1/ Thanks to @RicardoNArroyo and @AnnissaForBos for holding this City Council Education Committee meeting on BPS re-opening. I'll be tweeting some thoughts from a T's perspective, and doing my best to summarize.

2/ Missed opening statements, but just in time for turnover to Supt. Cassellius. No chat feature for public, so more of a presentation right now. But Cassellius says she looks forward to community discussion and hearing questions.

3/ Cassellius going through presentation to start. Important to note that a member of her team appears to be providing support, as Cassellius isn't the one who is sharing her screen and clicking thru the slides. Doesn't seem consistent with modeling simul-teaching.

4/ Boston currently in DESE's yellow zone. DESE expects yellow-zone schools to open either Hybrid or Fully Remote. BPS still has not made final decision on whether to open under Hybrid plan or Fully Remote.

5/ Presenting survey data again from July, which includes disaggregated data.

6/ Barrage of data about Stakeholder Engagement. Lots of numbers claiming @BTU66, Teachers & Parents were heavily involved in planning. Unclear how much influence any of these meetings had over the current re-Opening plans given BTU's prior comments on not being consulted.

7/ Cassellius stresses importance of improving Remote Learning model, because it is likely we will be switching between Hybrid and Remote model as the virus changes.

8/ Busing: 1 student per seat. Already done lots of hiring on drivers and bus monitors (required on each bus), but still need to hire more monitors.

"Cleaning between routes and overnight." No details about what that deep cleaning entails.

9/ Clean buildings: The deep cleaning should be complete in 90% of the buildings. Ps in building soon. When can Ts see deep cleaning?

Highlights 35 schools with HVAC systems having maintenance complete. How about the other 85?

Lots of data on masks!

10/ Tech: BPS worked hard here in the Spring -- credit to @markracine @RhianonElan and the entire tech team! BPS looks to be moving to permanent 1:1 model?

New chromebooks to any Ss who missed getting one in Spring. Also new device for Ss who received old device in Spring.

11/ Hybrid Model: Looks like BPS is changing their tune here on the simul-teaching based on feedback. Cassellius notes there would be several different hybrid models:

Ss @ home may be working with a live classmate on a task. Or they may be working independently or on projects.

12/ Hybrid Model cont'd: This is important; I hope more Q's are asked on this topic.

Whether in Sept. or sometime later this year, we will be in some kind of Hybrid model at some point. Simul-teaching mandate can't work IMO. Need to explore and plan better Hybrid models.

13/ Supt. Cassellius done. Tang speaking now on behalf of BTU.

It seems like BPS made some real changes based on feedback, especially around Hybrid model and taking DESE's 10 day delay. Tang notes that she is still processing some of these changes, as they came as news to BTU.

14/ BTU still has major concerns on re-opening given state of buildings. Also not comfortable with 1-window policy, state of PPE equipment, additional concerns that need to be addressed first.

Calls for All-Virtual start. BTU willing and eager to continue discussions with BPS.

15/ BTU plans consistently highlight: start small & flexible. Observe and revise. Give schools and SSTs flexibility to decide what works.

16/ Boston Student Advisory Council members now provide a statement. Spring was difficult. Ts gave either too much work, or too little.

What do they want: more student voice into the planning process of what Hybrid & virtual learning will look like.

17/ Boston SAC II: Require T's to have well prepared, engaging lesson.

Hours of homework not effective. Avoid busy work.

Empathy from Ts to Ss.

18/ Boston SAC cont'd: Do not believe it is safe to return to buildings right now. But notes some Ss do want to return to building in Sept.

Boston SAC calls for BPS to start virtual. Focus on higher quality Virtual product. Concerns about grading policy neg impacting future.

19/ Jonathan Haines, RN and BPS nurse provides a statement. Unequivocally states: not safe to open BPS schools right now. Opening schools are a "[d]irect threat to BPS students, teachers, families and our Community."

Nurses have been left out of BPS re-opening plans.

20/ Haines: We need (i) rapid testing; (ii) PPE gear; (iii) adequate ventilation (1 window insufficient -- air exchange must be measured, ind. verified); (iv) clear sanitation procedures, strictly enforced (notes BPS making progress); (v) hire more custodians, nurses,Ts, psych.s

21/ Haines: notes disparate impact of Covid on black and brown communities. Ponders how many more lives could have been saved if schools were closed late February or even early March.

