Andover Schools Prioritizing In-School Learning For Fall Opening

ANDOVER, MA — Andover school officials called maximizing in-person learning the district's "goal for the fall," describing their plans to the Andover School Committee, Thursday.

Remote learning will in all scenarios be available to students who do not attend in person, for medical or other reasons, but the district is prioritizing in-person learning over hybrid and remote models.

The state is requiring all districts to submit in person, remote and hybrid plans by July 31. District officials described these plans as more of a "continuum," where the district's one plan has elements of all three. With the continuum in place, the district will be able to toggle between in-person, hybrid and remote models in response to needed school closures or heightened distancing.

Even with the in-person focus, universal attendance will be impossible, particularly at the high school level, while meeting health standards, officials said. The elementary and middle school have space for three feet distancing.

For remote learning, the district plans to use a learning management system called Schoology, which uses one login and integrates all the other tools the district has already used.

Transportation will present a particular issue, with four rounds of pickups and dropoffs, with 45 minute intervals, necessary to meet bus distancing guidelines.

The full meeting is available here from AndoverTV.

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