Good evening Drexel Hill School Parents/Guardians and Families,

Last night, the School Board approved a phased Flexible Reopening of School Plan that allows in-person instruction to occur, while following all of the recommendations from the Department of Health. There are many components to this plan, and you can review all of the details for K-12 programs at our district website. Tonight I want to take a moment to specifically address what this means for our families and children at Drexel Hill Middle School. For a visual aid, I have attached a copy of the slides that detail the proposal for our school.

The total student body will be divided into five (5) sections that we are calling “cohorts.” Each cohort will attend one full day of school each week, with the remainder of time participating by virtual learning in live classroom sessions with their teachers. Children who receive a supplemental level or Life Skills or Autistic Support will be able to attend their programs in person every day of the school week. All recommended practices of social distancing and wearing a mask that covers both mouth and nose are in place for every child and adult at in-person instruction. 

Under this plan, we can continue to offer the same classes we currently offer, without changing schedules or teachers assigned to your children. The cohort assignments we sent out in the summer WILL change, because we have to reconfigure based on the reduction of neighborhood planning units and dividing the student body by five instead of four cohorts. Each cohort will hold roughly 290 children, which is a little more than 90 children in each grade in school at a given point. I will send out a Cohort Update when we have the new cohort assignments indicated for your child in the Home Access Center. 

Some families and children may not yet be comfortable with an in-person environment. We have extended the survey sent in last week’s Wednesday Folder so that you can let us know if you would prefer to continue to attend as a fully virtual student. The flexibility in our program will allow your child to maintain his/her schedule with all courses and teachers as they are currently rostered. The virtual school day will be a little longer than the current model because we are reducing the independent (asynchronous) work in favor of more time engaged with live instruction. 

So many families reached out to ask clarifying questions and to share ideas, concerns, and observations. Thank you all and please don’t be afraid to continue to reach out to me or my team with your questions. We are here to serve you. In fact, one such family reached out today and asked if they could have a copy of the daily bell schedule because the presentation uses the BHMS schedule. I have attached that as well.

Here is the link to our family survey. The survey has been extended and will close Friday afternoon.  

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7BHPVBG

In other news:

All families - If your child (or a child you know) volunteers and make a difference in this community, the Prudential Spirit of the Community Award application information is attached to tonight's message. The due date is November 5, so please review the attachment early enough to work on an application. 

All families - The DHMS Music Department has prepared to host a Virtual Chorus. They are excited to get you singing again, even if it is into a Chromebook! I have attached their information to this message. Though it might go horribly wrong, I may jump in to show off my outstanding vocal talent. 

8th Grade families -  The team at the High School typically holds an 8th Grade presentation as part of their open house.  The presentation below is developed for you as an introduction to the High School. They will hold an additional parent night and spring open house next semester. 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kyiopfsoz5674q8/class%20of%202025%20video.mov?dl=0 

I wish you all the best, please stay healthy!

-Dr. Alloway 

Please review the following information and attachments as part of our weekly electronic folder which can be found in your email:

• Prudential Community Spirit Award Information
• Virtual Chorus
• Daily Schedule
• Flexible Presentation