HCPSS Reopening Plan 2020-2021
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REOPENING PLAN 2020-2021 Ellicott City, Maryland, 21042 | www.hcpss.org As of 2/8/2021 1 REOPENING PLAN 2020-2021 Superintendent Michael J. Martirano, Ed.D. Board of Education Mavis Ellis, Chair Vicky Cutroneo, Vice Chair Kirsten Coombs Christina Delmont-Small Jennifer Swickard Mallo Sabina Taj Chao Wu, Ph.D. Zachary Koung, Student Member August 2020 Ellicott City, Maryland, 21042 | www.hcpss.org As of 2/8/2021 2 Table of Contents Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................. 4 Guiding Principles for HCPSS Reopening ................................................................................................. 5 HCPSS Reopening Priorities .................................................................................................................. 5 MSDE Reopening Requirements ........................................................................................................... 5 Continuity of Learning and Summer Programming ................................................................................ 7 Stakeholder Input ..................................................................................................................................... 7 HCPSS Virtual Instructional Model .......................................................................................................... 8 Engaging in Virtual Instruction .............................................................................................................. 8 Assessing Instructional Level .............................................................................................................. 12 Digital Tools ......................................................................................................................................... 14 Attendance and Grading ..................................................................................................................... 15 Implementation of Special Education Services ................................................................................... 17 Implementation of Section 504 Plans ................................................................................................. 20 Implementation of Instruction for English Learners ........................................................................... 21 Maintaining Health and Safety ........................................................................................................... 22 Small Group Face-to-Face Instructional Activities .............................................................................. 25 Homewood Center and Applications and Research Laboratory ......................................................... 25 Fall Sports ............................................................................................................................................ 31 Additional Supports ............................................................................................................................... 32 Tiered System of Supports for Mathematics and Language Arts ....................................................... 32 Students Engaged in Gifted and Talented Programming .................................................................... 34 Students Experiencing Homelessness ................................................................................................. 34 Child Care ............................................................................................................................................ 35 Students with Academic and Behavior Needs .................................................................................... 35 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Supports ............................................................................................ 38 Supporting Student and Staff Well-Being ........................................................................................... 39 Technology Supports for Virtual Instruction ....................................................................................... 42 Food and Nutrition Program ............................................................................................................... 43 Professional Learning .......................................................................................................................... 44 Expectations/Responsibilities ................................................................................................................ 48 Transition to Hybrid ............................................................................................................................... 49 Ongoing Evaluation ................................................................................................................................ 50 Outcomes and Corresponding Measures ........................................................................................... 51 Appendices ............................................................................................................................................. 54 As of 2/8/2021 3 Executive Summary As the coronavirus pandemic continues to limit education, work and daily life throughout our state, nation and world, the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is preparing to ensure students have access to a robust instructional program that, as closely as possible, resembles the traditional models of rigorous instruction that have served HCPSS students well for many years. All fall planning for the 2020-2021 academic year is grounded in the equity that embodies the HCPSS Strategic Call to Action, and is guided by three primary priorities: safety and well-being of our students and staff members; high-quality instruction for all students, including those most vulnerable; and resource availability, including funding. Stakeholder concerns and priorities have been carefully considered in all fall planning decisions. Students, parents/guardians and staff members were invited to provide input through online surveys and email. To ensure that feedback was inclusive and broadly representative of the entire school system community, several Superintendent advisory groups also were asked to share recommendations. The 38-member Recovery Plan Stakeholder group—which represented a diverse cross-section of stakeholders, including community groups and health organizations—carefully assessed all input and other relevant data and provided recommendations to the Superintendent. On July 16, 2020, the Board of Education approved that the fall 2020-2021 semester will be a fully virtual instructional model, and one that will be significantly more rigorous than the spring HCPSS Continuity of Learning program. Students in all levels will engage in four days of teacher-led synchronous (live) instruction each week, and will complete asynchronous assignments throughout the week. Dedicated times will be included in the daily schedule when students may receive additional support and access meal distribution sites. Removing technology barriers that interfere with learning will help advance equitable student learning outcomes. To ensure all students and teachers have access to technology for remote learning, additional Chromebooks have been purchased and will be distributed to support a more robust program of instruction than was possible in the spring. Approved CARES Act funding will allow HCPSS to work towards a 1:1 student-to-device ratio in grades pre-k to 12. Within the first academic quarter, HCPSS will provide a Chromebook to every student in Pre-K through 8th grade. As additional Chromebooks are received from the vendor, they will be distributed to high school students until our system achieves a 1:1 student-to-device ratio. HCPSS will continue to work with families to resolve connectivity issues and provide devices to high school students by request. Teacher preparation is the most critical factor to a successful learning program. Teachers will receive intensive professional learning to ensure they are well prepared to effectively deliver virtual, synchronous instruction. Staff, students and families will develop skills that will transcend the challenges of the pandemic and improve the long term delivery of instruction. As of 2/8/2021 4 A comprehensive communications program ensures parents/guardians, staff and students are fully informed about fall instruction. The HCPSS website serves as a one-stop hub for complete information and updates, augmented by systemwide email, social media and selective in-person outreach, as well as communications support for school administrators. Translated versions are provided for key documents, and families needing language services are served by the HCPSS international services team and direct outreach via family liaisons. While HCPSS is focused on implementing the best virtual solution possible for the start of the 2020-2021 school year, the school system is simultaneously preparing for an eventual transition to a hybrid model that will combine distance learning with in-person instruction. The decision regarding transition will take into account the prevalence of the pandemic; preferences and experiences of students, staff and parents/guardians during the initial weeks of school; and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Howard County Health Department (HCHD) guidance. During the initial period of virtual instruction, the focus will be