Closes with: Remote start is the only way to start safely.

22/ Victoria Downes, Ph.D, school psychologist: pandemic and school closure has left 1,000s of students without psych evaluations and services. Need at least 1 psychologist and 1 social worker in each school to properly serve our Ss. Desperately need to hire more.

23/ Ms. Matias, a parent @ OG speaks on behalf of Parent Council: (i) need more social workers & psychs to provide social emotional supports; (ii) as a parent, many concerns on re-opening schools; (iii) concerns about improving remote learning experience; cont'd...

24/ (iv) more info & transparency from district & schools on plans; (v) increased communication between Ss and Ts; (vi) personally believes: Hybrid model is not a safe option. She urges BPS to reconsider and start virtual.

25/ Mr. Francois speaks on behalf of bus drivers. Thanks @RicardoNArroyo @AnnissaForBos for invite, as bus drivers have been excluded from re-opening convo.

Big concerns on safety protocols. Not safe for Ss right now. Not safe for bus drivers. Concurs with BTU & Nurse concerns.

26/ Mr. Francois: States four bus drivers died during pandemic due to Covid exposure from a manager. Tragic.

Bus drivers had to institute their own safety protocols. Very concerned that health concerns largely ignored by management & city of Boston.

27/ Kafunda Banks, ABA Specialist @ Curley: Makes important point that many of our students with high needs who need services in the building are immuno-compromised. Serious concerns around PPE availability, cleaning, other safety protocols.

28/ Roxi Harvey, parent: Concerns around many student populations for whom remote learning failed. In particular, students with IEPs and ELLs.

IEPs during Spring closure were not serviced, Ss couldn't access virtual work. Need more input from families to IEP teams about S needs.

29/ Harvey cont'd: Stresses that for many Ss in these populations, parents need to have the option to send their children into schools 5 days per week. Need to prioritize making safe spaces available for the Ss who need them most.

30/ Gloria West, BPS Parent and Facilitator Chair of CPC:

(i) Pandemic shined bright light on inequities in educational system.

(ii) Parent-student voice not a part of the discussion on re-opening.

(iii) lack of contact from Ts and school leaders.

31/ West cont'd:

(iv) big concerns around school ventilation.

(v) had hopes of Supt. Cassellius knocking down some barriers of systemic racism. But voices of students & parents have been ignored during this time.

32/ We've heard testimony from around 10 people now. After Supt. Cassellius, the voices have unanimously called for a Remote Learning start.

This group includes community leaders, parents, students, nurses, bus drivers and psychologists.

33/ Samuel Scarpino, Northeastern Prof. & Researcher: More emerging evidence that children can contract and spread Covid.

Still lack info on whether children spread virus as efficiently as adults, or on a lesser level. Need more info on this piece.

34/ Scarpino: from his epidemiological perspective: Likes that the plan is focused on Science & monitoring community spread. Masks work. Distancing works.

Concerns about flu season: when Ss catch Flu or Cold, but exhibit Covid-like symptoms.

35/ Scarpino: I might have missed it, but he appears to be the first to not opine on whether BPS should open virtually in Sept.

Anyone see if he gave an opinion on that? He mostly noted a lot of the concerns that needed to be weighed.

36/ We move to Questioning. Councilor Arroyo up first:

(i) no mandatory testing. What is the plan to identify asymptomatic carriers?

Suzanne Salter-Bennett (nurse) answers for Cassellius: wear masks? Encourages contract tracing if exposed to symptomatic carrier.

37/ Arroyo notes contract tracing is impossible when Ss from his district all go to Forrest Hills, then all travel to different schools. Once Ss or faculty show signs in 1 or 2 weeks, contract tracing has already become impossible.

Plan flawed if it does not require testing.

38/ Bennett responds that plan needs to be focused around sustained contacts. Contact tracing for those in your "close community."

Arroyo not satisfied with our plan for asymptomatic tracing. Testy exchange b/w Arroyo and Cassellius.

39/ Question on more details on how IEPs will be serviced. Cassellius notes a lot of planning going into it. Very few details, still in the works apparently.

Jessica Tang notes BTU has sought to meet on planning to service IEPs since March. Still waiting to partner with BPS.

40/ Tang also notes importance of building relationships in beginning of school year. Stresses how BTU's plan for teaching teams and pods is best way to build relationships early.

