Superintendent's News
Feeling Hopeful With a Plan
In his weekly message, Supt. Elder talks about plans for the near future.
Today, I have hope.
As we learn more about COVID vaccines, plans for distribution, and even the first recipient of “the jab” (that’s what they call shots in England, where the first COVID vaccination was given this week), I see a shimmering light at the end of this long pandemic tunnel. Life will be getting back to some semblance of normalcy. Our kids and our colleagues will be heading back to their schools. And we will be welcoming them with open arms – at a safe distance, of course.
When that day comes, we will be ready. We have a plan, and we are preparing for their return.
Actually, Albuquerque Public Schools has had a Reentry Plan in place since summer, which we continuously update as we learn more about the coronavirus, remote and hybrid learning, technology, ventilation, sanitation, and more.
I hope you had a chance to watch the video we sent earlier this week outlining the latest rendition of the plan. If you haven’t, I encourage you to do so.
Reentry Plan Guidelines 2021
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For students ready to return to their school buildings, we plan to safely and gradually bring them back once the state rates Bernalillo County at minimum risk for coronavirus spread. The state’s new rating system uses several criteria for labeling counties safe for reopening, which you can learn more about by going to the New Mexico Department of Health’s website: Red to Green Framework.
The latest APS Reentry Plan calls for students to return in small groups at first, adding grade levels, beginning with our youngest, every couple of weeks as the rate of virus spread stabilizes. Students would be on campus twice a week and learning remotely three days a week. This is a change from our original plan, which had students on campus four days a week every other week.
There are a few other adjustments to the original plan as well. As I said, this is a living, breathing document that changes with knowledge and experience.
Our goal is to continue to provide quality teaching and learning in the safest environment possible. Safe for our students. Safe for our staff, too.
As we continue on this twisty, curvy ride together, I want to thank you for the amazing job you're doing. I know. I’ve seen it firsthand. You’re working hard, you’re doing the right thing, we’ve almost made it to the end of the first semester, and there’s sunshine ahead.
Keep doing what you’re doing, and be prepared for change.