Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Reopening topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Student Advisory outlines return-to-school activities; superintendent updates reopening and summer programs
Summary
Student Advisory members presented spring activities and the district's transition back to in-person learning. Superintendent Kerri Zhou reported learning walks, about 200 survey responses and plans for summer acceleration and special-education extended-year programs; Dr. Zhou said Bourne will await DPH/BPS physician guidance before adopting 3-foot distancing guidance.
Student members of the Bourne Student Advisory presented a slide-packed update at the May 5 School Committee meeting describing recent spirit-week activities, Purple Up Day in support of military-connected students, a virtual choir and student-created civic projects as the district transitions back to in-person learning.
Viveca Stucke, joined by Kai Chen and Sophia Sederman, summarized activities at each school: elementary spirit-week events and a Patriotic Poetry Walk; the Intermediate School—s walking club (students logged over 600 miles in April and more than 25,000 miles cumulatively over a decade); middle-school virtual choir and art projects; and high-school sports, a prerecorded drama production and the spring musical planned for late May. Chair Emily Berry praised the presentation as "an amazing presentation," and Maureen Fuller thanked students and staff for their dedication.
Superintendent Dr. Kerri Anne Quinlan-Zhou said she completed learning walks at each school and that about 200 families and staff responded to a district survey; she said those responses will be compiled and that a report is expected in June. Dr. Zhou also reported that the assistant superintendent search closed with roughly 28 applicants and that a search committee led by Jordan Geist will present finalists by the end of May for a June recommendation and School Committee approval.
On reopening logistics, BMS Principal Christine Borning said 6th-grade orientation and counselor outreach helped students returning from remote learning; she reported class sizes of 15 to 20 students that permit 4 feet of distancing and said staff added lunch space and adjusted schedules to manage doubled arrival/dismissal traffic. BHS Principal Amy Cetner described fall and winter sports operating under COVID protocols (including mask use and self-screening by athletes), ongoing AP coursework and testing, and increased requests from remote-only students to return to in-person instruction.
Addressing recent state guidance, Dr. Zhou said the district is monitoring MA DESE and CDC updates on 3-foot distancing but would not implement new spacing until it receives direction from the Department of Public Health and the Bourne Public Schools physician.
District leaders also outlined summer programming funded in part by federal dollars: extended-year special-education services, acceleration academies, tutoring, a Pre-K program, and a Slide into Learning partnership with Bourne Recreation; Dr. Ryan Place said a planned social-services camp in partnership with the Gleason YMCA will serve approximately 18 students. Staff said assessments and teacher recommendations will guide invitations to acceleration academies and that some federal funds will cover transportation.
The presentation reflected an emphasis on restoring in-person learning and extracurricular activities while preserving COVID-era safety protocols and supports for students with greatest academic need.
