Wilmington School Officials Recommend Hybrid Reopening

WILMINGTON, MA — Wilmington school officials are planning a hybrid reopening model for the fall where students spend two days per week in school.

Superintendent Glenn Brand shared an update on the district's planning Thursday, outlining current conditions, the likely hybrid schedule and other details. Brand explained that the district does

The district is planning an "AA BB" schedule above kindergarten, where students are split into two cohorts to attend in person Monday and Thursday or Tuesday and Friday. All students would learn remotely, together, on Wednesdays.

Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs would be half-day, with morning and afternoon groups.

The Wilmington School Committee will vote Tuesday on the district's plan, which will then be submitted to the state. The committee will also decide on the start date, which will be no earlier than Sept. 16.

Brand's full presentation is available here, via WCTV.

In the hybrid model, some high needs students would spend more days in school, while all families could also opt to have their students learn remotely. Whenever possible, Wilmington Public Schools teachers will teach students who opt to learn remotely.

The district could be forced to go fully remote based on virus conditions, in which case students would stay with their hybrid model teachers, Brand said. Issues including staffing levels could also make a hybrid model impossible.

In the hybrid model, the schools will operate as close as possible to a regular schedule, with masks, handwashing and other alterations. At home days will be a combination of assignments and new learning, possibly including physical materials.

Remote learning, either for the opt-in remote learners or for the entire district, will be strengthened relative to the spring. It will emulate the hybrid model's schedule and include grading, attendance and live video sessions.

All students will be required to wear masks at school, Brand said.

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

An earlier version of this story gave an incorrect hybrid schedule. It has been corrected.