Northeastern shifts to hybrid model for in-person students

Credit: Bill Lackey

Credit: Bill Lackey

Northeastern Local Schools has adjusted their plan for when students return to the classroom in the fall, the district superintendent said.

“This was not a decision that was made lightly,” said Superintendent John Kronour. “After careful consideration and input from our dedicated teachers and staff, we felt that it was in the best interest of our students and our staff to begin in the hybrid model.”

The district will start the fall on Aug. 25 with hybrid leaning for the first four weeks of the year, with schools operating at reduced capacity with safety precautions in place.

“The decision to begin the year on the hybrid schedule was made for staff to work with smaller groups to ensure students understand the new safety procedures in place and to help prepare them for any necessary periods of online learning by sharing the tools teachers will use during remote learning,” Kronour said.

Kronour said at the end of the third week of hybrid learning, the district will determine how in-person learning students will attend the following fourth week.

When the plan was initially shared, the district offered both in-person or online learning for students.

Kronour said students with last names A-K will be in Group A and students with last names L-Z will be in Group B. Group A will attend school in-person on Tuesday and Wednesday during week one and week three and on Monday and Tuesday during week two and week four. Group B will attend school in-person on Thursday and Friday during all four weeks.

“To keep class sizes even, principals have contacted some families to ask if they would be willing to move to another group,” Kronour said. “Principals have also contacted families of students who have last names in both groups to arrange for the students to attend on the same schedule.”

The hybrid model will not affect those in online learning, which will still be at home each day for those students.

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