May 18
Dear Families,
As we valiantly come to the end of the school year together--just 3 weeks away!--our gaze shifts to the longer horizon of the fall opening of Friends School of Portland. We have been watching with interest the early examples of Danish and German independent schools and staying abreast of CDC guidelines for schools, as well as decision trees for reopening preschools and schools.
We are taking other steps to inform our scenario modeling for next year:
weekly meetings with heads of Quaker schools country-wide
consulting with health care experts with ties to our school
convening a task force to examine special guidance around opening the preschool
conversations among faculty around how different scenarios will affect programs
These connections have helped staff, board, and health consultants to map out the basic pieces we'll need to have in place for the 2020-21 school year:
School Calendar
Striking a balance to reopen safely and strive for as many at-school weeks as possible, we intend to begin school a week earlier than usual (Monday, August 31). Though our priority is to maximize in-school learning, we will be prepared for periodic closures as mandated by state and local authorities. FSP will decide, based on the timing of the closure, what, if any of that time will be used for at-home learning or "vacation" time. A minimum of 6 weeks will be available for recouping some, hopefully all, of that time, making the last day of school Friday, July 2) if needed.
We have ability to respond to whatever safety guidelines that come from the Maine Department of Education and ME CDC, including the following possibilities:
1. With plenty of physical space, especially with the new middle school wing and small class sizes, classrooms will learn and play together, with limited mixing with other classes. In the early childhood rooms, a low density model will prevail, with social distancing through increased spacing at work at the other levels.
2. It is becoming clear that one of the safest places to be is outside. We envision special outdoor spaces for each classroom to use for lunch, play, and learning.
3. Intensified hygiene practices such as hand washing and possible face covering protocols for staff and visitors. Greeting children in designated areas each morning will allow for health screening (including temperature checks) and communication with parents about their child.
4. Intensified daily cleaning and disinfection of the school. (The Passive-House certification of FSP ensures ventilation systems are excellent, exchanging air fully every 20minutes.)
When we must go into at-home learning mode, families can once again expect synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities. Early in the school year, children will become familiar with the basics of technology and etiquette to smooth the transition from school to home. FSP will be using various forms of assessment earily in the school year to determine what plans to put in place for students needing extra support. Because teachers will continue to work full time and because of the preponderance of fixed costs of running a school--and because of weeks we will add to the school calendar-- families cannot expect a tuition reduction.
It is, of course, not possible to know just what the situation will look like 3 months from now. We await new guidance from the Maine Department of Education, will continue to stay informed about Covid-19 cases and work diligently as a staff to have the school well organized to receive your children and give them the best education and care we are capable of next year and beyond.
Please do reach out to me with your questions.
Sincerely,
Jenny
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Jenny Rowe
Head of School