SALT POINT — While many school districts in the area are opting for remote reopenings in the next academic year, the Duchess County Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) has decided on a hybrid model at its Salt Point campus. The educational facility serves more than one population, and is instrumental in many special education opportunities for students in all 13 school districts in Dutchess County. Some districts, such as Millbrook, Pine Plains, Wappingers, Arlington and the City of Poughkeepsie, are opting for remote learning only, probably through the fall semester, while others are still deciding what to do.
BOCES Superintendent Richard Hooley recently sent out a letter to parents, guardians and staff, and hosted three online Town Hall meetings last week, to discuss his plans for reopening the BOCES program and how to implement state safety requirements. He said the health and safety of students and staff was the top priority in the BOCES Board making its decision, as was the size of its facilities and the ability to practice social distancing, and the ability to have an on-campus presence. He noted that nearby districts are using the remote model, while many other schools around the state are opting for in-person and hybrid reopenings.
The BOCES hybrid model will offer a section for students to attend in-person classes on Mondays and Tuesdays, and to learn remotely on Thursdays and Fridays. Section B students will learn remotely at the beginning of the week, staying at home the last two days of the week. Some students may attend special classes on Wednesdays, as may others with special needs.
At one of the virtual Town Halls on Wednesday, Aug. 19, which had prepared questions sent in, Hooley and BOCES Deputy Superintendent Cora Stemple explained the process, which includes filling out a form each day, which can be done online before entering the buildings, taking temperatures, enforcing social distancing, practicing good hygiene, wearing face masks and contact tracing.
Two other meetings were held the following day for those who couldn’t view Wednesday’s program.
Hooley also remarked that things may change, depending on the state and the prevalence of COVID-19 in the county and the district. He also noted that the BOCES model might be used throughout the 2020-21 school year.
Because BOCES serves students of various ages, from different districts, students coming from different school districts to use the Dutchess BOCES facilities will use their home school districts’ transportation systems.
“We understand that we ourselves are powerless over the virus, and we struggled to find a way to open safely for staff and students, and help them feel comfortable coming back,” said Hooley. “A good teacher modifies and adjusts to the student’s needs and we hope to be like that good teacher, and if we need to, to adjust as we go.”
The planning for the reopening has been arduous and intense, agreed all involved.
“We’ll be looking for feedback from staff and parents,” added Hooley. “We would like to be more face to face and at some point, we may be able to do that on Wednesdays. If there is a change, however, or a spike, we’ll also have to adjust for that.”
Hooley also made it clear that if there are reasons for a child not to attend in-person, they will be accommodated. Unclear at this point is how internships and work-site instruction will fare during this pandemic. Many of the BOCES population depend on those work and intern programs to gain career experience, and some take courses at local colleges as well.
While everyone is being asked to pull together at this time, things may understandably change. The changes will depend on health issues and technology needs as well as government and public health mandates.
Construction for the upgraded facilities at the Salt Point campus will continue; parking could become be an issue, so the BOCES administration is suggesting the use of public transportation rather than private vehicles whenever possible.
‘Square Quilting painting' by ransomeAlexander Wilburn
