By CHRIS COLLINS
(Greenfield, MA) — The Greenfield public schools will begin the new year with a largely remote curriculum.
The Greenfield School Committee last night voted to adopt a “remote-plus” setup for the new school year, which will feature a remote learning platform with some additional “in-person” services. Superintendent Jordana Harper said some of those services may involve teaching students in instructional “pods” which would be set up with social distancing protocols in mind.
“The key difference is that the instruction offered would not involve a screen,” Harper said.
The committee voted to support all three proposals submitted by Harper, but voted a favorable recommendation for “remote plus.” Harper is expected to present the plan to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education by next week.
The committee also voted to adjust the school schedule to tentatively begin classes on September 16th for grades 1 through 12 and September 18th for kindergarten, although the committee also authorized the superintendent to apply for a waiver from the state, which is required for districts who wish to start after September 16th.