Area students to remain with remote learning for rest of school year 

Following last week’s recommendation by Maine Department of Education (MDOE) Commissioner of Education Pender Makin, with the support of Gov. Janet Mills, regional school districts are extending remote learning plans until the end of the academic year.

In an April 9 email Makin acknowledged closing school buildings was a difficult decision made only after consultation with the experts, including guidance from the national and Maine CDC. “We are looking forward to the eventual development of a process for determining when it might be safe to resume in-person classroom instruction,” she said. Because we continue to see double-digit increases each day in the number of new cases in our state, the metrics for determining this have not yet been developed.”

Makin said the timing of her recommendation was made to give families and school officials time to plan and provide alternative ways to celebrate and conduct end-of-year events. “School administrators, staff, students and communities deserve as accurate a picture as we can provide with respect to this evolving situation, and it will require a longer term continuation of remote instruction,” she said.

The commissioner said Maine has joined other states in mandating or recommending schools not return to in-class instruction this spring. “This is difficult on everyone, but necessary to protect the health and safety of students, school staff, and community members,” she said.

“With the commissioner of education recommending to Gov. Mills that Maine schools should continue remote learning for the rest of the school year, and in coordination with RSU 68, I want to make it official that Foxcroft Academy will finish the school year with remote learning,” Head of School Arnold Shorey wrote in an April 9 letter to parents/guardians. “Though this is a decision I do not want to make, we live in extraordinary times that require extraordinary steps.”

“With this information, we are now able to plan for the close of the year and will share that information in the very near future,” Shorey said.

He said April break will still take place April 20-24, professional development days will be April 27-28 and the last day of school will be Friday, June. 5. 

The head of school explained coordination will take place to have student lockers cleaned out, the contents placed in a bag with the student’s name on it and delivered to their home.

“Work is being planned to ensure that many of our traditional activities will continue in a different form and we will announce the dates, times and type of forum in the near future (Undergrad Awards Night, Senior Awards Night, etc.),” Shorey said. He said it is impossible to plan for the prom at this time.

“I am determined that graduation will take place but it will be later in the summer,” Shorey said. There have been graduations at Foxcroft Academy for 197 years and that streak will remain unbroken.”

“We will continue to provide remote learning until June 9, unless the Governor declares it is safe to return to on-site learning,” SAD 4 Superintendent Kelly MacFadyen wrote in an April 8 letter to families. “If that were to happen, we would consider returning so that students and staff could have closure for this academic year.”

“As I stated in my previous letter, I understand that remote learning is not our preferred method of teaching and we are doing our very best to be as effective as possible under these circumstances,” MacFadyen said. “I have to say that my staff and administrators have really stepped up to the plate to make this work for our students. I realize that I have asked a great deal of them and have challenged them to step out of their comfort zone to navigate new ways of instructing and connecting with their students during a time when they are also trying to take care of themselves and their families. On this same note, I am aware of the added responsibility this has put on families to support their child’s education at home. I want to express how very appreciative I am and how much I respect the efforts all of you have demonstrated to do what is best for the children in our communities. Please know that I do not expect families to replicate what a classroom teacher would do. I do not expect elementary students to spend any more than two or three hours at the most on academics. If you are not able to get work done during this time frame, put it away for another day. As challenges arise for all students pre-K–12, please contact teachers for assistance. If you continue to have struggles, contact the building principal for help.”

“I know that our students have experienced a great deal of loss with so many school activities being canceled,” MacFadyen said. “Graduation is probably the most important event that has yet to be determined. I have instructed my Principal (John Keane) to continue to work on two plans, one for a traditional graduation; although we may still have to consider social distancing and other precautions, and one which considers alternative means to honor this rite of passage.

“We are all experiencing a new learning curve and doing the best we can during a very stressful time. I have observed my staff, students and families rise to the occasion and demonstrate just how strong they are. Our communities continue to reach out to us to offer their help and have come through when we have asked them for assistance. As I grieve for what we have lost, I am so very grateful for all that we have.”

Referring to Makin’s recommendation in an April 7 post on the district social media pages, SAD 41 Superintendent Michael Wright wrote, “Although this is disappointing news, as many of us were hoping to return at some point, I believe it is definitely the right move and likely comes as no surprise to anyone. First and foremost, we must do everything we can to stay safe and to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

“Now that we know this there is no question that we must move forward with longer range plans including alternative ways to recognize traditional end of year student celebrations. I wanted to let you know as soon as possible once this new DOE advice was released.

“There is no question that this crisis has tested all of us in many ways. Tonight’s news will mean that our resolve will need to be longer, and our isolation from students, colleagues and friends will be longer as well.

“Together, professionally, emotionally and with much support for one another, we can come through this, even though for now we must be physically apart. Thank you once again, all of you, for everything you do.”

In an April 10 Facebook post on the school’s page Jim Chasse, superintendent of the Greenville Consolidated School, wrote the school will be preparing for remote learning for the remainder of the school year. “The end of remote schooling date has yet to be determined but will be communicated as soon as we know,” he said.

As of presstime AOS 94 officials have not announced any changes to the school unit’s current plan to continue remote learning through the end of the month with students and staff anticipating to be back in school on May 1.