MBUSD finalizes learning continuity plan, takes next step toward re-opening schools

By Andonia Goergen

Executive News Editor

The Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD) Board of Trustees adopted its finalized learning and continuity plan for the 2020-21 school year on Sept. 30 and began the transition back to in-person school for specified groups this month.

The learning continuity and attendance plan addresses how the district will continue to handle learning during the COVID-19 crisis and any new factors implemented to aid students with distance learning. It considers the needs of students, parents and educators during this period. The board discussed the plan for several months before releasing the finalized version.

“We have spent a lot of time this summer and this fall working to make distance learning a better experience for our students,” MBUSD Superintendent Dr. Mike Matthews said. “So far, it seems like students are having a more consistent experience.”

To improve distance learning for the beginning of the school year, MBUSD added new elements into the plan to consider feedback from those in the community. Among these added elements are two distance learning Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSA), professional development for all teachers and the purchasing of additional Chromebooks for students who need them. 

“People spent a lot of time over the summer and were really thoughtful in trying to understand what challenges faced us with this unknown situation, as well as provide solutions,” MBUSD psychologist and member of the district’s Steering Committee to re-open schools Lynn Burrell said. 

The district also shifted grades 3-12 onto the online learning platform Google Classroom and grades TK-2 onto the platform SeeSaw. Students can find all assignments and directions from teachers on their respective platform. 

“I think taking the time to methodically think about each step was really valuable in the district’s planning,” Burrell said. 

The plan requires 180 instructional minutes of class per day for kindergarten, 90 of which must be live instruction. Grades 1-3 requires 230 minutes per day with 115 minutes of live instructional learning. Grades 4-12 require 240 instructional minutes per day. These designated lesson durations are intended to keep teacher instruction consistent and avoid any problems that students faced during the spring semester.

“When we were told that due to L.A.’s Department of Health guidelines that we would have to start the year via long distance, a greater focus was placed on developing a detailed long distance learning plan,” Burrell said. “The  community shared they wanted a more robust program, and I think the district delivered.”

At its Oct. 7 meeting, the board discussed the next step to returning students to in-person school, which is the implementation of a high-need hybrid. The high-need hybrid entails small cohorts of a maximum of 14 students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and children who are English Learners (EL) returning to campus for assessments or if they require special in-school educational services. 

“The big question for our district, and one that most parents are concerned about, is how do we get in-person learning going as soon as possible in MBUSD, particularly for our students with IEPs and then for our students in grades TK-2,” Matthews said. 

This month, the district is projected to implement in-person assessments for high-need students grades 6-12, and a return to school for elementary students who require special day classes (SDC) or are a part of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program (DHH).

“The difficulty I found was the state and Department of Health’s constant changing or updating of criteria,” Burrell said. “Plans always had and have to be re-examined and reworked to meet these new needs.”

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors released a waiver application on Oct. 5 to begin the transition back to in-person schooling. This provides MBUSD and other districts in the county with the opportunity to apply for approval for in-person instruction for grades TK-2. The district is beginning preparations for the implementation of elementary school hybrid learning in the event that the waiver is approved.

 “Our job is to determine how we can provide quality services, while making our schools safe for our employees and our students,” Matthews said. “It is an enormous challenge, a critical task and it will remain our focus for the weeks to come.”