DRP_FINAL_Oct16

IN PERSON LEARNING: GETTING READY FOR LEARNING

As the members of the Darien Public Schools community—students, parents, educators, support staff, and administrators— get ready for the school year, our shared commitment to providing all students with a rich learning experience is stronger than ever. Getting Ready for Learning is a reflection of instructional beliefs that frame the District’s reopening plans for teaching, learning, and assessment: (1) the need to maintain our District’s current robust and rigorous Pre-K through Grade 12 curriculum, along with its effective assessment-based instructional models; (2) to continue to meet our students where they are by providing them with differentiated learning experiences; (3) to contin- ue to address our students’ social and emotional learning needs; (4) to meet and exceed our State’s grade-level standards; and (5) to develop measurable assessment strategies with which to set appropriate instructional goals. The District plan is designed to work across a variety of grade-appropriate instructional platforms with embedded flexibility to celebrate the unique attributes and character of each school in Darien. March 11, 2020 represents a transformative day for the Darien Public Schools. Students’ access to daily, in-person interactions with teachers and peers, traditional instruction and assessment, and the every im- portant human interactions we count on day-to-day shifted. However, that day reinforced the importance of relationships, trust, and commitment to doing what is best for students. This year, it is crucial that these relationships develop quickly to position students for a successful school year. A central piece of this Getting Ready for Learning Plan encompasses how teachers and instructional leaders get to know incoming learn- ers even before they arrive in the fall, by reviewing a variety of historical student data and by engaging in comprehensive vertical team meetings. The District’s Plan is based upon all of the latest information, best practices, and state guidance. We believe that it puts all of us—especially our Pre-K through Grade 12 learners—in position to get off to a great start to the academic year and to weather any challenges that come our way.

The elementary, middle, and high schools all have different daily schedules. All students will attend school Monday through Friday in the in person learning model. Friday will be a shortened day of instruction for all students to allow for the thorough cleaning of schools and professional learning for staff.

Darien Reopening Plan: In Person Learning 30