California school reopening guidelines include continuing online learning
Local districts have for weeks been working on their own guidelines to reopening, some of which hint at drastic changes to public schooling
SACRAMENTO, Calif — California's Department of Education has released a detailed how-to guide to safely reopen schools in the age of face masks and physical distancing.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond says it will serve as a road map for school districts as they prepare for the return of classes. The 55-page manual released Monday is titled “Stronger Together: A Guidebook for the Safe Reopening of California’s Public Schools.”
“The guidance sets the bar high. Safety first, our top priority based on the information that we have from health experts,” said Thurmond.
Guidelines include recommendations on face coverings for staff and students and recommendations on the importance of taking temperatures before students and staff enter the campus.
Thurmond says many parents have also expressed an interest in continuing online learning, which will be incorporated.
The California Department of Education suggested something they call "blended learning." It's where some students attend class in person while others continue instruction online.
“This is going to be a very difficult task for Sac City Unified,” said Jorge Aguilar, superintendent of Sacramento City Unified School District
Capacity will also be a key issue for schools like Elk Grove Unified School District.
“Every one of our students have something unique that they connect to and so in having to figure out who is able to come in and when is going to be one of the biggest challenges,” said Xanthi Pinkerton, spokesperson for Elk Grove Unified.
Schools across California have been closed since mid-March when Gov. Gavin Newsom issued CONTINUE READING: California schools chief details plan for reopening | abc10.com
