Friday News - January 22, 2021

Friday, January 22, 2021


 

Hillcrest Elementary School

Friday News

January 22, 2021

 

Dear Hillcrest Families,

Thank you very much for your prompt responses to the Return to School Survey.  I have been reviewing this information and using it to finalize the details of our Hybrid Learning Model.  The proposed start date for Hybrid Learning is Monday, February 8th.  A detailed letter confirming your student’s cohort assignment will be mailed to you next Wednesday, January 27th.  In the meantime, I wanted to share a few key points of the Hybrid Model with you. 

In the Hybrid Model:

  • There will be four Cohorts: A, B, AB, and C

  • Cohort A

    • In-Person Learning on Monday and Tuesday

    • Remote Learning on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

  • Cohort B 

    • In-Person Learning on Thursday and Friday

    • Remote Learning on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

  • Cohort AB

    • In-Person Learning on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

    • Remote Learning on Wednesday

    • This is a smaller cohort based on specialized learning needs. 

  • Cohort C

    • Remote Learning Monday through Friday for Kindergarten & First Grade

    • Remote Learning Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for Preschoolers

 

  • Students in all cohorts will continue to be taught by their current classroom teacher.  Additional, familiar teachers will also be assisting in providing remote instruction to some students. For example, one of our reading teachers will provide some remote reading instruction to students in Cohort C. 

 

  • All students will be expected to wear masks while at school for in-person learning. This includes wearing a mask on the school bus and on the playground.  Students will be offered brief mask breaks outdoors and students will be able to remove their masks while eating breakfast or lunch. 

 

  • Hillcrest students will not be transporting their Chromebooks back and forth between home and school.  Chromebooks will remain at home for use on Remote Learning Days.  

 

  • During Remote Learning, it is expected that students keep their cameras on whenever possible.  It is challenging for teachers to engage students and monitor their progress when the camera is off.  We understand that there may be times when the camera should be turned off briefly due to background distractions.  We also understand that there may be extenuating circumstances that call for the camera to be turned off for longer periods.  If your student is unable to keep their camera on during the majority of their live learning sessions, please contact your child’s teacher so that they have a broader understanding and can offer support. 

PLEASE NOTE THESE IMPORTANT DATES 

  • Friday, January 29th -- GMRSD Turnaround Day -- NO SCHOOL

  • Tuesday, February 2nd -- School Council Meeting @ 3:30

  • Monday, February 8th -- Friends of Hillcrest Meeting @ 5:00

  • Monday, February 15th - Friday, February 19th -- School Vacation Week

Wishing you a wonderful weekend ---

Sarah Burstein

Sarah Burstein, Hillcrest Principal