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05/12/2020 12:00 AMGovernor Ned Lamont announced that Connecticut schools would be physically closed for the remainder of the 2019-’20 school year, leaving schools throughout the state to continue with virtual learning. North Haven Haven Public Schools was prepared for the announcement and the administration and staff have continued to make adjustments to serve their students.
“We quickly jumped into this new way of school, teaching, and learning and North Haven—as well as much of the educational community around the world—are trying to figure out how to best meet the needs of our learners and families,” said Superintendent of Schools Patrick Stirk. “I would like to thank the teachers and staff who have been working tirelessly to engage their students and provide learning opportunities.”
Stirk reported that as of May 1, over a month of distance learning, North Haven Public Schools have sent more than 1 million emails, added 210,000 files, held 8,300 video hangouts districtwide, and provided more than 5,500 meals.
In addition to recognizing the teachers and staff, Stirk also acknowledged the role that parents and caregivers are playing in this new way of learning.
The district has adopted a hybrid approach to distance learning to incorporate both asynchronous and synchronous lessons (those undertaken on the students’ own schedules and those taken together as a class) in order to provide flexibility to students and families. Stirk noted that North Haven has moved to a team teaching approach within grade levels or departments.
“The secondary level has set up schedules so that live classes do not overlap, requiring students to choose, and we are continuing to grow our virtual connectedness each week,” said Stirk. “The team approach allowed our teachers to work as teams while tackling this new way of delivering instruction and ensures common experiences for students across the district.”
The district will continue to use the interactive model with Google Classroom and Google Meet for all grades until school resumes. Because of the new distance learning format, North Haven Public Schools has moved to a Pass/Fail grading system for grades 6 to 12, which Stirk said was a recommendation of the Connecticut State Department of Education.
The fourth marking period runs from April 20 to June 18, which is the last day of school. No classes will be held on Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day). There will be no final exams. Grade level calculations have been altered to accommodate for the Pass/Fail in the final quarter.
It was determined that because the students completed the majority of it, the third marking period will carry the same 30 percent allocation for final grades. Students taking AP, UConn, and Gateway courses will be graded as outlined by College Board and the university.
“The district decided against a Pass with Distinction option because many students are dealing with different and unique situations due the pandemic,” said Stirk. “Many are faced with caring for a family member, themselves, or possibly having to go to work to help support their family. Academics may be their first priority during normal circumstances and they would be students who received Pass with Distinction marks; however life took over and they are not able to devote the time and effort needed to reach this goal.”
Those in grades K to 5 will receive end-of-year narratives from their classroom teacher with no grades provided for the last trimester. All elementary students will move to the next grade level in the fall.
“Our curriculum and supports will be adjusted to evaluate where students are performing at that time and instruction will be designed to meet them where they are and move them forward,” said Stirk. “As always, parents are encouraged to speak with their child’s teacher and principal about concerns. Interventionists, as well as math and literacy coaches, will be available to work with students who need it in the fall. The middle school is currently planning for next year and information will be forthcoming about placement and orientation.”
With uncertainty surrounding the reopening of the state and schools, the State Department of Education is in the process of creating recommendations as to the 2020-’21 school year. As decisions are made, they will be announced by the district.
Stirk and the district are also following guidance from the State of Connecticut, Quinnipiack Valley Health District, and the town’s emergency management director in planning events to honor high school graduates as well as those moving on from 5th and 8th grade.
“The most difficult part for all of us is not being in school. We love being around students and cherish our daily interactions with them, so it is difficult not having those experiences each day,” said Stirk, who said he has also seen many positives come out of the situation, with as “a strengthened partnership between teachers and families and teachers from different schools supporting one another through our distance learning platform. I am confident we will get through this as a thoughtful, compassionate, and collaborative community.”
Note: Superintendent Patrick Stirk will virtually present the Board of Education’s 2020-’21 budget on Thursday, May 14, at 6 p.m. on NHTV or streamed live on MyNHTV on Facebook.
Student families needing technical support can email support@northhavenschools.org. Chromebooks can be picked up at the North Haven High School loading dock from 10 a.m. to noon Monday to Friday.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the governor closed schools for the 2020-'21 school year.