Dear Port Jervis Learning Community,
The transition to four days of in-person learning for grades K-8 has exceeded expectations. It is exciting to have our students in the classrooms, engaging with their peers, and receiving the increasingly effective model of instruction and support.
The next phase of the transition away from the cohort model will take place on Monday, March 22, with our students in grades 9-12 beginning the four days per week model. We are certain that this transition will also meet our expectations.
As a result of many of our classrooms having 80 - 100% of the students attending in-person learning, inevitably there will be an increased focus on the in-person learning opportunities for our students. As we complete this transition, please note the following important items to further ensure our students will be successful:
If the student has selected “In-person Learning”:
- It is expected that the student attends school each day that in-person instruction is provided.
- If there is an isolated circumstance that results in the student being unable to attend school on a given day, the student may access the Google Classroom to participate in the learning process using the remote model for that day.
- For this example, the student will be marked present for this date if the school receives communication from the parent explaining the reason for the absence from in-person learning.
- If the student is unable to participate in the learning activities, the student will be marked absent for this date.
- The remote learning option should only be used in isolated instances to allow for learning to continue despite being unable to attend school on a particular day.
If the student has selected “Remote Only Learning”:
- It is expected that the student will access the Google Classroom and Google Meet(s) following the schedule they have used throughout the school year.
- It is expected that the student will log on and actively participate in the class discussions and all classwork per the schedule established by the teacher(s).
- If the student does not follow the schedule and participate in the learning activities as established by the teacher, the student will be marked absent for this date.
- Following an absence from Remote Learning, the parent should communicate the reason for the absence to the school.
Wednesdays:
- For the time being, we will continue to use Wednesdays as a means to provide a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning activities and supports to all students.
- All students are expected to follow the schedule of activities and learning experiences as established by their teacher(s). If the student does not follow the schedule and participate in the learning activities as established by the teacher, the student will be marked absent for this date.
- A plan to transition to five days per week of in-person instruction is being finalized and will be communicated with the learning community in a timely manner to allow for planning and adjustments, as needed.
This transition to four days per week of in-person instruction represents a great opportunity for our students and our learning community. As a reminder, Port Jervis City School District follows all health and safety protocols as outlined by the New York State Department of Health and we remain steadfast in our position that the optimal location for learning is in the classroom. Therefore, students that previously selected the “Remote Only Model” continue to have the option to return to the “In-Person Learning Model.” Please contact your child’s school counselor or building principal to further discuss our safety protocols and educational benefits of in-person learning.
Thank you for the continued patience and support.
Mike Rydell
Superintendent of Schools