Hybrid

I had a Friday reflection all set to send out this week, but I'm switching directions after our School District's board meeting about our potential move into hybrid.  Most of us have found a comfortable rhythm with virtual learning - and now a big wrench is thrown into it.  The introduction of Hybrid is on the calendar and it is indeed a daunting task. We know there is no template for moving forward - not neat little grid where we can fill in the boxes - no clear cut roadmap. 

Several staff members shared the following concerns:

  • Can we keep students socially distant in our spaces with our current resources?
  • Will my current class list go to the wayside after I just spent a month building camaraderie? 
  • Will teaching assignments be shifted to different grades? different schools? 
  • How do I protect the vulnerable people in my life?
  • Is there a concrete statistic that will be using to make the call on staying remote, going hybrid, and going back remote
  • I'm concerned that we will be rushing through the logistics of everything and that will impact everyone’s safety.
  • Why are we starting so soon? Why not wait?
  • We are just finding our way with remote learning and now we need to figure out a whole new system. 
  • How many times will we have to go back and forth after making this shift?
  • There are COVID cases in our district already.  Exposure will just make this even more complicated.

By listing staff concerns, I hope I am acknowledging them - their concerns are legit. And, by sharing them, they are helping us forge ahead.  

Let me suggest we focus on one stage at a time - it seems more manageable that way.  Phase 1 of hybrid is being formulated around our youngest students.  We know that our youngest children do not have a good foundation in reading, writing, math.  And, deep down we have concerns about their ability to progress in a virtual world. We know they need visual, tactile help, one-on-one guidance and encouragement. I think we will need to utilize a variety of different building resources in the school to find a way to make phase 1 work.  After we accomplish phase 1, we can ask ourselves if we have enough resources to execute phase 2, phase 3 and hopefully down the road in person learning.  

Teachers are in the trenches.  The ball will be in their court to implement the plan we develop. We must listen carefully to teachers and to all staff and trust each other through the creation of solutions.  We will need serious investment of good faith, common sense, energy, wisdom, time, and brainstorming. 

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