As stay at home orders begin to ease up in the state of New York and guidelines become less strict, the time has come for schools to rethink the school’s education structure come Fall 2020. Even though data and information about the virus are constantly changing, Fieldston is committed to adapting to its changes and creating a plan to ensure that students will return to campus in the fall.
There is no simple way to introduce school after four months of a stay-at-home order. There has been a recent surge in coronavirus cases all around the United States. In Florida, for example, 350k cases have been recorded, a number that will likely only continue to grow, and California recently surpassed New York (at its peak) in its number of cases. Fortunately, New York seems to have fewer and fewer cases by the day. This has caused many school administrations to rethink their plans for school in the fall. In a recent email Jessica Bagby (Head of School) suggested that they “remain optimistic about opening our campuses for students the first day of school on Thursday 9/10).”
All departments of the school are meeting regularly to discuss the most effective way to introduce online learning in correlation with in-class learning. Five task forces have been assembled to tackle productive plans since early June, with Kyle Wilkie-Glass leading the overall effort of these task forces. Each task force is staffed with co-chairs who are guiding the work of each group and its subcommittees.
Similarly, both Riverdale and Horce Mann are aiming to return back to school in the fall. Riverdale’s plan differs from the others, as they are returning to campus on August 24. According to The New York Times, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that public schools would not fully reopen in September. Classroom time will be limited to only one to three days per week and class sizes will shrink immensely – de Blasio only foresees about a dozen students in a class at a time – so as to continue to curb the outbreak. Though de Blasio has shared his plan for the fall, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo still has authority over when schools open across the state. Cuomo and de Blasio have been at odds over schools the past few months, though the governor did not contradict de Blasio on his plan.
On Thursday, July 23, Fieldston updated its official academic plan for the fall:
Fieldston is calling its new learning model, Hyflex. Classroom sizes will now be reduced to 12, where only half of students will remain on campus for a week (week A), and the other half on week B. Those who have the week off-campus will remain in class virtually. The longest class time will meet for 55 minutes, while the lowest will meet for 35. Advisory time will be shortened as well, likely to around two times per week, and large gatherings such as form meetings will move online.
Arrival and dismissal will not permit parents, guardians, caregivers, and visitors into school buildings. They will be allowed on campus for pick-up or drop-off at designated locations and entrances (with social distancing).
Cafeteria and dining will look completely different. Because there is little room for social distancing in the cafeteria, students will eat meals in advisory rooms or another predetermined location. Lunch meals will be individually packaged – grab-and-go meals in disposable containers. All food and beverages will be provided by cafeteria staff. Efforts will be made to lessen sharing of supplies and materials and all that must be shared will be wiped with antimicrobial cleaning wipes between use.
While some are cautiously optimistic, others feel unsettled. This week, the week of July 27th, time has been set aside for a series of “town hall meetings,” divisional meetings, department meetings and human resources meetings to better understand the concerns and reservations. Parents heard from Upper School Principal Nigel Furlonge, Kyle Wilkie-Glass, and Jeannie Crowley.
Each administrator spoke on the hyflex model, and how it was different from a hybrid model. Students who are not present in the classroom are learning simultaneously with those who are, instead of having separate classes for the students who are online. Administrators also discussed the ventilation systems that will be installed to meet NYC regulations, as well as an increase in hands-free materials like automatic water bottle fillers. Objects that require many students to touch, like doors, will have sanitizer close by to insure little spread of germs.
It has been confirmed that in the Upper School, Week A will be students with the last name A-K, and Week B will be all students with the last name L-Z. A sample schedule was provided for parents to see, which looked fairly similar to the former one with some modifications. Administrators wanted to make sure that there was little “down time” for students, as they should not have a reason to wait on campus if they don’t have a class.
Tom Christensen, the head of the Music Department explained his plan for how the hyflex model will look for him. “All of the music teachers have been looking into various online tools,” explained Christensen. “One is called Smart Music, the other is called Noteflight…we can use [these] to engage students when they are not in the classroom.” “I’m looking to make music as adaptable as possible,” he said, “trying to be sensitive to how students learn, and their level of comfort with technology.” Christensen continued to explain how wind instruments or singing requires students to remain 12 feel apart, an additional six from academic classes or other music programs like percussion and electronic music.
Though it will be difficult to come back after months away from campus, Fieldston is planning to make a smooth and careful transition in the fall. Plans may still fluctuate due to the unknowns of the virus, but Fieldston remains optimistic during this time. With school just over a month away, students will receive their schedules the week of August 3rd.
