9/24/2020
Dear North Penn Families,
It is seventeen days into the school year and I know all of us have never worked so hard. We have done everything we can to make the virtual start of the school year successful. At the same time we are planning for the return of school for in-person instruction. I wanted to give you an update on where we stand based on this week’s school board meeting.
We believe that the
COVID-19 metrics for Montgomery County are at a place where students can return to school and we are preparing for this day. Our school board is discussing a plan for students to return November 9th with the possibility of bringing groups of students (e.g. primary grades and selected special education students) in before that date.
A hybrid model using a mix of in-person learning and online learning via livestream will be provided. How students will be broken into hybrid groups and which days they will be in person, and which days they will be viewing class via live stream is still being discussed. Students who do not want in-person instruction will engage in learning via livestream on all days of the week. More detailed information on both of these options will be communicated soon.
NPSD approved the use of grant money to purchase more than $500,000 in video conferencing equipment to make this hybrid model robust and engaging. It will involve teachers interacting with online students via a large screen TV with camera, a microphone so students at home and in school can hear each other, and a wireless microphone for teachers to speak with online students directly. Next week we will share with you a video that will better explain how this technology will be used.
Our plans are connected to this technology arriving, being assembled and installed, and providing time for teachers to become comfortable in its use.
Our school board has not yet voted on a specific return date, however it is important that you are up-to-date on a potential timeline. Please stay tuned for additional information as it becomes available.
Overall, we know our families, students and staff have been through an incredible amount of change, frustration and anxiety. Our goal with the return to school is to limit these feelings and somehow bring a bit of normalcy back to all of our lives. We cannot wait to see our students in person.
Until then, please continue to be well and stay North Penn Strong.
Sincerely,
Curtis R. Dietrich, Ed.D.
Superintendent