NORTHFIELD — While the past month has proven to be a difficult time filled with rapidly changing information, the Pioneer Valley Regional School District is working to provide support for families coping with the “new normal” of having their children do schoolwork at home.

Superintendent Jonathan Scagel said the district will not be back in school until at least May 4, with a real possibility of not returning at all this year. Families, teachers and staff are adjusting to learning and working from home, new child care and elder care realities, and closed businesses.

“As I reflect on the craziness of the situation, and how things were literally changing by the minute, the one thing that stayed constant was all of our staff, and the professionalism and dedication they have to our students and families,” Scagel said.

Administrative staff, teachers and fellow district employees have worked to transition to remote learning models, which kicked off last week. Though schools are closed, Scagel said teachers are in touch with one another almost daily to discuss lesson planning. Students remain connected to their friends and classmates via video chats.

While lessons will be different for at least the next month, Scagel said the “PVRSD spirit” will follow district members wherever they are. The district is looking into ways to keep traditions alive as they think of seniors who fear missing out on prom and graduation.

“Despite the turmoil and challenge, uncertainty and disconnection, please know the whole Pioneer district family is in this together, and we will continue to support each other, our towns and communities,” Scagel said.

He said the administrative team, the Pioneer Valley Regional Education Association and the Pioneer Valley Association of Support Professionals developed guidelines for remote learning, which can be found at pvrsdk12.org.

Remote learning, Scagel said, is not synonymous with online learning. It encourages students to engage with resources in their everyday lives and the natural world around them. While technology can be a tool, he said it’s important to consider ways student learning can continue offline through hands-on projects and outdoor activities.

“DESE (the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) recommends that districts support students to engage in meaningful and productive learning for approximately half the length of a regular school day,” Scagel explained. “We are currently in uncharted waters and we are all in the midst of figuring out how to navigate our way. Remote learning is in no way an attempt to create a ‘business as usual’ atmosphere. The goal is to keep connections with students and maintain some level of normalcy during this incredibly difficult time.”

This learning is a combination of educator-directed learning and self-directed student work. Teachers post assignments in weekly increments to allow for flexibility for students and families to complete them.

District teams will also be created for the purpose of collaboration, to provide equity and flexibility of the workload, and to provide grade level continuity for students. Scagel said this will also provide support to staff, should a member of a district team fall ill and be unable to work.

According to Scagel, there will be one team for each Pioneer Valley Regional School grade, and one team for Advanced Placement (AP) students. Elementary teams will be: preschool and kindergarten, first and second grade, third and fourth grade, and fifth and sixth grade. Elementary specialist teachers (art, music, physical education) will form a team to collaborate on activities and scheduling. Elective teachers at Pioneer will join grade level teams and integrate content within the grade level projects.

“We do need to practice social distancing,” Scagel said, “but this does not have to end our solidarity.”

Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.