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Originally delivered on 5/13/2020 9:03 am

SUBJECT: Remote Learning Task Force Meeting - May 8, 2020 Meeting Summary


 

Remote Learning Task Force

May 8, 2020 Meeting Summary

 

Hello Heath School Families,

Please complete a PSB Parent/Guardian Survey on Remote Learning (complete a separate survey for each child). It's critical that the district hears from you about your experience with remote learning so they can identify what's working and what needs to be improved. The survey is open until 5:00 pm on Friday, May 15.

The Brookline School Committee's Ad Hoc Remote Learning Task Force had another meeting on May 8, 2020. Here is my summary of the main points:

  1. Updated Guidance and Learning Expectations - The district posted updated remote learning guidance and learning expectations (https://sites.google.com/psbma.org/psbextendedlearning/home/remote-learning-guidance). The site includes sections on teaching and learning approaches, student feedback, and other important aspects of remote learning.
  2. Parent/Guardian Survey - The district is conducting a survey of family experiences with remote learning. The survey was emailed to parents/guardians on Friday, May 8. Please participate (https://forms.gle/ugdax1a4r3JRAR5Q9) as the survey is a critical forum for the district to get feedback on how well remote learning is going across the district. Be sure to complete a separate survey for each child and complete the survey prior to 5:00 pm on Friday, May 15.
  3. Special Education Update - The task force received a brief update on the extent to which language pathologists in the district are currently using video, and how the district is working with them to do better. The task force plans to discuss more about special education services next week.
  4. Longer-Term Planning - The district has convened working groups tasked with doing summer planning, such as planning for extended school year services. The district is also convening a working group to begin longer-term planning for the new school year in the Fall. Each working group is planning for three possible scenarios: (1) all in-person instruction; (2) all remote instruction; and (3) a hybrid of in-person and remote instruction.

The next Task Force meeting is scheduled for this Friday May 15 (https://www.brooklinema.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=8202). Thank you to the parents that have contacted me and shared their perspective. If you would like to share your perspective that would be relevant to the Task Force, please do reach out to me by email (esilk@me.com).

 

Sincerely,

Eli Silk, Heath School Parent Representative

 

** NOTE: Remote learning—and today’s home, school, and work environment more generally—presents a range of unexpected challenges that are unprecedented in our lifetimes. All stakeholders in our school district are working hard to serve our students as best they can, but the challenges are complex and the situation is continually evolving. The latest Remote Learning Task Force meeting was 90 minutes and included substantive discussions on a range of topics, but because the Heath PTO wants to keep you informed while respecting that you have many important issues seeking your attention, this summary is necessarily brief and simplified. If you would like to learn more, there is additional information and links below so that you can dive in further. **


Want to dive in further? Here are some useful links for diving in further:

 



Heath School PTO
100 Eliot Street
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
HeathPTO.org