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Originally delivered on 8/1/2020 11:59 am

SUBJECT: Remote Learning Task Force Meeting - July 31, 2020 Meeting Summary

Heath PTO
Remote Learning Task Force
Time-Sensitive Announcements

  • Two critical upcoming School Committee meetings (remote via Zoom) will include important updates on fall reopening planning and allow for opportunities for public comment. 

    • Tuesday, August 4 at 6 PM - the PSB central administration will present a reopening plan followed by a public comment period.

    • Thursday, August 6 at 12 PM - there will be additional time for public comment followed by a potential vote by the School Committee on the reopening plan. 

  • Members of the public may send written public comment to school_committee@psbma.org. Written comments will be shared with all School Committee members. If you would like to provide comment in real time during either meeting, please email school_committee@psbma.org by noon the day prior. After signing up, you will receive an email with additional information on how to provide a comment during the meeting. Speakers will be called on in the order in which they signed up (2-3 minutes per person, depending on the number of speakers).

  • Please visit the Town calendar for more information, and for any updates to the meeting agendas or schedules (https://www.brooklinema.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=110).

July 31, 2020 Meeting Summary

Hello Heath School Households,

Here is a summary of the latest meeting of the Brookline School Committee's Ad Hoc Remote Learning Task Force on July 31:

  1. Fall Reopening Update - As explained in the interim superintendent’s July 22 email to the community, the PSB central administration was to submit to the state and post publicly a preliminary reopening plan by July 31. To the best of my knowledge, that preliminary plan has not been submitted or posted. The PSB central administration was not able to attend our task force meeting, and so we did not get an update on the status of the plan. August 10 is the next deadline for a more detailed reopening plan to be submitted to the state and posted publicly. Further updates are expected at the upcoming School Committee meetings described above

  2. School Committee Meetings - The PSB central administration presented an update at the July 27 School Committee meeting last week. The PDF presentation and video recording are posted on the PSB reopening website (https://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/reopen). The presentation examined pros and cons of multiple models, and ended by highlighting two possible options under consideration (PDF Slides 36-37): (1) a hybrid option that prioritizes full in-person learning for the highest needs and youngest learners, or (2) a phased reopening that begins with most students in remote learning. Further updates are expected at the upcoming School Committee meetings described above.

  3. Possible Professional Development Days to Start the School Year - A calendar note to be aware of is that the first 10 days of the school year may be utilized by the district for teacher professional development and other planning and preparation. Under this agreement, DESE has agreed to reduce the number of mandatory days of school from 180 days down to 170 days, and all MA districts must begin providing instruction to students no later than September 16. I have not confirmed whether PSB will utilize these PD days, but it is a possibility and under consideration.

  4. Expert Advisory Panel Updates - The expert advisory panels are continuing to meet and exploring a range of critical topics. The panels are making their work available by posting presentations, meeting recordings, and other materials on the School Committee’s Task Force website (https://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/Page/2621).

The next meeting of the Task Force is scheduled for August 7. See the Town calendar for upcoming School Committee meetings. You are encouraged to listen in and submit comments or questions.

As always, if you have a perspective that would be relevant to the Task Force, please do reach out to me by email (esilk@me.com) to share your thoughts.

Sincerely,

Eli Silk, Heath School Parent Representative

** Note **

Remote learning—and today’s home, school, and work environment more generally—presents a range of unexpected challenges that are unprecedented in our lifetimes. All stakeholders in our school district are working hard to serve our students as best they can, but the challenges are complex and the situation is continually evolving. The Remote Learning Task Force meetings are each 90 minutes and include substantive discussions on a range of topics, but because the Heath PTO wants to keep you informed while respecting that you have many important issues seeking your attention, this summary is necessarily brief and simplified. If you would like to learn more, additional links are provided below.

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