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Teaching and Learning

In an effort to assure high-quality teaching and learning a continuity of learning plan has been developed for the 2020-2021 school year. This plan considers and plans for teaching and learning in-person, remotely, and through hybrid models of instruction. Our plan assures that instruction is aligned with the New York State Learning Standards and assures equity as well as quality for all learners.

 All instruction in our district will be designed so that whether it is delivered in-person, remotely, or through a hybrid model due to a local or state school closure, there are clear, comprehensive, equitable and accessible learning opportunities for all students. Such opportunities will be aligned with state standards. Our plan is centered on Instruction and academic programming that includes regular and substantive interaction with an appropriately certified teacher regardless of the delivery method (e.g., in person, remote or hybrid). Our teaching and learning plan includes a clear communication plan for how students and their families/caregivers can contact the school and teachers with questions about their instruction and/or technology. This information will be accessible to all, available in multiple languages, widely disseminated, and include clear and multiple ways for students and families to contact schools and teachers in an effort to assure learning for all.

The school calendar includes four staff-only days before students arrive at school. Acknowledging the challenges that our teachers and staff have faced this spring delivering remote instruction under stressful circumstances, the district will focus these in-service days on providing support to staff in the areas of social-emotional health and technology integration.

As we enter the new school year, teachers will be encouraged to spend time building relationships, supporting students with the transition back to school, and teaching social distancing etiquette at developmentally appropriate levels. Our district will support teachers as we focus on developing relationships, establishing routines and supporting resilience in our students. 

When a remote or hybrid learning model is necessary, certain groups of students will be prioritized for in-person learning to the greatest extent possible. This includes, but is not limited to, our English language learner and some students with disabilities. Students with disabilities will include those who are in special class settings with significant academic and therapeutic needs.

Assessing student learning gaps or areas of need will be critical. Formative assessment before a unit of instruction to assess student understanding of pre-requisite skills will be common practice.

Acknowledging that the typical content in a given grade level or course may need to be adjusted, content will be prioritized to ensure that students receive instruction for the prioritized learning standards, key understandings, and skills necessary for students’ success in future study.

Grading practices will follow a standards-based framework designed to provide direct feedback regarding students’ mastery of course content.

Our Pre K providers will follow health and safety guidelines outlined in the NYSED guidance and required by the NYSDOH. The Pre K providers have a continuity of learning plan that addresses in-person, remote and hybrid models of instruction.

For information relating to teaching and learning in BOCES special education and Career and Technical Education programs, please see the WS BOCES website https://www.wsboces.org/

In-Person Instruction

Upon reopening, the number of students in each of our classrooms will be reduced to adhere to CDC guidance regarding proper social distancing. Class size will reflect the need to ensure that students’ desks/seats are positioned in accordance with social distancing guidelines.

Accommodating proper social distancing guidelines will necessitate the identification of additional rooms and common-area spaces that may be converted into elementary classrooms. 

All instruction will continue to be aligned to the New York State Learning Standards.

Our schools will minimize the movement of students. This potentially means having students eat lunch in their classroom instead of the cafeteria and eliminating assemblies, field trips and other large-group activities. Special-area subjects (e.g., art, music, physical education) may be pushed into the classroom. Whenever possible students will utilize outside space for physical education instruction. We will adhere to 12 feet between students when engaging in physical activity.

To the extent possible, students will remain in small cohorts if/when leaving the classroom, such as for recess or any necessary transition, so as to reduce their exposure to additional students.

For information on school schedules, visit the School Schedules sectionof our reopening plan: http://www.northport.k12.ny.us/district/school_reopening

Use of a consistent schedule across the district will provide all students with access to instruction that is aligned with the NYS standards. Schedules will also allow for extra help, if necessary, for all students K-12. 

For information about how in-person instruction information will be communicated to students and families, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of our reopening plan.

