On August 6, 2020 The Beverly Public School Committee voted 5 to 2  for students enrolled in grades 7-12 to do a remote start for the 2020 - 2021 academic year. Parents/Guardians of all BPS students received a notice after this vote to make their selection for the 2020- 2021 academic year. The options provided for grades 7-12 were a remote start with BHS (grades 9 - 12) and BMS (grades 7 & 8) or to enroll in the state’s Remote Learning Academy (RLA).

When asked to make this selection we had a narrow time frame in which to commit. The specific metrics the school committee would use to determine a pivot from remote to hybrid for these grades had not been defined by the school committee in their vote.  A time frame for assessing data was also not provided to us and was not voted on by the committee either. Most families made the difficult decision on the assumption that a transition to in person learning would be a matter of months not weeks. 

The option of Remote Learning Academy (RLA)  was not well defined for upper grade levels. No curriculum guidance was provided and we had no explanation of how connected our children really would be to their Beverly school. It was unknown if students would have access to advanced coursework or electives such as band, chorus or the arts. It was not clear who exactly was overseeing the RLA or who the staff instructing our children would be. Due to all of the great unknowns for upper grades which were not answered in the time frame needed to make an informed decision a number of BPS families selected to do the remote start with BMS and BHS. 

We do not agree with the recent vote by the Beverly School Committee to move to a hybrid model for grades 7-12 by September 29th. Comments made by school administrators in the most recent school committee meeting were that families at this time are unable to select the RLA option for their children. We are asking for your support to allow students in grades 7-12 to participate in their scheduled BMS and BHS classes remotely on in-person hybrid days for those who at this time are not comfortable with a return to the classroom so soon. 

This would allow those who want to be in person to do so on hybrid days while others who do not feel safe yet to continue to receive the same curriculum as their peers. These students could then seamlessly re-join in person instruction at a time when they feel comfortable or when it is proven to be safe for all children to return full time. We feel given the unprecedented times we are experiencing and all that is yet to be learned about the long term health impacts of covid-19 it is unfair to force any child to return to the classroom when they may not be ready. 

If you agree with this proposal please sign this petition and share with others in the community.  Thank you!