41/ Councilor Mejia: What can working families do on the 3 days per week Ss are at home under Hybrid model?

Cassellius: still exploring, working with partners for spaces. Challenge to scale.

Mejia: "City is research rich, coordination poor." What is hold up for partnering?

42/ Cassellius: new process, it will take time to build these partnerships.

Mejia: Disagrees with city claims that voices have been heard. Ts ignored. Parents & Ss feel excluded. BPS powerpoint doesn't match reality in the street.

43/ Mejia: Concerns about Relationship b/w school committee and Supt.

Is Supt. really leader of our schools? How do we empower Supt to act on Community Voices, rather than School Committee dictating important decisions?

44/ Mejia didn't mention it directly, but seemed to be getting at School Committee's recent decision to grant McCormack land to a non-profit, which was in direct opposition to the voice of community stakeholders.

45/ Councilor Campbell: We are not ready to return to in-person instruction. Hybrid model as it stands is not workable.

Let's focus on doing Remote very well. Where are the gaps -- what didn't work? Fix those things. Then plan a phased-in approach.

46/ @CampbellforD4 Question on how are we partnering for child care during remote learning?

Cassellius working on it, will get more info in future.

Campbell: Other cities already doing this. We should be doing it.

47/ @CampbellforD4 Raises an important question: what is status of contract with BTU for Fall 2020? Correctly notes the agreement with BTU for Covid-learning ended in Spring 2020.

Should be a public process before any agreement reached b/w BPS and BTU.

48/ As always, super impressed by @CampbellforD4's thoughts and preparedness. She's a rockstar for the city of Boston.

49/ Tang stresses that BTU is ready to negotiate. Important point: educators do most of our planning in August. We need finality on a plan to create the best virtual learning product for our Ss.

50/ @AnnissaForBos: Any plans to lay-off or furlough employees who would not be needed during remote learning (mentions bus drivers, cafeteria workers).

Supt. responds that it's not currently under consideration. But something that needs to be considered if Virtual extended.

51/ More info from Mr. Francois: 5 employees died from Covid -- 1 manager, 4 bus drivers. One of the bus drivers was a Veteran.

Notes bus drivers want to drive once it's safe to drive buses. The bus company employs them, and would decide if furloughed.

52/ Councilor Wu @wutrain now up: Shared questions & ideas, no response yet.

Michelle Wu asks about waiver. Cassellius evasive on whether BPS is asking for the full 10 days. Ultimately refuses to give an answer.

53/ @Wutrain asks if bus zones will be shrunk to reduce # of Ss offered bus service. Cassellius notes no answer here yet, waiting on responses for how many families will need bus service.

54/ @BCassellius says according to current science, we would open under Hybrid model

This seems like first time that BPS is tipping their hand on Hybrid vs. Virtual? @wutrain extremely frustrated with this response. Families need predictability. Cannot wait to make this decision.

@Wutrain: sounds like Hopscotch is still on table, and most likely option. Most stakeholders strongly opposed. What would it take to take this off the table?

@BCassellius: Hybrid model won't come off the table, kids need to return to school at some point.

56/ @wutrain: Closes by stressing that BPS needs to select a Hybrid model that is not Hopscotch model.

States unequivocally that simul-teaching model is a disaster. As a T, I couldn't agree more.

57/ More on this point from a T's perspective: I think the Hopscotch model is already out, even from BPS perspective.

Comments from @BCassellius suggest BPS is exploring a variety of Hybrid models now, and recognizes the problems with mandating simul-teaching.

58 Councilor Edwards @LydiaMEdwards: Is there anyway to have a slower opening, and focus on most vulnerable students who need to be into the building?

Wouldn't it be a disaster to open schools, and be forced to re-close them?

59/ @BCassellius Important to be prepared for likelihood that we will need to switch from Hybrid to Virtual, Virtual to Hybrid etc.

Supt. notes that she realizes how challenging and difficult that reality is.

60/ Councilors headed to a 2nd round of questioning. @RicardoNArroyo notes that East Boston is currently above 8% testing positive rates. Less than 1% in other neighborhoods. DOT as high as 4-5%

This is way above the guardrails that Scarpino noted earlier.

61/ @RicardoNArroyo on fire right now. "I can't imagine being a parent right now and not knowing plans 2 or 3 weeks from now."

