Mayfield City Schools News Article

A Letter from Superintendent Keith Kelly - Remote Online Learning only for the first 9 weeks of 2020-21 school year

MAYFIELD CITY SCHOOLS / REMOTE TO LEARN 2020 

July 31, 2020 
Dear Mayfield City Schools Parents, Students, Teachers and Staff, 

I hope this communication finds you well. 

Based on the recommendation we have received from the Cuyahoga County Board of Health (see the link below) Mayfield City Schools WILL ONLY OFFER Remote Online Learning for students for the start of the 2020-21 school year. This includes the  Preschool, Excel TECC and CEVEC programs. The Preschool, Excel TECC and CEVEC directors will be providing you with details.  

No in-person instruction will be available, at this time, for at least the first quarter (9 weeks). 
 If pandemic conditions change, we will pivot to our in-person and remote learning options as previously planned. 

It also saddens me to inform you that the County Board of Health has recommended extracurricular activities including athletics be cancelled in the interest of health and safety. Therefore, extracurricular activities and sports seasons are cancelled effective immediately. This will be the case as long as we are in a full remote learning scenario. The Western Reserve Conference, which consists of school districts from Cuyahoga, Geauga and Lake counties, is reviewing the situation. I will communicate more about this in the coming weeks.  
 We are in discussions with the County Board of Health to understand the criteria they are using to determine when schools can resume in-person learning. I will update you with that information in a future communication. 

The COVID-19 pandemic changes rapidly. The health and safety of our students, teachers, staff and community remains our first priority while we continue to advance the learning.
 The Mayfield City Schools 2020-21 calendar and schedule remains the same as if we were teaching and learning together in person. Mayfield City  learning thanks to the All-Access Learning model we began in 2018. 

The Mayfield staff will report to our schools, adhere to all safety protocols, conduct lessons and guide remote learning in real time. The district will use See-Saw for Pre-K to 2nd grade and Schoology for grades 3-12 as our virtual classroom. Information about how to access these platforms will be shared in the next several weeks. Students will connect with our teachers and access our curriculum using their Chromebooks or tablet. 

SCHEDULE
 Our school year calendar and start/bell times remain as last communicated with some adjustments to the week of August 17-24. Our talented staff did a tremendous job amidst difficult circumstances last spring which ensures an improved remote  learning plan. 
 August 12 - 14 
 Staff will report on August 12, 13 and 14 for professional development. This is a routine period of professional development which is critical to our preparation. 
 August 17-21 
 The week of August 17-21 will be used to academically assess, transition, conduct vision/hearing screenings and acclimate particular groups of students to remote technologies. These services will take place in our own facilities while adhering to all safety protocols, distancing and mask requirements. Information from your building principal will follow. If you are not comfortable sending your students to our facilities for these services let your principal know and we will accommodate you.
 A more detailed schedule outlining the remote school day will be shared from the building principals soon.  

REMOTE ONLINE LEARNING
 GRADES K-8: 
 A Mayfield Teacher will be assigned and work with students daily

=       A schedule for face-to-face instruction, small group work, individual conferencing and self-paced  learning   will be established

=       Mayfield Curriculum will be used

=       Mayfield technology and supporting platforms will be leveraged

=       Connection to the school will be important as feasible

=       We will remain responsive and flexible knowing this is a difficult decision

=       Daily attendance will be taken and required

=       Grading policies and practices will be the same as the traditional classroom

GRADES 9-12:
 A Mayfield teacher will be assigned to work with students daily

=       A schedule of face-to-face instruction, small group, individual conferencing and self-paced learning will be established

=       Students will have access to the core via virtual instruction (math, science, social studies and English)

=       Mayfield Curriculum will be used

=       Mayfield technology and supporting platforms will be leveraged

=       Excel TECC students will complete core academic classes remotely. 

=       Elective classes and other courses will need to be determined based on the class, enrollment and situation (the High School will work with students on this)

=       We will remain responsive and flexible knowing this is a difficult decision

=       Daily attendance will be taken and required

=       Grading policies and practices will be the same as the traditional classroom 

START/BELL TIMES 
 Elementary  8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
 Middle School  8:11 AM - 3:05 PM
 High School   8:10 AM - 3:00 PM
 Preschool
 AM Class: 7:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. 
 PM Class: 10:50 a.m.  - 1:20 p.m.
 Full Day: 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 

DEVICE ROLL OUT August 10-14, 2020
 At the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year, all students in grades 2 through 12 will have received a Chromebook completing our overall student device deployment. 
 Devices for students in Grades 2,3,4, 5 and 9 will be distributed August 10-14, 2020 from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. during curbside pickup at the front loop of Mayfield High School. Parents must have electronically signed the 1:1 device agreement by August 7th prior to picking up their students’ device. If you have questions about devices or the  device agreement, please email [email protected] 

The recommendation from the County Board of Health is not a recommendation that we can ignore.  Fortunately, Mayfield’s teachers and staff are well prepared to adjust because of our advanced planning, training and cutting-edge technology. Additionally, we are prepared for this scenario because of the expertise, talent and care that our staff exhibits for our students.  

The Cuyahoga County Board of Health are the health experts and we have adhered and will continue to adhere to their guidance and mandates throughout this pandemic. As I have communicated in the past, I have heard and read  the spectrum of science, opinions and beliefs regarding this pandemic as well as what should and what should not  be done regarding schools. I fully understand and share your frustrations. The bottom line is this, I cannot in good conscience regardless of the spectrum of opinions bring thousands of students back to school when the County Board of Health says it is unsafe to do so. 

Respectfully, I ask for your support and trust during these difficult times. Regardless of opinion, we must come together. 
 Be well.  

Dr. Keith Kelly
 Superintendent 

Reference:
 CUYAHOGA COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH JULY 30 RECOMMENDATION


Mayfield City Schools - Every Student. Every Day.

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