ESY Summer Program 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Welcome to the summer program! We are excited to see the students in the building this summer and have ensured that all of the necessary safety precautions are in place as outlined in the ESY Student COVID Guidelines. Special education programming will take place at the Pyne Arts Magnet School from July 6th –July 31st.  Pre-K and elementary students will arrive at 7:30 a.m. and be dismissed at 11:00 a.m.. Middle and High School students will arrive at 8:15 a.m. and be dismissed at 11:45 a.m.. The Department of Education requires that all student arrivals and dismissals be staggered. The sub groups (groups A and B) have been created and the teachers will be reaching out to inform you which days your child will attend school. Group C (remote only learners) will be contacted by their assigned teachers by Friday. If you have any questions in regards to the remote only platform please contact Michael Jarvis at mjarvis@lowell.k12.ma.us .

In order to meet the needs of students and ensure safety for students and the community we have developed a blended learning program. Students will be placed into two sub groups (Group A and B) in order to maintain small classroom sizes as per the guidelines provided by the Department of Education memorandum “Initial Summer School Reopening Guidance”. Group A will attend school on Monday and Tuesdays (pre-k and elementary 7:30-11:00 a.m. and middle and high school students 8:15 a.m.-11:45  a.m.). Group B will attend school on Thursday and Friday (pre-k and elementary 7:30-11:00 a.m. and middle and high school students 8:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m.). Both groups will have the opportunity to attend and participate in remote learning on their off days (ex Group A can access remote on Thursdays and Fridays, Group B will access remote on Mondays and Tuesdays). The Pyne Arts will be closed on Wednesdays for sanitization as per the DESE Initial Summer School Reopening Guidance memorandum.

The special education summer school team has developed the summer program curriculum to ensure student’s special education needs are met. Students will participate in a combination of hands on materials as well as online platforms such as Seesaw and Boom cards. The activities are individualized to support the objectives in the student’s IEPs but will also include thematic units such as camping and the ocean.

In order to ensure student and staff safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program will adhere to the strict guidelines provided by the following agencies:

• Massachusetts Department of Education
• Massachusetts Early Childhood Care
• Department of Public Health
• Center for Disease Control.

****You will be receiving additional health and safety protocols when updates are provided by the above agencies.  Families will be asked to review the information prior to start of the summer program..

Sincerely,

Michael Lovato
Director of Special Education

Program Information:

Pyne Arts Magnet School
145 Boylston Street
Lowell, Ma

(978) 937-7639