Nashua schools moving to hybrid model, welcoming some students back for the first time since March Updated: 10:19 PM EST Feb 14, 2021 Substitute staffing issues continue Updated: 10:19 PM EST Feb 14, 2021 Hide Transcript Show Transcript THROUGH THE SCHOOL YEAR--BUT OFFICIALS CAUTION STAFFING CHALLENGES AND COVID CASES COULD CAUSE A SWITCH BACK TO REMOTE. LIKE FOR MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS-- IT HAS BEEN A LONG YEAR FOR NASHUA. :03;33-:03;38 "I CERTAINLY THINK IT'S BEEN TIRING AND CHALLENGING AND FRUSTRATING. AND THERE HAVEN'T BEEN CLEAR ANSWERS." BUT INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT GARTH MCKINNEY SAYS HIS TEAM, TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS HAVE TAKEN THOSE CHALLENGES HEAD- ON. AND NOW THE DISTRICT IS READY TO MOVE TO HYBRID LEARNING. :01;02-:01;16 "PRE- SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE BEEN IN, KINDERGARTEN, FIRST GRADE STUDENTS, AND OUR CAREER AND TECHNICAL STUDENTS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL HAVE BEEN IN. BUT A MAJORITY OF THE KIDS AT THE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL, THIS WILL BE THEIR FIRST RETURN." SAFETY PRECAUTIONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN AHEAD OF THE STUDENTS' ARRIVAL. MCKINNEY IS HOPING TO KEEP THEM IN THE CLASSROOM, BUT ADDS THERE'S ALWAYS A CHANCE SCHOOLS MAY NEED TO SWITCH BACK TO REMOTE IF THE CITY SEES A RISE IN COVID CASES. :05;47-:05;53 "THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, BOTH THE CITY AND THE STATE, HAVE GIVEN US GUIDANCE. AND WE'RE RIGHT ON THE CUSP BETWEEN HYBRID AND REMOTE." BUT A STAFF SHORTAGE COULD ALSO PLAY A ROLE-- IN PARTICULAR RETAINING SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS. IT'S SOMETHING NASHUA AND NEW HAMPSHIRE HAS A WHOLE HAVE STRUGGLED WITH EVEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC. :01;50-:01;52 "AND NOW IT'S LIKE A WHOLE NEW THING DURING COVID." THE DISTRICT HAS MADE SOME CHANGES INCLUDING INCREASING THE DAILY WAGE. AN ATTEMPT TO HAVE MORE SUBSTITUTES ON HAND SHOULD TEACHERS NEED TO CALL OUT DUE TO ILLNESS OR QUARANTINE. :01;54-:02;00 "WE'RE HOPING TO RECRUIT SOME FOLKS, BUT AGAIN IT IS ONE OF THOSE MOST CHALLENGING AREAS." IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN A SUBSTITUTE POSITION-- MCKINNEY SAYS YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION BY LOGGING ON TO NASHUA.E