Important Back-to-School Information

Hello Families,

First, thank you for completing the Fall 2020 Back to School Survey. The information you provided was instrumental in finalizing plans for our hybrid learning model.

Details on school options

By every grade level and demographic, the most popular choice was Option 2, which provides all students with at least some time in school, with the most amount of time for our youngest learners. 87.9 percent of families who plan to enroll their child in on-site classes and who responded to this question selected Option 2 as either their preferred option or said they could make it work. 

We heard you and we appreciate your feedback! We are proposing this type of hybrid model to the board on Monday, August 17. The hybrid model includes both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded/independent) distance instruction for all students, as well as in-school instruction 1-4 days per week based on grade level:  

• Preschool in school 2-3 half days each week;
• K-2 in school four days each week; 
• grades 3-5 in school two days each week; and 
• grades 6-12 in school one day each week.  

You can take an advanced look at the proposed plan on our distance learning web page. This page includes preliminary details on the hybrid model as well as distance learning details, safety procedures, Tier 1 essential employee childcare information and more. 

Confirm your enrollment

This weekend, if you completed the Fall 2020 Back to School Survey, you will receive a verification email to confirm your enrollment choice. With one click you can either confirm your child’s preferred enrollment (based on your prior survey response) or change it. All students have the choice of either the hybrid model or 100% distance learning. If you did not complete the survey or you do not receive the email, you can also contact your child’s school directly and let them know your preference for school this fall. 

Open houses & the first week of school

To help keep our teachers and families safe, we will be reformatting our traditional open houses. Instead of a single night with hundreds of families in attendance, we are spreading out the open house event during the first week of school so that families can enjoy an individual, personalized orientation. You can meet your child’s teacher(s), tour your child’s classroom (if they are attending school in-person) and drop off school supplies. To accommodate this schedule, all students will be in distance learning during the first week of school (September 8-11). Look for more information from your child’s school in the next week or two.

Childcare for Tier 1 essential workers

We will be providing free, in-person, instructional support for the children of Tier 1 workers. Children must be enrolled in Richfield Public Schools and in Kindergarten through grade 5 (12 years old). This program will meet during regular school hours on school days following the hybrid and distance learning schedule at each elementary school. Details and registration information can be found on our distance learning web page.

School supply lists

As many people have asked, we want you to know that we will be reviewing the current school supply lists and making changes for those students who will be distance learning. You can find the current lists on each school website under Family Resources and Back to School. This is also where we will post the updated lists when they are ready. (Note that there are no school supply lists for high school students.)

Thank you

On behalf of all of the staff here at Richfield Public Schools, I want to thank all of you for your patience and understanding as we navigate these uncharted waters. We have had a lot of dedicated team members working throughout the summer to create what I consider to be one of the most comprehensive and detailed plans currently out there.

Over the next few weeks, we will regularly update our website with information as it is finalized. I will also send regular emails so that you are all well informed when it comes to your child’s education in the 2020-21 school year. 

As different as this next school year will be, I am making a commitment to you that we will do absolutely everything within our power to ensure all our students have the quality education they need and deserve–whether they are learning in-person or online, whether they are preschoolers or seniors, whether they are receiving special education services or ELL services. Our mission is that every child learns, grows and excels. I am as dedicated to that mission as ever.

I hope you enjoy the last few weeks of summer and I look forward to the new school year.

Sincerely

Superintendent Steven Unowsky