By Nicole Manning
Since public school is set to officially start on September 21, 2020, many students are preparing for this abnormal year by grappling with the many changes and all the new rules to be followed. It is going to be a while before school returns to “normal,” or when the routine interactions we are used to when going to school become acceptable again. Here is what we know so far:
Important Dates for September
— September 16-18 (Wednesday-Friday): Orientation starts for all Highschool students, EVERYONE WILL BE FULLY REMOTE, NO ONE IS COMING INTO THE SCHOOL BUILDING. It will be a half-day, with a chance for one to get to know their teacher(s), manage expectations, etc.
—September 21(Monday): Official first day of blended learning (PLEASE COME ON YOUR DESIGNATED DAY IF YOU ARE PARTICIPATING IN HYBRID LEARNING). Your official schedule has been posted on PupilPath. Please check online and not the app to get your schedule. TALK TO YOUR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR SCHEDULE.
—September 28 — Yom Kippur, School is closed
Is your child going to be 100% safe from COVID-19?
-It was made clear multiple times during the school’s townhall meeting that it’s not guaranteed that your child will be 100% safe from COVID-19 if they enter the school building.
– The only way it will be guaranteed is if you select 100% remote learning for your child.
– During the town hall it was stated, “An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and students with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable.”
– Many students and teachers at MCSM have underlying health conditions, so it’s very important that you follow the safety protocols in place. HAVE CONSIDERATION FOR OTHERS.
Safety Procedures
– Wear your mask at all times unless seated or eating.
– Follow the direction of traffic markers on the walls and on the floor.
– Maintaining social distance of 6ft apart.
– Enter and exit the classroom on the correct sides.
– Keep your body parts to yourself.
– You will be putting on hand sanitizer before you enter the classroom.
– Wiping down the desk when you come into the classroom and before you exit the classroom.
– You cannot enter the classroom with a temperature over 100.4
Health Screening Survey
Devices and Technology
—THERE WILL BE NO HANDOUTS or TEXTBOOKS, EVERYTHING WILL BE DIGITAL (If you happen to still have a textbook from last year, there will be a designated Dropbox when you return to school. If you are a fully remote student hang onto it until there is a designated time for you to come pick up your belongings)
– This link gets your iPad ready for the programs and other resources for the upcoming blended school year
– One must have a NYCSA( New York City Student Account). If you are having trouble logging in or need a code contact Ms. Valle at Mvalle@schools.nyc.gov or Ms.Santiago at ZSantiago@schools.nyc.gov
Schedule, Blended Learning and Reporting to School
– Group A starts live instruction on September 21
– Group B starts live instruction on September 22
– Group C starts live instruction on September 23
– ONLY ENTER THE SCHOOL BUILDING ON YOUR DESIGNATED DAY
– You will receive a sticker for your ID(WHICH NEEDS TO BE WORN ALL TIMES), you must enter the building through your designated entrance.
– You may only enter the building once, you will not be able to re-enter.
– Students will receive a metrocard on the first day of blended learning, whichever day you attend.
– If you have a problem with your schedule and want to add or drop classes please speak to your guidance counselor.
Calendar and Bell Schedule
—One cannot choose their group/days. The schedules and number of students in the building has already been decided, PLEASE REMEMBER TO COME ONLY ON YOUR DESIGNATED DAY!!!!
Q&A for 100% Remote Students
1. Will I miss out on anything by being remote? —No everybody will be having the same experience, even if one student is at home and one is at school.
2. Will I have the same teachers as blended learning students? — Yes, everyone will have the same teachers, hybrid or remote.
3. Will I be able to join clubs? — Clubs will be 100% virtual for blended or full remote students, MCSM is deciding when to do the club fair
4. Will I be able to go to tutoring? — Tutoring will be 100% virtual as well.
– KEEP IN MIND IT IS HARDER TO GO FROM REMOTE TO BLENDED, THAN IT IS TO GO FROM BLENDED TO REMOTE
Classroom and School Building Setup Design for the 2020-2021 School Year
– It depends on the size of the classroom, but there will never be more that 12 student in a classroom, during any period.
– Students will be sitting 6-ft away from each other, never in groups.
– STUDENTS MUST KEEP THEIR MASK ON AT ALL TIMES AND REMAIN SEATED FOR THE ENTIRE PERIOD
– There will be no SOCIALIZATION in the hallways or any physical spaces on campus.
– THERE WILL BE NO HALLWAY LOCKERS THIS YEAR (As for items left in your locker from last year, there will be assigned times for both blended and fully remote students to pick up their belongings)
College Admissions and Senior Activities
– All senior activities such as prom, field trips, dining events, are currently on hold until we are able to schedule large person events.
– Yearbooks will still be published.
– Hoodies will still be made.
– MCSM is interested in hearing from seniors about fun remote events.
– College admissions process will be mostly fully remote, however there will br a full-time college advisor.
Physical Education
– Your physical education teacher will go into more detail on how your classes will go
– There will be no locker rooms or changing for PE so MCSM is asking students to come in comfortable active wear.
Clubs, Tutoring, Prep Classes, Freshman Seminar
– All clubs and tutoring sessions will be remote
– While the dates for tutoring are still being decided, the times will likely be from 5pm-7pm
– Mandatory SAT practice will happen remotely for all 11th graders, a schedule will be provided on September 15th
– Freshman Seminar will be remote for all 9th graders a schedule will be provided on September 15
Lunch
– No student will have a specific lunch period.
– There will be no leaving the building for lunch, or food delivered to the building.
– You will eat lunch in your 4th or 5th period class.
– NO EATING OR DRINKING IN THE HALLWAYS OR STAIRWELLS.
– Only remove your mask to eat during breakfast and lunch.
If anyone violates the safety protocols for COVID-19, they will be forced into remote learning and not allowed access into the building.