The COVID-19 Pandemic has certainly affected all aspects of our lives. As we continue to navigate our way through the pandemic and beyond, we must do so in a deliberate and intentional manner to meet the needs of our students, families, and staff. In August of 2018, the SEL Board of Education adopted Destination 2023, the district’s strategic plan. While we remain committed to the plan, we realize the pandemic has caused us to respond to the pandemic, rebuild areas adversely affected, and address areas of growth that will forever change how we operate as a school community.
The RRR Action plan is an addendum to Destination 2023 and will be used to guide our efforts:
To coordinate reopening, recovery, and revitalization efforts. It will aim to articulate SEL Schools’ response to different areas affected by the pandemic.
To facilitate discussion and provide decision makers with common language for phases and/or paths taken.
The action plan will be used as a roadmap that can be modified to meet the duration of phases and outcomes.
Outcomes of the RRR Action Plan will be:
Reopen all aspects of our schools in a safe manner.
Reinvent ourselves to better position our district post pandemic.
Rescale areas to accelerate newfound growth.
The plan is broken down into three phases. Each phase will be implemented over the next several years, where at times, phases will also overlap. The focus of each phase is defined below:
Reopen: This phase will focus on reopening schools safely while minimizing the resurgence of the virus (school-base, facilities, events, various stakeholder groups, etc.). Continuity Plan addressed in this phase.
Recovery: This phase will focus on areas adversely affected by the pandemic. The goal of this phase is to move beyond Pre-COVID levels. Extending Learning Plans and Continuity Plans are addressed in this phase.
Revitalization: The focus of this phase is to capitalize on newfound growth, those irreversible and transformative changes that will create new opportunities for our students and our families that will move our district forward.
Learning Recovery, Acceleration, and Assessment
It is anticipated that as more students return to school there will be a wider than usual range of learning needs to be bridged by instruction, learning, and support. Additionally, school-based positive mental health and well-being is essential to a safe and healthy return to school.
We will address learning loss through acceleration. A flexible learning approach will allow the implementation of accelerated learning to vary according to the needs of the students, the school schedule, and available resources.
Schools will need to plan for varying lengths of time, as well as diverse models and strategies to accelerate learning, depending on student needs, grade levels, subject areas, and school contexts.
Shared Priorities
As we work to respond, rebuild and revitalize our district, it is important to remember our shared priorities and responsibilities. Collaboration among everyone within the school community is essential for successful recovery learning and must continue across all phases.
Together we will:
Discuss and acknowledge the diverse experiences of all learners and educators over the past year.
Understand that many students will have gaps in their knowledge after an extended period of remote learning.
Establish positive, supportive, consistent, and predictable daily routines and expectations.
Recognize the holistic needs of students, especially those who are identified as most affected by school closures and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Respond to the reality that there is no one-size-fits-all “recovery learning” program or package.
Meet students where they are in their learning process and provide additional support to students as required.
Intentionally address the well-being of students and staff.
Communicate with families to gain insights about student experiences with learning from home and support transition planning.
Plan in collaboration with students, parents and guardians, classroom teachers, and school teams.
Plan for timelines based on the unique circumstances of the community and dependent on the individual needs, models, and strategies for recovery learning and beyond.
Ensure that education support services continue in-person and/or remotely.
Demonstrate a positive approach to recovery learning that promotes future success.