July 22, 2020 | Our Process and Progress On a Return to School in the Fall

July 22, 2020 | Our Process and Progress to Return to School in the Fall

I want to thank you for your patience with me during last week’s gap in communication while our family settled into our new home in Lorain. It is always my intent to share updates at least on a weekly basis, but in between the move and some rapidly changing information regarding COVID-19, I wasn’t able to communicate as well as I would have liked.

While I’m playing catch up, I’d like to share some important information as it pertains to what’s happening now and what’s to come:

SCHOOL START DATE | One of the first questions I'm asked each day is whether we will be starting the school year "on time" -- meaning August 20th -- which is a start date that was approved before the COVID-19 pandemic changed our world. Unfortunately, the answer is: we don’t know yet. Our team needs to learn more before making that decision, and in order to learn more, we need to follow a process that includes input from staff, families, community partners and health experts.

Below is an illustration of the process we are taking. Although we are only about half-way through, we do have the time necessary to proceed without compromising the integrity of that process. Additional information about the steps we've taken and what we've learned is included below.

“Open with Care” STAFF SURVEY | As of the writing of this email, there were 958 responses to our staff survey regarding a return to school this fall -- which puts participation at nearly 100%. That feedback has provided invaluable insight into our needs and considerations moving forward. A summary of staff survey feedback can be found here: VIEW STAFF SURVEY FEEDBACK

For additional context, you can view last Monday’s board presentation regarding staff survey findings here: WATCH BOARD PRESENTATION

QUESTIONS TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION | Prior to the July 13th Board Meeting, several questions were submitted to which we promised a speedy reply. However, many of the questions don't have simple responses. In fact the more that we read through the questions, the more we realized that they were expressions of fear, and anxiety, and concern for the unknown that we are all facing right now. For this reason, instead of providing a tidy "Answers to Frequently Asked Questions" document online, we would like to host a virtual community conversation in the near future. We will share additional details as these plans are solidified.

“Open with Care” FAMILY SURVEY | As we continue to listen and learn, family feedback has been solicited in numerous ways. Staff played a huge part, reaching out by phone to 5,524 families over the past week. Families also provided feedback through the district HelpLine, and through an online survey, with well over 1,000 submissions collected in these ways. There were an additional 104 survey responses facilitated in Spanish, which has been incredibly helpful as we develop inclusive practices to best serve all of our families.

This week we are taking time to digest the volume of data that we have collected. We feel that since you’ve taken the time to share your thoughts with us, it’s our responsibility to return the gesture by carefully reading each submission, aggregating your comments into common themes and meditating on what we’ve learned.

At the same time, I fully appreciate that many of you are anxious about what to expect when returning to school; concerns which are heightened as surrounding districts begin to release their plans. Please understand that we will not launch a plan without following and honoring a process designed to help us understand more about our specific needs, especially when science and local conditions continue to be updated at such a rapid pace. The reality is, we cannot create a quality plan without listening to and learning from all of you.

That said, I will do a better job of keeping you up to speed on exactly where we are in the process.

Our leadership team - which includes members of our Board of Education, teaching staff, support staff, building level administrators, and health professionals from Mercy Hospital - will be working through family survey responses this week, and assuming our workgroups have everything they need to effectively finalize responses to what we’ve learned, the district will share our plans and options for fall sometime next week. However, please know that as we continue to become informed about the coronavirus and its impacts on our region, and more importantly, right here in Lorain, plans may need to change.

Our challenge will be to err on the side of safety, even as the definition of “safe” shifts day-to-day as we learn more about the virus. We will strive to best communicate any updates so that you are never left wondering what to expect, how you will be supported, or what the plan will be.

ATHLETICS WAIVERS | Over the weekend we learned that a waiver was sent electronically to the families of student-athletes which caused a great deal of concern and confusion. Apparently, some months ago there was a belief that our insurance company required such waivers. That's not where we are today.

We are in this together, and we’ll figure it out together. The science is clear: there are increased risks when people gather. But we are taking every precaution recommended by health experts to keep our students and staff as safe as we can.

BAND CAMP | There have also been several questions about the protocols for Band Camp. Let me be clear: the health and safety of our students, staff and families are the priority. If you choose for your child to not participate in band camp this year, this will not exclude your child from participating in band when school resumes. However, students who haven't learned the songs and choreography at band camp may not be able to march along with their peers during halftime. As such, an alternative will be provided for these students.

DRESS CODE | This has been a difficult year for everyone. We have reviewed data which indicates at least 50% of families have experienced a loss of income as a result of the pandemic. Therefore, we are not requiring students to follow the traditional “polos and khakis” dress code this year. Full details and clarification will be provided at a later date, but I wanted you to be aware of this now, in the hope that this information can alleviate stress and help families save money at this time.

NEXT STEPS | I know that many would like to see specific dates and times attributed to the steps outlined within our process. But to quote our Executive Director of Strategic Planning and Process Ross May, “Timelines are usually arbitrary, and drop-dead timelines are often created to cut corners and compromise processes. We cannot afford to cut corners and compromise process when people’s health and well-being are at stake.”

Thanks again for your patience as we move forward in a way that we feel is most respectful to those we serve. We'll be sure you'll continue to have the opportunity to pose questions, get answers, and walk with us every step of the way.

Thanks,

Jeff