesdays will be reserved as a disinfecting day between the groups, as well as staff planning, training and family/student check-ins.
During remote learning days, the district states that students and families should expect a “robust online learning system,” which is being developed by NKSD’s eLearning-task-force, a team of educators, leaders and staff. The task force will outline the systems, processes, and professional development teachers will use to ensure students and families have a streamlined experience while learning remotely, according to draft plans.
“I will share up front that we realize these models have strong points and challenges for families in our district,” NKSD Superintendent Laurynn Evans wrote in a letter to families, students and staff July 1. “The requirements from the Department of Health greatly constrain our ability to serve all students in person every day, which means that there is no ‘perfect’ way to provide in-person instruction while upholding the mandates and requirements we have been given.”
In-person learning days will be a duration of six hours and will likely be shorter than previously scheduled to accommodate for additional hygiene practices and online teaching time for faculty. NKSD stated in its plans that they would make every effort to schedule siblings on the same day.
For families not comfortable having their children attend school in the fall, the district is offering an online academy, available K-12 and taught by NKSD teachers. The Fuel Education curriculum will be used for this option, which is also used for Choice Academy, PAL, summer learning and some high school classes.
“I sincerely appreciate your support and partnership as we continue to navigate an extremely challenging season for public schools across the country,” Evans concluded in her letter.
