APS Return to School Plans for 2020-21

Introduction:

At the August 10, 2020 meeting, the School Committee approved submission of the Andover 2020/21 school year reopening plan required by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and voted to begin the school year offering a hybrid model for all students along with a remote academy for students who require or choose to learn remotely.

The information contained in the tiles below will be updated frequently. APS Return to School planning is on-going and we appreciate your patience as we continue to add the protocols and specifics to each topic.

School Start & Dismissal Times

School start and dismissal times will differ from previous years due to transportation guidance and the need to keep students and staff physically distanced and safe. Additionally, our goal is to mirror a school day for our students and teachers in either the hybrid or remote models.

Term Dates for 2020-21 school year

Students will be required to complete 170 school days this year. As a result of the changing schedules, term dates are as follows:

Grade level	Term	Term	Term	Term
Pre K & K	Sept. 21- Jan. 21	Jan. 22- June 16
Grades 1-5	Sept.16 - Jan. 21	Jan. 22 - June 16
Grades 6-8	Sept. 16 - Dec. 10	Dec.11 - March 19	March 20- June 16
Grades 9-12	Sept.16 - Nov. 18	Nov.19 - Feb. 2	Feb. 3 - April 8	April 9 - June 16

Elementary Parent/ Teacher Conferences:

Kindergarten Only: November 6, 2020
Grades 1-5: November 3, 2020
Grade K-5: weeks of March 1 & March 8th, 2021

2020- 21 Modified School Year Calendar

Changes to the 2020-21 School Year calendar

At the August 6th meeting, the School Committee voted to approve a modified school year calendar based on the guidance provided by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. DESE signed an agreement with the state teachers unions to allow districts to provide professional development for the first ten days of school. This year, DESE also has reduced the number of required days for students from 180 days to 170 days.

School Committee Policy EBC - Supplemental

The Andover School Committee recognizes the resulting disruption of the traditional school day and year; concerns of students, families, APS staff, and the community; and the potential for issues to continue impacting public education, all as a result of the COVID-19 emergency declared by the Governor. Updated policy changes implemented during the COVID-19 emergency can be located on the School Committee's Policy page.