Four Winds in Gill starting school year with hybrid model

GILL — Four Winds School will follow a hybrid learning model at least until the end of October, with students at school two days each week.

According to school Director Becca Lipton, Monday will be a regular in-person class day, Tuesday to Thursday will be a mix of synchronous and asynchronous assignments, and Friday will be all outdoors, weather permitting. Class starts on Sept. 14.

The curriculum of Four Winds School, at 54 French King Highway, always emphasizes independent work and outdoor activity, so the school adapted reasonably well to the new limitations, she said.

Four Winds, which teaches children in fifth through eighth grades, is small enough that at least some amount of in-person instruction could be considered safe, Lipton said. The school’s enrollment is capped at 14, and this year only 10 students are enrolled so far, leaving a few spaces still open.

However, she said, staff also recognize the need to clean the school regularly and to leave time for the small building to air out.

“Not being in person would be the safest,” Lipton said. “However, we really felt that if we just had one day a week where we could connect with the kids, check in, work with them one-on-one, it would make a big difference.”

Originally, the plan had been to be in person only on Mondays, and to be remote the rest of the week so the building would air out. But upon further thought, the school decided it could have students in person but outside on Fridays.

Normally, Lipton said, Fridays are devoted to outdoor activities or field trips anyway. Some field trips are not doable now, Lipton said, but hiking trips and other outdoor activities can still be done.

A tent outside the school will also make it possible to do classwork on Friday mornings, Lipton said, and the afternoon will be devoted to other activities.

Weather will determine whether Friday activities are possible. If it is raining or too cold, Friday’s instruction may be done remotely that week, Lipton said.

Students can also opt out of the in-person elements, if families are uncomfortable sending them to school in person, and instead access classes on Mondays and Fridays remotely. A few families have done that, Lipton said.

This plan is in place until the end of October. As that approaches, Lipton said the school will re-evaluate, mostly based on rates of COVID-19 cases locally.

Reach Max Marcus at mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.