Renaissance Middle School
Hybrid Reopening FAQ
October 30, 2020
With the recent increase in COVID cases in Essex County, what are the compelling arguments for initiating hybrid learning at Renaissance at the end of November?
The Superintendent made the decision for all Montclair Public Schools to return to in-person learning prior to the recent increase in COVID cases. The state and county health departments are closely monitoring the number of COVID cases in Essex county and in Montclair. If the county health department deems it is unsafe to return to in-person instruction, then this decision will be to continue with remote learning. Currently, parents have the option to have their kids remain fully remote or return for hybrid instruction.
Has the Renaissance building been retrofitted to address the problems with ventilation and general building readiness? When will we know the specifics?
Per the CDC guidelines, it is recommended that we provide as much fresh air as possible in our building. Our classrooms will be ready for students and staff either through mechanical ventilation, air purification, along with windows being opened. Additionally, all classrooms will operate with reduced class sizes to ensure social distancing guidelines are followed. Currently, our school has 3 rooms identified as having mechanical ventilation and 28 rooms which will have the air purification systems installed to provide adequate ventilation. We will continue to update the community as repairs are made to our ventilation systems.
Can parents have another chance to take the hybrid/remote survey after learning more details about the plans for Renaissance?
At this point, parents who wish to change from hybrid instruction to remote learning can make this request. Our hybrid reopening plans are reliant on the survey results regarding the number of students returning. You may request to change your child from hybrid to virtual at any time by notifying your child’s team leader and the Principal at any point during the marking period. If you wish to change from remote to hybrid, that option will be available at the end of marking period two for Grades 6-12.
Can you provide us with a sample schedule for each grade that includes each class and the times that each period will meet?
Please see the proposed hybrid schedule for Renaissance students.
Daily Hybrid Schedule
Mondays/Thursdays: Doors Open: 8:20
Times | |
Homeroom | 8:25 – 8:35 |
Period 1 | 8:38 – 9:22 |
Period 2 | 9:25 – 10:09 |
Period 3 | 10:12 – 10:56 |
Period 4 | 10:59 – 11:43 |
Period 5 | 11:46 – 12:30 |
Tuesdays/Fridays: Doors Open: 8:20
Times | |
Homeroom | 8:25 – 8:35 |
Period 6 | 8:38 – 9:22 |
Period 7 | 9:25 – 10:09 |
Period 8 | 10:12 – 10:56 |
Period 9 | 10:59 – 11:43 |
Period 10 | 11:46 – 12:30 |
Hybrid Rotation of School Days
Week 1
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
A Day
Mounties |
A Day
Mounties |
E Day
All Remote |
B Day
Bulldogs |
B Day
Bulldogs |
Week 2
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
C Day
Mounties |
C Day
Mounties |
E Day
All Remote |
D Day
Bulldogs |
D Day
Bulldogs |
Week 3
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
B Day
Mounties |
B Day
Mounties |
E Day
All Remote |
A Day
Bulldogs |
A Day
Bulldogs |
Week 4
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
D Day
Mounties |
D Day
Mounties |
E Day
All Remote |
C Day
Bulldogs |
C Day
Bulldogs |
With the reduction in instructional time to four hours, how can the teachers cover the material they need to?
There will be four hours of synchronous live instruction along with asynchronous independent assignments. The redistribution of assignments will account for the hour of lost live instructional time.
Will there be a fifth hour of asynchronous learning or virtual office hours?
The fifth hour of asynchronous learning will take place through assignments and additional coursework which builds upon content taught. Teachers will continue to have office hours for SEL activities and to additional academic support under the hybrid instructional model.
What training will the teachers have to assist them in facilitating simultaneous face to face and remote learning and integrate those two groups of students?
The district’s Department of Equity, Curriculum and Instruction and the Department of Technology have been researching best practices to create a hybrid model for teaching all of our students—for those who choose to come to school for face-to-face instruction and for those who opt to learn remotely. Their research includes consultations with educators from other districts, including Livingston and Princeton, as well as a site visit to the Millburn Public School District. The ECI team plans to hold meaningful professional development for our teachers to transition them into teaching under the hybrid model. Additionally, teachers will continue to receive ongoing PD to provide instructional support during hybrid instruction.
What will a classroom look like? Will in-person students be watching the instruction on their computers? Or will they be engaging with the teachers while the remote students watch what is happening in the classroom?
The district will be releasing a video to show parents and the community how hybrid instruction will take place. Hybrid students will be seating in our classrooms while maintaining social distancing guidelines. Both hybrid and remote students will use their devices in a very similar manner to what is occurring now during remote learning.
How will the in-person students receive their special education/remediation/ accommodations?
Students returning to in-person instruction will receive the same educational support services as they did prior to COVID-19.
What will the students do for Physical Education?
A greater description of a physical education class will be issued at a later date. However, students are not permitted to use their lockers or the locker rooms. PE activities will consist of socially distant, independent activities such as jumping jacks, sit-ups, pushups, yoga, etc. Additionally, the physical education classes will cover the health content standards along with Social/emotional learning activities.
Will the students who are present at school move from classroom to classroom or will the teachers move to them? If the students will be changing classes, how can they do that safely in the narrow hallways? Who will monitor the halls during passing time?
Students will move from class to class, while staying to the right of the hallway. All staff members will monitor the hallways during transitional times throughout the day.
If a student or teacher has a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask, how will that be addressed?
All staff and students are required to wear a mask. If a staff member or a student cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition, they must receive prior approval to wear a face shield instead. All staff and students are required to wear some form of face protection/covering.
What will be the consequences for students who don’t follow the health and safety rules? What will be the disciplinary process?
Any student who does not follow the safety protocols will be sent home. The disciplinary process may be modified by the district to reflection COVID-19 safety guidelines/infractions.
How and how often will the school be cleaned?
The school will be cleaned daily, but the common areas such as bathrooms will be cleaned more frequently throughout the day. Deep cleaning will occur every Wednesday.
Will there be COVID testing at school? What is the plan if students or staff test positive?
At this time the district is not planning on testing. However, we are developing plans to implement consent based testing and when the plans are developed and approved, they will be presented to stakeholders.
Will there be plexiglass dividers in the classrooms? If so, how will they be set up?
Classrooms do not have plexiglass dividers at this time.
What is the plan to continue to make the Renaissance community feel unique and special? What parts of our magnet theme will remain intact, and how will that happen?
All students will attend all of their classes, without a disruption to the courses that encompass Renaissance’s community service theme. I will collaborate with the PTA, SATp, and staff to do our best to preserve our school’s magnet theme. I welcome all suggestions from parents, community members, staff members, and students for how to make our Renaissance community feel unique and special.
How will the Restorative Justice program continue throughout this school year in both remote and hybrid settings?
Restorative Justice circles will occur remotely for both remote and hybrid students. Please see the Principal’s Bulletin from October 30th under “Remote RJ”.
What mental health services will be available to students?
The counselors consistently provide resources throughout their Google Classroom page, and also provide support to students via individual counseling sessions. Please see the Principal’s Bulletin from October 30th for more detailed information.
What is Parent University and when will it be available?
The Parent and Community University workshops were offered during the week of September 21st. The workshops were designed specifically for our parents and community members to learn more about how our children are using Google tools during remote learning. Please see a list of sessions that have been offered, using the linked menu. If you have ideas or suggestions for future workshops, please feel free to reach out to me.
Is there a long-range plan for students to recover lost time and instruction?
The pandemic and its effects on education and the loss of instructional time is a global, national, state, and district issue. We will continue to work with educational institutions and leaders across the county and state to receive guidance.