Expanded 6-12 Hybrid Program

Dear Students and Families,

We are excited to share with you the plans for the expanded hybrid programs at Richfield Middle School and Richfield High School, which take effect on Thursday, April 8.

As we shared on February 19, due to lowering COVID-19 case rates and updated guidance from the state, we are able to expand our in-person instructional time with students at the secondary level. This week we have been working with teachers and staff to develop these plans. Here are the highlights, with links to web pages where you can find additional information.

It is important that families learn about this expanded program and discuss their enrollment preference.

On Monday, March 8, we sent out an enrollment survey. We will need to know by Friday, March 12, which students plan to participate in the expanded hybrid program and which students prefer to remain in distance learning. Each family should complete one survey per child.

Richfield Middle School

• The new student schedule applies to distance learning students as well as in-person/hybrid students.
• The normal class periods have been replaced by longer 65-minute blocks. 
• There is daily advisory time scheduled for College and Career Readiness (CCR), social-emotional learning (SEL) and/or team building.
• All students are in distance learning on Wednesdays to complete assignments, meet with teachers during office hours, etc. 
• Students in the hybrid program will be in the building four days each week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday), which will include academic, content-based classes.
• Learn more and view the schedule on the Richfield Middle School website.

Richfield High School

• The new student schedule applies to distance learning students as well as in-person/hybrid students.
• There is daily AIR Pod time.
• All students are in distance learning on Wednesdays to complete assignments, meet with teachers, attend grade-level meetings, etc. 
• Students in the hybrid program will be in the building four days each week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday), which will include academic, content-based classes.
• Learn more and view the schedule on the Richfield High School website.

South Education Center

• Students in the distance learning program will have no change in the model. Student schedules, asynchronous mornings and synchronous instruction will remain the same.
• Transition Plus 
  • T-Plus students who choose the expanded hybrid program will come in-person on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m.-3:20 p.m. Lunch will be provided on site. 
  • All T-Plus students are in distance learning on Fridays to complete assignments asynchronously.
• Extended Campus Program
  • ECP students who choose the expanded hybrid program will come in-person on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m.-3:20 p.m. Lunch will be provided on-site. 
  • All ECP students are in distance learning on Wednesdays to complete assignments asynchronously.

Richfield College Experience Program

• Distance Learners will have no change in the model. Student schedules, asynchronous mornings and synchronous instruction will remain the same.
• Students who choose the expanded hybrid program will come in-person to RCEP Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m.-12:50 p.m. with the option of staying through the afternoon to work asynchronously or join in synchronous lessons for a review. Lunch will be provided on-site. 
• All students are in distance learning on Wednesdays to complete assignments asynchronously.
• Teachers will have online office hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 3:25-3:55 p.m. for student meetings, drop-ins and homework help.
• Learn more and view the schedule on the Richfield College Experience Program website.

Because we will no longer have small, contained pods of students, it is essential that we use seating charts in every class, as well as on buses and at lunch. In the event that an individual tests positive for COVID-19, this will allow us to identify those students/staff who were in close contact with that individual. We will also continue to enforce our face covering policy and follow other safety protocols recommended in the state guidance for safe schools.

To plan student schedules and bus routes, as well as to allow our teachers time to prepare for this transition, Monday, April 5, through Wednesday, April 7, will be No School days for 6-12 students. 

You can expect to hear more about these changes directly from your child’s school and/or teacher(s) over the next few weeks. 

In the meantime, please talk over this expanded hybrid program option as a family before completing the enrollment survey. Again, please fill out one form per child. Once a form is complete for a child, it cannot be reopened. You will need to contact your school office to make any changes. 

Please contact your child’s school if you have specific questions about their expanded hybrid program.