Published April 23, 2020

 By JILLIAN STRING

NORTH READING — Both Superintendent Dr. Patrick Daly and Junior Class Representative to the School Committee Julia Thorstad reported to committee members that remote learning for students has been going well so far.

“Students have completed their first week of phase one of remote learning. The week went very well, with teachers being able to set up video chats with the designated class periods,” Thorstad said at the committee’s April 13 remote meeting.

Thorstad stated that classes for high school students begin at 10 a.m., and the format for most classes has the teacher explaining a lesson via video chat, students completing the assignment independently, and a teacher check-in at the conclusion of the activity.

“Students are, overall, very happy with the set-up for remote learning, especially having the structure of school back in our daily routine, and the face-to-face social interaction from seeing our classmates and teachers,” Thorstad said.

Thorstad noted that her favorite remote learning activity to date was a virtual immunology lab set up by science teacher Katelyn Jolibert.

“(Jolibert) found us a virtual immunology lab from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute that simulates an interactive lab environment and lets you click on various medical equipment and walks you through the procedures, which was very realistic and a cool way to learn from home,” Thorstad said. “The lab allowed us to do the antibody testing that could be used in the near future to determine who of the population has already been exposed to COVID and can return to the public.”

In addition to class assignments, Thorstad stated that the Student Council presented a challenge to see who could get the most video “likes” using the TikTok app.

Daly reported that more than 250 Chromebooks have gone out to families to assist in remote learning activities.

School Committee Chairman Scott Buckley and Vice Chairman Janene Imbriano asked Daly to discuss the school closure impact on MCAS and Advanced Placement (AP) exams.

Daly reported that the MCAS testing requirement for the 2019-2020 school year has been waived.

AP exams will be administered in the spring, but will be completed online this year.

“Students understand that AP classes require additional work on your own to study for the now-online exams,” Thorstad explained.

Daly noted that with the exception of AP courses, all classes will be diving deeper into previously taught concepts and will not be focusing on new content at this time.

School Committee member Chris Pappavaselio inquired as to why new concepts were not being explored.

“My concerns would be once you start moving forward, any gaps that exist right now, whether it be technology, socioeconomic, learning supports that are needed, when you introduce new concepts and new content, those gaps widen,” Daly said. “We need to be able to make sure that we’re scaling up and the supports are working.”

Remote learning began for students on Monday, April 6 and will continue until school reopens. (At the time the School Committee had met, school was tentatively scheduled to reopen on May 4. However, Gov. Baker stated at a press conference on Tuesday, April 21 that schools will not re-open for the remainder of the current school year.)

The following remote learning expectations are posted on the district website:

Grades 9-12 expectations

Students will follow a daily schedule consistent with the Green and Gold Day schedule .

Mondays/Thursdays are Green Days and Tuesdays/Fridays are Gold Days. Wednesdays are reserved for completing assignments/ receiving feedback from teachers/office hours for students and parents (as needed).

All schedules and assignments are flexible to accommodate the unique needs of our students during this time. However, it is recommended that students follow the schedule provided whenever practicable.

Grades 6-8 expectations

Students will follow a modified schedule that reflects their current classes.

Monday is Day 1, Tuesday is Day 2, Thursday is Day 3, and Friday is Day 4. Wednesdays are reserved for completing assignments independently for any subjects.

All schedules and assignments are flexible to accommodate the unique needs of our students during this time. However, it is recommended that students follow the schedule provided whenever practicable.

Grades Pre-K-5 expectations

Students will follow a remote learning schedule that includes specified time periods each day for student engagement.

Students will be invited to live check-ins at least twice per week.

Wednesdays will allow for students to complete independent work on assignments.

All schedules and assignments are flexible to accommodate the unique needs of our students during this time.

Eighth-grade trip canceled

Daly reported that the eighth grade trip to Washington, D.C. has been canceled.

Buckley asked if it would be possible to send two groups next year. Daly said he liked the idea and it would be something the administrative team could discuss.

Grab-and-go open to all

According to Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Michael Connelly, the food service program is continuing to prepare grab-n-go breakfasts and lunches each day.

“We’ve gone from about 35 to about 45 (meals) on average each day,” Connelly said. He added that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) “has officially approved the waiver allowing all districts to claim those meals, and they’re going to reimburse districts at the paid reimbursement rate regardless of someone’s eligibility or status.”

A notice from the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture states reimbursements rates for the 2019-2020 school year are approximately $3.41 per lunch and $1.84 per breakfast.