GREENFIELD — Kindergartners and first- through fourth-graders will return to in-person learning on April 5, while fifth-graders and middle-schoolers will follow shortly after on April 28.
Greenfield School Department Interim Superintendent Judith Houle presented the plan to the School Committee Wednesday night, saying she’ll know better by the end of April when high school students might return.
“Parents can choose to keep their children home for remote learning until the end of the year, but that won’t be an option in the fall,” she said.
So far, Houle said, high-needs students have returned to in-person learning and that has gone well. She said two sports began being played recently — football and soccer — and the Greenfield High School AV Club has asked that it be allowed to meet in person at the school.
Currently, and when all students and staff return, everyone will be required to wear a mask, wash and sanitize their hands regularly, practice social distancing and stay home if they feel ill.
The county’s health officials began vaccinating educators and school staff members on Thursday, so most should have both shots by sometime in late April or in May. The district is also evaluating classroom configurations to make sure there is plenty of distance between students and between teachers and students.
“We have teams meeting in each school to make sure all protocols are being followed,” Houle said.
The district will also install air purifiers and check its heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Grab-and-go meals will be served — details are currently being worked out about where students will eat.
Cleaning protocols are being put in place, she said, and pooled COVID-19 testing will be set up. Everyone will be tested once a week, and there will be a couple of days a week when that testing will happen.
“We’re also making plans for transportation,” she said. “Buses can now run at full capacity, but everyone will have to wear a mask, there will be assigned seating and windows will have to remain open, so for the first few weeks students should dress in warm clothes.”
Houle said administrators will ask that students and staff practice COVID-19 safety outside of school as well, to prevent any outbreaks.
A survey, which received more than 600 responses from parents, will also help the schools plan reopening.
“While it’s estimated that 45 percent of elementary school students are expected to return to in-person learning, 24 percent of families are saying their children will remain remote,” Houle said. Seventeen percent of parents are undecided and 14 percent said it’s likely their children will return, but they haven’t decided yet.
Houle said 37 percent of parents expect social distancing and mask wearing if they’re going to send their children back to school, and 28 percent said they need an “all clear” from health experts to do so. Twenty-two percent said they’d like to see a hybrid model, but Greenfield does not intend to offer that option.
She said 49 percent of parents plan to transport their children to school, while 18 percent will have their children ride a bus and 12 percent will walk to school.
Parents and caregivers also said they would like the district to hold public forums to inform families about what to expect and what is expected of them.
“I’ll be sending out additional surveys, we’ll be holding public forums and virtual tours, and doing what it takes to make people feel comfortable,” Houle said.
She said it’s possible that as temperatures rise and the weather gets better, schools will use outdoor space as much as possible.
“We have all hands on deck,” Houle said, “and we’re going to get this done.”
Reach Anita Fritz At 413-772-9591 Or Afritz@recorder.com.