Andover School Officials Present Hybrid Reopening Plan

ANDOVER, MA — Andover school officials presented details on the district's hybrid reopening model at Thursday's school committee meeting, ahead of the committee's decision.

The committee voted to set Sept. 16 as the district's start date. The Andover School Committee is scheduled to vote on the reopening plans, Monday.

The district has planned a hybrid model where students would spend two days per week learning in person and the other three learning remotely, Assistant Superintendent Sandra Trach. Students would be split into two cohorts, one of which would spend Monday and Tuesday in person and the other Thursday and Friday. The two cohorts would learn together on Wednesdays.

The full meeting video is available here, from AndoverTV.

The remote cohort would learn mostly asynchronously, Trach said.

Over 20 percent of parents said their children would learn remotely if the district uses a hybrid model, according to survey results from Aug. 3 to 6. The remote learning academy would have a similar schedule to the hybrid model and would have live instruction, attendance and grading.

Trach's presentation included specific sample schedules for hybrid learning, as well as school days.

District officials tried to come up with a plan to have kindergarten to grade two students come in daily, but found it was very difficult to meet six foot distancing, so they recommend a hybrid model for those students as well, Trach said. The hybrid model allows for sufficient distancing at lunch, mask breaks and other times, she explained.

The district is also recommending that there be no bus transportation for students above grade six, due to the distancing requirements for transportation.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.