Dear AUSD Community,
We announced yesterday the exciting news that the District and the Albany Teachers Association (ATA) reached a tentative agreement that, if ratified by ATA membership and approved by the Board of Education, launches the hybrid reopening process for all our schools, from Transitional Kindergarten to twelfth grade. I thank everyone involved in that process and the unwavering commitment by all to do what is best for students. In-person hybrid instruction is scheduled to begin in just a few weeks on the following dates.
Hybrid Program Opening Dates:
- Grades TK-K: March 15
- Grades 1st-3rd: March 22
- Grades 4th-6th: March 29
- Grades 7th-12th: April 5
Each school will host an online Family Forum, led by the principal and District staff, to answer questions about the Hybrid Program. The schools will be sending information to families about how to join the forum.
Family Forum dates:
- Albany & MacGregor High Schools: Feb. 25 at 7:00pm (FAQs here)
- Albany Middle School: Monday, March 1, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
- Cornell Elementary: Wednesday, March 3, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
- Marin Elementary: Thursday, March 4, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
- Ocean View Elementary: Thursday, March 4, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Hybrid Reopening—One Step of Many
As in other aspects of our lives affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, returning to in-person instruction will be a stepwise process. Each step will bring AUSD schools closer to our pre-pandemic model, although some aspects of education may be forever changed. Note that the initial AUSD hybrid reopening is one step toward a fully in-person education—it is not the last step, and not the only step.
For example, Albany Children’s Center Preschool has remained open continuously, but was in remote-learning-only mode until November, when in-person hubs were opened. This week, the preschool moved to a full 5-days a week, 7 hours a day program with nearly all the students choosing to come back to campus. A similar progression is envisioned for all Albany schools, with elementary grades opening in a hybrid model next. These hybrid learning opportunities (for those students whose parents choose for them to participate) will benefit students and put them on the path to improved mental health and a staged resumption of the more traditional classroom experiences that are ahead.
AUSD now focuses on finalizing the logistical details of hybrid reopening.
Administrative and teacher training for hybrid instruction will take place in early March, while the Elementary Family Hybrid Intent to Return is being tallied and cohort assignments made. Families will be provided with further information as it becomes available.
The Secondary Family Hybrid Intent to Return is now available to the parents/guardians of AMS and AHS students through Aeries at: https://albanyusd.asp.aeries.net/student/LoginParent.aspx. This is due by the end of day on Tuesday, March 2nd, so please fill it out before that deadline if you are interested in enrolling your child for in-person hybrid instruction.
For more details about the Hybrid Reopening Plans, please refer to these links:
- In-Person Learning Hubs: Community Update Feb. 12
- Hybrid Planning Background: Hybrid Reopening Plans: Background and Rationale
AUSD is committed to moving forward with hybrid reopening at full speed, and we look forward to welcoming students back to our campuses.
Stay encouraged,
Frank Wells, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Albany Unified School District