2 Days in Person–2 Days Remote–1 Day hybrid
Calling it “The most complex opening of schools in our lifetime,” Yonkers Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Edwin Quezada released a plan to educate the 27,000 students in the YPS for the 2020-2021 school year.
Highlights of the plan inlcude, September 8th the first day of school. Most students will attend in person schooling 2 days per week, with 2 days of remote learning. The fifth day of the school week will be used for special ed. and multi-lingual learners, who will get a half day instruction, with the remainder of students learning online.
“Throughout the spring and summer, we remained steadfast on designing a reopening plan that addresses the collective needs of Yonkers Public Schools stakeholders, always with our students at the core of every decision. This plan was developed using the recommendations and feedback we received from the 2020 Reopen Yonkers Public Schools Planning Committees comprised of parents, students, teachers, administrators and staff as well as numerous virtual parent/guardian meetings and surveys offered to teachers, students and parents/guardians,” writes Quezada and YPS BOE President Rev. Steve Lopez.
“Our common goal is a safe, organized return to school for students, staff and families. Our priorities continue to be the health, safety and well-being
of everyone, robust teaching and learning and equity. The success of this plan relies on our strong partnerships within our community, the relentless commitment from every stakeholder and continuous communication.”
“Our comprehensive reopening plan aligns to the guidance from the New York State Education Department and the New York State Department of Health. As the status of the pandemic changes, we are prepared to modify student instruction in real time. In addition, the Plan will evolve through
collective feedback from all stakeholders. Yonkers Reopening Plan outlines three scenarios and for each scenario, support and training will be offered.
• In-Person Instruction that takes place in a school or on school grounds with a teacher(s) and peers.
• Hybrid Instruction whereby students are divided into 2 cohorts assigned by the District and each cohort will report to school on different days of the week.
– Each cohort will have 2 consecutive days of In-Person Instruction with teachers and peers and 2 consecutive days of Online Remote Instruction outside of a school building with or without a teacher and peers.
– On Wednesdays, all students will participate in Online Remote Instruction, except for Special Education ICT students and selected Multilingual learners who will receive a half-day of InPerson supplemental support.
In weeks where there is a holiday on Monday, Wednesdays will
follow the Monday schedule.
– Also on Wednesdays, additional cleaning will be done in all schools as well as professional development for staff.
• Online Remote Instruction is fully delivered outside of a school building and requires use of a technology device (e.g., laptop, notebook, iPad) and Internet. The District will continue to offer Laptops/Tablets, to families in need through our loaner program.
At this time, we can anticipate schools reopening with either a Hybrid or Online Remote Instructional scenario. To allow time to prepare for your childcare and other needs of your household for our September 8th first day of school, it is critically important to familiarize yourselves with these scenarios now!
Your continued partnership throughout the coming school is valued, needed and appreciated. There are enormous challenges before us in 2020. By working together, solutions driven by our students’ needs and our core values are attainable. This roadmap for the Yonkers Public Schools offers a path for sustaining our recognized outstanding student achievement in a large city school district. And, we will achieve this though equity and access for all children and employees,” end of Quezada-Lopez letter.
