JAMESTOWN — The Jamestown Public Schools District released several modifications late Friday to its reopening plan that includes specifics about the learning model that will be used to begin the 2020-21 school year.

The modifications were framed by survey feedback from over 2,500 parents, students and staff.

“We are very thankful to our community for providing valuable feedback on our reopening plan,” said JPS Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker. “We have made adjustments to our plan based on community input. We ask that our community review the modifications we have released today at jpsny.org/reopening. We have also updated our website with our learning model and fact sheets on topics such as cleaning procedures, face masks, health screening, school meals, child care and daily interaction for remote learning, in response to important questions from our community about our reopening plan.”

The district will open the school year with a hybrid learning model for grades UPK-9 with PK-4 grade levels receiving more face-to-face instruction through a four day per week AM/PM model, grades 5-9 meeting on alternate days, and a remote learning model for grades 10-12. The district will also offer parents the opportunity to request full-time distance learning as an alternative to hybrid learning for students in grades UPK-9. Whether attending in person or remotely, all students will begin the first day of school on September 8, 2020.

The hybrid learning model for grades UPK-4 will assign students to two groups. Group A will attend in person Monday through Thursday morning, with remote learning taking place each afternoon. Group B will attend Monday through Thursday afternoon, with remote learning taking place each morning. High-needs students may attend Monday through Thursday all day. Fridays are reserved for remote learning for all students.

The hybrid learning model for grades 5-9 will include in-person instruction two mornings a week with remote instruction for the remainder of the week. Group A will attend in person on Monday & Wednesday morning with remote learning taking place Tuesday & Thursday and each afternoon. Group B will attend Tuesday & Thursday mornings with remote learning taking place Monday & Wednesday and each afternoon. High-needs students may attend Monday through Thursday all day. Fridays, for all students, are reserved for remote learning, professional development and planning, student/teacher meetings and support and cleaning/disinfecting of buildings. Hybrid attendance groups will be determined by each school and mailed to parents after August 24. Every effort will be made to keep siblings who attend elementary and middle school on a similar schedule.

Jamestown High School 10th to 12th graders will receive full-time remote instruction Monday through Friday. High-needs students may attend Monday through Thursday all day with remote learning on Fridays. This model will be reviewed every 5 weeks for the potential addition of classes/students as well as any other modifications necessary.

Parents may request full-time distance learning in place of the hybrid learning model for grades UPK-9. Distance learning will follow the same instructional schedule as the hybrid model with specific, student schedules given by schools. Families requesting distance learning must be able to provide their own Internet access and commit to distance learning through February 1, 2020. Requests for full-time distance learning must be submitted by Friday, August 21 athttp://jpsny.org/remote.

JPS will hold three virtual Q & A sessions for parents and students through Facebook Live & Zoom next week with Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker regarding reopening. More information on the virtual parent/student Q & A sessions will be communicated through the district’s communications channels.