Remote/Hybrid Instruction

Given the possibility that communities may experience spikes in COVID-19 cases at any point during the school year, which may prompt short or long-term school closures, our district has developed a hybrid/blended learning model and schedule that can continue as is in a fully remote environment.

Instruction will not only focus on “core” subject areas to the exclusion of elective courses. Consideration has been given to prioritizing hands-on and lab-based activities while students are onsite in school buildings. All instruction will continue to be aligned to the New York State Learning Standards.

As noted previously, student schedules will remain the same whether instruction is in person or remote so that students do not encounter conflicts wherein synchronous lessons for different subjects are offered simultaneously.

Remote learning opportunities for secondary students will include a greater emphasis on synchronous instruction, with teachers finding ways to provide live instruction and lessons to students. Teachers will also utilize asynchronous methods of instruction for engaging students during remote learning.

To ensure high-quality remote learning experiences, we will standardize the use of a single online learning platform (Google Classroom), to the extent possible, and develop a common, coordinated set of guidelines for teachers to follow when using the platform with students.

For information on school schedules, visit the School Schedules section of our reopening plan.

ELEMENTARY HYBRID LEARNING MODEL

50% of K-5 students will be on campus learning, while 50% of students will be engaged in remote instruction.

Elementary class sizes in each school will be reduced to fewer than 20 students per classroom. Each classroom will be divided (by alpha) into 2 groups.

This will create 2 distinct cohort groups, referred to as Blue group and Gold group; each group will be on campus on an alternating basis, every other day.

When on campus (In-Person Instruction) students will follow their regular schedule for the entire day. Special area teachers will also go to classrooms to provide instruction and to minimize travel time in the hallways for students. Students will have their lunch in their classrooms and time for recess. Recess and PE will be outdoors as much as possible. 

When remote, students will:

Engage in daily synchronous lessons with a certified teacher. This will include a morning meeting, and lessons in Math and ELA

Work on assignments and/or online applications as assigned by classroom teacher

ELEMENTARY REMOTE LEARNING MODEL

All students will follow a distance learning program that is completely online. Students will engage in daily synchronous lessons with their classroom teacher.

Students will engage in weekly synchronous lessons in their special area classes, including: Art, Library, Music and PE

Students enrolled in specialized reading, Academic Intervention Services, Special Education services or Investigate Program, etc., will receive a schedule for synchronous learning sessions.

All subjects will be taught synchronously with Google Meet

  • Attendance will be required each day (details to follow)
  • Students will be required to participate in all Google Meet classes using their camera

SECONDARY HYBRID LEARNING MODEL

50% of 6-12 students will be on campus learning, while 50% of students will be engaged in remote instruction. Students will be on campus on an alternating basis, every other day. NMS and ENMS (grades 6-8) and Northport High School (grades 9-12) will split each grade’s student roster in half by schedule of individual courses. This will create 2 distinct groups, referred to as Blue Group and Gold Group.

When on campus (In-Person Instruction) students will follow a period-by-period schedule for the entire day.

In the hybrid model, students will:

  • Engage in online instruction when home.
  • Work on assignments and/or view the teacher posted lessons when home.

Attendance will be required each day regardless of the educational venue (home or in school).

SECONDARY REMOTE LEARNING FOR ALL STUDENTS

All students will follow a distance learning program that is completely online.

  • Students will follow a full-day schedule including electives (periods may be abbreviated to account for student screen time)
  • All subjects are taught synchronously with Google Meet (including electives)
  • Daily attendance is taken at the beginning of class
  • Students will be required to participate in all Google Meet classes with their video on at all times
  • Classes will take place during the regularly scheduled school hours (time is subject to change)
  • Breaks during the day or study halls, (lunch/free periods) will be offline

In each of the above models, curriculum will be accessible to all students and will be aligned with New York State Standards. 

For information about how remote/hybrid instruction information will be communicated to students and families, visit the Reopening Information section of our reopening plan.

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