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Date: 3/31/2021
WEST SPRINGFIELD – The West Springfield Public School Committee met March 23 to approve the $48.4 million budget and discuss an April return for students.
According to the district survey results, 87 percent of elementary students are expected to begin in-person learning April 5. The secondary schools need to work out some additional details around social distancing during meal times before students are able to return, the committee explained. This has been a challenge for the high school due to the configuration of the cafeteria, which Superintendent Tim Connor described as a large hallway with oblong and round tables. Students are expected to be 6 feet apart frontwards facing when masks are removed, opposed to the 3 foot requirement when worn. Using the current furniture, only two students are allowed at oblong tables and one at round tables.
“Principals are working very hard … They’re being asked to figure out things we’ve never had to think about. We ask for patience.There will be tweaks along the way as we get students in,” Connor said. “Plans are coming from the heart with students, faculty, and staff in mind.”
The district is renting tents, like many others, to help solve for social distancing. Faculty is also working to reset social distancing markers and find ways to help students gauge their distance. Furniture and other storage items are also in the process of being removed to allow more space for students.
The district consulted with ventilation experts and will be following state guidance, keeping windows open. Areas that don’t have windows will have HEPA filters.
According to Tatham Elementary School Principal Kathleen B Morneau, during inclement weather schools will need to get creative. One solution is allowing half the class to remain in their assigned room while the other half go to the cafeteria. Additional options are using the auditorium or gymnasium. All of which will require proper staffing.
“One of the challenges we’ve had, which has been mentioned before, where we used to have a fairly good cohort of hourly workers - lunch monitors, crossing guards, is almost down to single digit interest…We’re constantly advertising you will see on our website and in School Spring,” Connor said.
Other unique challenges mentioned for the district are Cohort C accommodations, allocation of resources based on unique student needs, considerations of caregiver/stakeholders various needs, and arrival and dismissal plans based on each schools’ “footprint.”
Those who’ve elected to keep their children home will be expected to remain in Cohort C through the end of the year to ensure a more consistent learning environment for students.
The state set April 28 as the mandatory return date for middle schools. The high school return is to be determined. Connor mentioned they are hoping to bring secondary level students back before April 28. It was confirmed they will not be returning April 5 with the Elementary schools.
Students will have assigned seating on buses as a way to conduct contact tracing as necessary. Connor mentioned in the event of a positive case a letter will be sent home and phone calls will be made to those affected. Cases are reported by school daily to the state and the district plans to publish this information weekly on its website.
The need for school adjustment counselors was also discussed with regard to the budget and return plans. The Social and Emotional Director Jennifer Brennan mentioned during the meeting they’re expecting and preparing for an influx of students with higher needs.
“One of the strongest things we can do, I think from a basic level, is to reteach routines and how to do school again. It’s going to feel really stimulating. It’s not going to look like the normal,” Brennan said.
Counselors are working with teachers to facilitate conversations around coping and discussions centered on COVID–19 experiences to help with the adjustment. Brennan mentioned during the meeting the work will be done in the classroom, small groups, and on an individual basis depending on students needs.
The budget is also taking into consideration contractual obligations including aligning the prep time for elementary teachers with that of the secondary level schools to promote more equity. The intent is to expand offerings for physical education, art, music and technology to ensure students are receiving equitable opportunities in these areas across the district.
Aside from the budget and return to school plans, Connor recognized the Teacher Excellence award recipients Sean Gillane, H.S. History; Amy Canata, M.S. SpecEd; Whitney Weldon, Memorial School; Casey Materas, John Ashley; and Kensey Rhodes, Adjustment Counselor ~ New Teacher Award.
Following the awards Connor provided an update on the Coburn Elementary School stating the project is going according to the timeline. The pillars to support the walls are up and the foundation is being poured. Currently, there are two meetings per week to talk about concerns and discuss change orders with regard to the project.
“I thank the neighbors for their patience, adjustment, and flexibility as we go along with this project,” Connor added.