North Andover Schools Make Hybrid Learning Cohort Assignments

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — North Andover Public Schools have sent out cohort assignment to district families ahead of the Sept. 16 start of school, Superintendent Gregg Gilligan said in a letter to the school community Monday.

The teachers began professional development Monday, and the "Parent University" will begin later this week, Gilligan said. The parent university will provide families with information on remote learning, technology and more.

Negotiations with the teachers union are still ongoing, the letter notes. In neighboring Andover, negotiations have become highly contentious, with teachers refusing to enter buildings and the district calling their move an "illegal work stoppage." Teacher assignments and schedules are expected at the beginning of next week, Gilligan said.

North Andover is planning to reopen using a "hybrid model" where students spend two days per week learning in person. Most students were divided into two cohorts, which will attend in person either Monday and Thursday or Tuesday and Friday.

Just over 14 percent of students opted to learn fully remotely through the online learning academy, administrators told the School Committee at their meeting, Thursday. Another group of students, with high needs, will spend more days per week learning in person.

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