The Secretary of the Education Department (DE), Elba Aponte Santos, indicated that, as stipulated in the academic calendar, classes for the second semester of the 2020-2021 school year will resume on Monday, January 11, 2021, with the school staff going today, January 8, at work
“We are very happy and excited about the start of the second semester of the school and it is an honor for me to be able to work with it firsthand as a secretary. Initially, classes will be in remote mode, but we are working with a detailed plan with the Ministry of Health and National Guard for the COVID-19 vaccination process to ensure that schools are staggered and on everything, safe for our children, youth and staff. It is a responsibility that I take on with great determination and determination, ”said Aponte Santos.
Classes in the public education system continue in remote mode, mainly through the Teams platform, so the secretary urges parents or guardians to have the username and password ready.
Regarding the vaccination process, Aponte Santos recalled that the DE conducted a survey involving 71% of all agency workers. Of that total, 88% indicated that they wanted to be vaccinated. Staff are duly informed of the days they must attend for the administration of the vaccine.
In turn, the secretary reminded that from January 11, students’ study progress report will be generated and sent by email. The submission takes place per grade, starting at the basic level and continuing with the secondary level. It takes an estimated five days for complete submission. Parents or guardians must verify that the email registered in the online registration platform is available to receive the grades.
“It’s also important to mention that you can contact the school if they haven’t received a report card by January 15th or if you have any questions about it,” he added. In the event that parents do not receive the notes, they must notify the school and the school principals will establish their individual plans for personal note delivery, protecting virus prevention measures.
As part of the start of work agenda for educators, two lectures will be offered through the Teams platform aimed at managing and controlling emotions. The first lecture, to be delivered by school psychologists today, January 8, is for school staff and will address the issues of emotion management, change management, and student identification that require particular attention. The second lecture is offered for students of all levels and focuses on dealing with emotions.
“We invite the entire school community to participate in these lectures which are very useful for everyone. In a pleasant way, three school psychologists shared their knowledge with us in order to work on those areas that may affect us in our daily life. Likewise, our schools have school psychologists who are available to treat every situation and to support all members of our schools, ”concluded Aponte Santos.