A screenshot from a presentation outlining the latest updates in the reopening of Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional Schools that shows grade 5 and 6 class sizes.
SOUTHWICK – Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District principals presented the latest updates in school reopening plans during a School Committee meeting Aug. 25.
The biggest change since the reopening plans were approved two weeks ago is at Woodland Elementary School where more students will start the year in-person Sept. 15 than originally scheduled.
Woodland Principal Kimberley Saso said students in first and second grade would begin the year in-person from day one, mainly due to technology concerns. Saso said because there would not be enough computers to distribute to all students to start fully remote, some students would be brought into the building sooner. A technology update later in the meeting addressed issues with computers that were on backorder.
Saso said Pre-K and kindergarten screening would be Sept. 15-17.
“We will have tents outside for parents and bring children inside for screening,” Saso said.
Other grades will continue to be phased in for in-person lessons and all Woodland students will report in-person Sept. 21.
Both Woodland and Powder Mill School will have a staggered arrival and dismissal plan utilizing a software program for students who do not take the bus. Powder Mill Principal Erin Carrier said there would be a 20-minute span for drop-off and pick-up.
Carrier noted that larger rooms, such as the library and auditorium would be used for classroom space, especially for grades five and six. She also said there would be “some para availability” in those rooms to assist students and teachers.
Southwick Regional Principal Joseph Turmel, who lost the zoom call during a storm in the middle of the meeting, said the remote schedule would be more challenging than the spring program.
“It will be rigorous,” he said. “It will not look anything like it did last spring.”
Each school presentation included a plan for a switch to fully remote learning.
The full presentation is available at stgrsd.org.
