CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Maryvale School District announced Tuesday it is accelerating the implementation of its hybrid model.
The district, which was one of the first to announce a fully remote start to the school year, previously announced it would remain fully remote until at least November 30 but that timeline has now changed.
According to the district, the previous decisions were made with the following factors in mind:
- Public health conditions and data.
- The availability of PPE.
- The capacity for individuals to be tested and for contact tracing to occur in a timely manner that limits risk for close contacts of symptomatic or suspected symptomatic individuals.
- The ability of the district to staff all classes.
- The ability to transport students to and from the buildings.
In the announcement made Tuesday the district said the issues surrounding those factors have evolved to the point where it can accelerate its timeline to begin its hybrid model.
The district specifically said:
- The COVID data in Erie County has fluctuated, but has remained at a level that we can safely open up according to the parameters contained in our Reopening Plan- especially since the ECDOH has just announced less than a week ago (9/30/20) that rapid testing is now available for schools- this is very important.
- We have all of the necessary PPE- desk shields, masks, hand sanitizer, etc.
- As of today, we are able to staff all classes.
- First Student has indicated that they are ready and able to transport our students.
The plan for the implementation of the hybrid model is now:
- PK-5th Grade: Students start Monday, November 2nd
- 6th- 12th Grade: Students start Monday, November 16th
The district said although the process is being accelerated it does not mean it will be exempt from dealing with COVID-19.
"Let me be clear though: Despite our effective preparation and readiness, when we do move to hybrid- whether that is Nov. 2 or any time after that- we will NOT be exempt from dealing with COVID in our schools and community. When issues do arise, we will deal with them both as outlined in our plans and also consistent with current DOH guidelines in order to keep all of our stakeholders as safe as possible."
The district will host a series of town halls to inform parents of what the plans are within the hybrid model, they are scheduled as follows:
- Primary: Oct. 14th
- Intermediate: Oct. 15th
- Middle: Oct. 26th
- High: Oct. 27th
"When parents hear the details of these hybrid models, they will have one week to notify the buildings if they are requesting fully remote until the end of January, at which time they will be given another opportunity to either return to hybrid or remain remote until the end of the school year" the district says.
