Return to School Phase 1 Remote Learning
More information about Student Orientation beginning August 31 for new 6th grade students and September 1 for returning students and new 7th graders was sent to families by email on August 28. Click here to learn more about student orientation and the Quest for the CARES Gems featuring a Q&A with Dean Dameon, Dean of Student Affairs, and Mr. W., Director of Math.
Class Schedules by Grade
IMPORTANT DATES
August 11: Virtual Town Hall and PTA Meeting (see below for presentation and recording.)
August 14: Family Survey Deadline
August 21 (noon-1pm): Family Session: What to Expect for the BUGS Remote and Hybrid Program (meeting link)
August 31: First day of School for New 6th Grade Students (remote learning)
September 1: First day of School for Returning Students and New 7th Grade Students (remote learning)
September 2 at 6pm: Family Session - Remote Learning 101 (meeting link)
September 3 at 6pm: Family Apply Hour (meeting link)
September 8: No school for students (staff professional development day)
September 9: First full day of academic schedule (remote learning)
TEACHING AND LEARNING
REMOTE LEARNING PLAN
Guided by our mission, and leaning into our start-up roots, BUGS has designed a Re-Entry Plan that attempts to provide a nurturing, rigorous, and engaging learning experience grounded in our sustainability competencies and CARES values while prioritizing equity and the wellness and safety of our students, families, teachers, and community.
Student Orientation August 31 - September 4
Our Student Orientation supports students to acclimate to the new school or grade expectations, address the effects of COVID-19 in a safe space, bond with classmates, build relationships with teachers, and develop collaborative skills.
Advisories by cohorts groups (A and B Groups)
Focus on social and emotional learning (SEL)
Counseling and discussions related to COVID 19 trauma
Relationship Building
Routines and Procedures (Schoolwide)
House System introduction (House activities on asynchronous days)
BUGS C.A.R.E.S values (Community, Awareness, Reach, Exploration, and Student Voice)
Training on safety in the building for students and families
3 days of remote synchronous orientation for new 6th and 7th Graders (total of 5 days)
2 days of partial asynchronous orientation for 6th Graders
2 days of remote synchronous orientation for returning 7th and 8th Graders (total of 4 days)
2 days of asynchronous orientation for returning 7th and 8th Graders
LAUNCH OF ACADEMIC PROGRAM (SEPTEMBER 9)
In order to maintain consistency, schedules for remote learning will be the same as when we launch the hybrid model, although without reporting to the building.
Students will meet in their larger cohorts (601, 701, etc.) with both co-teachers during remote learning and split into smaller groups (601 A, 601 B, etc.) for the hybrid model.
Project Based Learning (PBL) requires a “project launch” during the first few weeks of a semester. This looks like multi-disciplinary introductions to the grade level or project topic and (usually) an assembly or event to hype the project. This can be done in either a hybrid, remote, or “normal” school program.
RETURN TO SCHOOL: PHASE 2 - HYBRID/REMOTE LEARNING ONLY (JANUARY 25, 2021)
In the event that BUGS transitions to a blended instructional model, it is a priority that we ensure the health and safety of the community and maintain the 6ft social-distancing requirements for the 2020-21 re-entry. The academic priority for onsite and remote learning is to provide engagement in the core subject areas, project-based experiences, as well as Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Special Education support for students. BUGS will be following guidelines for social distancing of spacing students 6 feet apart in each classroom (with exceptions such as 12 feet apart for physical education).
Due to necessary facility preparations, extensive stakeholder training and safety preparation, BUGS does not anticipate being able to start the hybrid model until January 25 pending health and safety conditions, and approval by authorities. All plans are subject to change based on the evolving pandemic.
View the Phase 2 Schedule Overview.
Based on stakeholder feedback, the chosen hybrid option allows students to attend classes onsite for at least two school days each week, for consistent days from week to week.
PRIORITIES FOR SCHEDULING:
Core subject minutes
SEL embedded into ALL class lessons
Adolescent needs
Health & safety routines/extended time for entry/exit transitions built into timing
Innovative Mission Solutions (outdoor time, offsite is not necessarily tech-facing, Project Based Learning (PBL)/Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR)/Student Voice etc)
Cohort groups (pre-assign groups) that contain the same students, to the extent practicable, to limit potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus and prevent the intermingling across cohort groups. Staff contact with students and other staff will also be limited to the extent practicable.
Consistency for families and staff, where possible
Other schedule consideration:
Easily adaptable to a return to remote learning
Minimize screen time for core subject areas during hybrid
Embeds transition time for arrival and breakfast
Click here to view BUGS Re-Entry Academic and School Design Snapshot.