Cassellius understands concerns, asks for patience. Promises future answers on safety protocol concerns raised by Arroyo.

62/ @KenzieBok shares @wutrain's concerns about hopscotch simul-teaching plan. As a professor, Councilor Bok views simul-teaching as unworkable and not best practice.

Asks @BCassellius why this is the Hybrid model we are selecting?

63/ @BCassellius believes there is a misunderstanding of what the simul-teaching looks like.

If she were a teacher, direct instruction would serve both Live & Virtual students at same time, followed by independent practice.

But doesn't answer Q: Why was this model favored??

64/ @JessJTang states unequivocally: Hybrid plan is a bad plan. Not pedagogically sound.

BTU was shown demo of this simul-teaching model. Exemplar lesson was a disaster, even with technologically competent instructors & Ss.

65/ Maybe this is why @TammyPust never showed us her promised video of Simul-Teaching?

It's clear now why @bostonschools is equivocating on the simul-teaching model. They too have now recognized what everyone else has been screaming: Simul-teaching is not pedagogically sound.

66/ @LizBreadon asks about Ts with health concerns and Hybrid model. Will they be teaching remotely?

Ts in this situation will apply for (Family Medical Leave Act? missed statute, sorry). That process will determine whether they will be put on leave, furloughed, work virtually.

67/ @juliaforboston raises concerns about need to trust & verify safety protocols are in place.

Notes @MichaelJMaguire's concerns that Ts currently cannot get into their classrooms and verify clean environment, or what 6-feet of social distancing would look like.

68/ @CampbellforD4 How are we taking into account diff. levels of spread in our communities? @RicardoNArroyo also brought this issue up earlier.

Supt. says we are working with Boston health to monitor.

Campbell: We are under-testing. Lack info on magnitude of community spread

69/ @CampbellforD4 calls for a decision by tomorrow/Friday to start Virtual, and plan for how to best support most vulnerable learners.

City, Ts and families need time to plan for Virtual learning. Big challenges. We can't have that convo while still pushing Hybrid vs. Virtual.

70/ @wutrain Wants to drill down on Hybrid models in general vs BPS Hopscotch model. How can we pursue models that don't have simul-teaching.

Also notes its important to have post-Covid capacity #'s for buildings. How many Ss can our new HVAC bldgs safely hold?? Our old bldgs?

71/ @Wutrain's point is really important here. Hopscotch Hybrid model assumes all these bldgs can take 1/2 kids safely. Uniform approach can't work when some bldgs are much better equipped for ventilation than others.

72/ @Kim_Janey: "What's pretty clear to me, there are concerns about the Hybrid model." Advocates for starting Virtual in Sept.

Pushes for details on what Remote learning looks like. How much time are Ss on Zoom vs. working independently? How do we ensure all Ss are supported?

73/ @BCassellius Makes clear that virtual learning day will be 6.5 hours long.

@JessJTang Educationally inappropriate to be in front of a screen 6+ hours a day. Schedule needs to structure breaks.

74/ @Kim_Janey summarizes the hearing up well: If we don’t know what our virtual learning day should like yet, just a few weeks from the start of school, then we are not yet prepared for Virtual Learning.

75/ 4 hours into hearing, my laptop died. Community Q still to come.

Need to eat, will add thoughts later. But first impression is how lucky we are to have reps like @RicardoNArroyo @AnnissaForBos @juliaforboston @CampbellforD4 @LydiaMEdwards @wutrain @JessJTang @Kim_Janey

76/ We're now 5 hours into testimony. @AnnissaForBos a rockstar throughout in leading this hearing. Really important commentary from community members the past hour and still going strong -- parents, teachers, experts echoing the concerns we heard on panel.

77/ Supt no longer on the call, she will get a summary of remaining community testimony. Still a lengthy list of community members waiting patiently to provide testimony.

78/ Multiple community members have noted objections to the school district's decision to give away the McCormack's green space during a pandemic that makes these spaces even more vital.

79/ @MichaelJMaguire family raise concerns about lack of High School planning. Very little geared towards planning for HS models -- which require very different considerations. Concerns Re: autonomy for schools vs accountability?

Big problems Re: MBTA transporting HS students.

80/ Shout-outs to Councilors @KenzieBok @juliaforboston @RicardoNArroyo @Kim_Janey and @AnnissaForBos who are here 5.5 hours later still listening intently to public commentary.