Nearly 20% of Tiverton students will be in distance learning

TIVERTON — Nearly 20% of students will start the year distance learning, their parents have decided, but Superintendent Peter Sanchioni expects the number will increase.

The other 80% of students, depending on grade, will either begin the school year in their school buildings five days a week or spend one week in school and the next at home distance learning.

Kindergarten, grade 1, grade 5, grade 9 and intense special needs students will be in school full time beginning Sept. 14, while grades 2, 3, 4, 6,7,8, 10, 11 and 12 will spend one week in school and the next at home distance learning.

By Oct. 5, Sanchioni expects all students whose parents have not opted for full distance learning, will be physically in school full time. That’s a week earlier than the Oct. 13 date recommended by the governor. “If we move through September with no issues,” Sanchioni added of the expected all-in start date of Oct. 5.

While School Committee members unanimously approved the school reopening plan at a virtual meeting Wednesday, some cautioned the timeline should not be rushed.

“I’m nervous about it,” Committeewoman Deborah Pallasch said. “I’ll back the dry run and the staggered start,” she said, adding that she was appreciative of the cooperation from the teachers’ union and happy that a large percentage of parents have chosen in-school learning.

“Taking more time is better than taking less time,” said Committee Vice Chairwoman Diane Farnworth.

Committee Chairman Jerome Larkin said the timeline was “aggressive. We cannot be certain of anything,” because of the unknowns of COVID-19. “Can things be different in October? They absolutely can be,” he said.

The plan will be dependent on data at the time, Sanchioni said.

Sanchioni presented the committee with a breakdown of the numbers of students from each grade and each school whose parents have decided to keep them at home distance learning.

Out of a total 1,572 students, there will be 294 distance learning. “I suspect this may escalate,” he said, but the lower numbers of students in school at the start of the year Sept. 14 will make it easier for appropriate social distancing in the classrooms, and busing.

Out of 511 high school students, 67 will be in distance learning full time. Out of 521 middle school students, 96 will be in distance learning. Ranger School has 178 students and 58 of them will be distance learning. Fort Barton has 180 students and 30 will be learning from home, while 36 of the 180 students at Pocasset will stay home for schooling. Seven more students are listed as unassigned.

Parents sending students to school will be required to fill out a wellness screening form online every morning and those students whose parents don’t do it will be screened when they arrive at school.

Tiverton High School and Middle School have new heating and ventilation systems and the three elementary schools are all newly-built or rebuilt over the last 13 years. The air exchange equipment will be fitted with recommended particulate filters and there will be six air exchanges every hour.

While masks will be required, Sanchioni said they can be taken off indoors if there is 6 feet of separation and no talking.

There will be cleaning protocols in place for bathrooms and classrooms. Visitors to school buildings will be limited, Sanchioni said. Full time substitute teachers will be hired for each school to keep that population as stable as possible.

Middle school after-school activities will be limited to homework club and detentions. Details are still being worked out for high school after school activities, said Principal Christopher Ashley.

The committee plans to meet again Tuesday at 6 p.m.