For sample schedules, see our Re-Entry Plan.
EQUITY COMPONENTS IN THE BUGS LEARNING PLAN
Our guiding principles are grounded in a commitment to equity and that every student deserves access to world-class teaching and to learning environments that promote joyful inquiry, intellectual rigor, and reflection.
Equity is embedded in our remote learning plan through:
Technology
BUGS has purchased 200 additional Chromebooks for distribution and assignment to each student for a 1:1 student Chromebook Assignment Plan. If the student is attending school onsite, they will be expected to transport their Chromebook to/from school to follow lessons and complete onsite and remote assignments. All students having the same device model promotes equity and Chromebooks allow for easy cloud-based push out of software. One device per child reduces chances of contamination with sharing devices.
BUGS is also surveying families and staff to determine their level of internet access and will work with to make sure everyone has sufficient access.
Services to Support Students
BUGS teachers and faculty will provide trauma-informed strategies and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) tools to support the social-emotional needs of students through all class lessons, advisory, Quiet Time, and counseling. Additional training is provided to staff to provide culturally-sensitive and anti-bias instruction.
Our remote learning model builds on opportunities for students to connect with friends and teachers at virtual lunch tables, school celebrations, and through our House System.
Leveraging lessons learned from the spring, BUGS built in additional grade team meeting time to allow teachers to work together to make sure children are showing up, engaged, and receiving the attention and services they need to succeed.
Services to Support Families
Our team is designing strategies and resources that will make sure families are confident with our online learning systems so they can support their students with school work and the challenges of learning from home
Our PTA is in close contact with families and is committed to providing information about support services and fundraising to subsidize supplies as needed
In addition to our Re-entry Task Force, BUGS launched a Family Engagement Task Force to build stronger relationships with all our families, design programs to show they are appreciated, and provides opportunities for families to know that their voices matter.
One on one calls from staff members to families will continue to make sure no families are falling through the cracks.
HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN
Our priority is the health and safety of our staff and students while taking into heavy considerations the physical, social/emotional, and environmental factors that have an impact on instruction.
While in BUGS, all students and staff will be required to wear face masks and to maintain social distancing, fewer students will be in the building, and class sizes reduced. Other protocols include:
All staff will be trained and must follow and practice the Safe Cleaning Commitments.
All staff and students must have temperature checked and follow the Screening Process upon entry. (More updates to come.)
Signage will be posted throughout the building and on the website that explain hygienic protocols and procedures, Cleaning Commitments, Social Distancing, Pre-Screening checklists procedures.
Cleaning and disinfecting of all surfaces with CDC-approved chemicals and tools that eliminate 99% of bacteria and COVID-19.
BUGS will be stocked with cleaning supplies, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and effective hygienic supplies in every room.
Ongoing staff, student and family training of appropriate onsite guidelines, protocols, and procedures.
PLANS FOR COVID TESTING FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF
TESTING PROTOCOLS
Per CDC recommendation, BUGS will NOT conduct COVID-19 testing onsite, but highly encourages all staff members and students to be tested at least seven days before the start of in-person instruction and on a regular basis, at least once a month. The frequent testing may occur at any of the city-run testing locations, and school staff are encouraged to use these locations as they provide test results in a quicker time frame.
Individuals exposed to COVID-19 must be quarantined in order to stop the spread of the virus; this includes both students and staff members who test positive for COVID-19 and those who are considered close contacts of a positive case. Students and staff members who test positive for COVID-19 cannot return to school until all the following are met:
Presents clearance from a health care provider evaluation AND
The individual has been symptom free for 24 hours without the use of medication.
This section of our plan will be updated as needed through guidelines from the DOHMH and CDC, and other health authorities.
CONTACT TRACING
Per CDC recommendation, BUGS will NOT conduct COVID-19 testing OR require COVID-19 testing or antibody testing of students or staff members.
Contact Tracing is a “public health function performed by local public health departments to trace all persons who had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in order to isolate or perform other measures of limiting the spread of the virus.“
BUGS will assist the public health department by ensuring the accurate completion of the following:
Accurate attendance records of students and staff members while onsite
Keeping Student Schedules up to date
Keeping a Visitor’s Log in Main Office that includes: Date, Time, Name of person visited, location of visit
Provide staff with the protocols, training and tools in New York State Contact Tracing Program
This section of our plan will be updated as needed through guidelines from the DOHMH and CDC, and other health authorities.