Options for resuming local schools

POMEROY–The School District has received seven preliminary examples or options to consider for reopening school in the fall for the 2020-2021 school year from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). According to Rachel Gwinn, Superintendent, meetings at the Education Services District (ESD) level, as well as the OSPI, are ongoing, and there are still a lot of unknowns at this time.

Option 1 is the traditional on-site, face-to-face school. Gwinn says that although this is her preference, the possibility of returning to this plan “looks bleak unless a vaccine or remedy is created.”

Option 2 includes a “split or rotating schedule” where groups of students would be grouped in order to “reduce person-to-person contact” by having “fewer students onsite at any given time.” Groupings could be by age or grade level, classrooms, content focus, student needs, or by choice of student or family.

Option 3 combines the “split or rotating schedule with distance learning.” This would include a “substantial portion of learning occurring off-site,” which could be accomplished through online courses, videoconferencing, or “full alternate siting.”

Option 4 is a “phased-in opening without distance learning.” This would be based on “county or district mandates or priorities.” It could include “some school facilities open for some groups of students, while others remain closed until a later date.” Those not attending onsite, would be participating in a “continuous learning mode until more fully open.”

Option 5 is a “phased-in opening with distance learning.” The difference from Option 4 is that students not attending onsite would be participating in distance learning.

Option 6 is known as “Continuous Learning 1.0,” which is how the state’s schools have been operating since the closure began in March. The OSPI states in the document that this model “is not a viable approach for the 2020-2021 year.” Gwinn agrees that more needs to be done to improve the current model, which has not worked well so far because of the lack of participation by students.

Option 7, “Continuous Learning 2.0,” would be the improved version of the current model.

“More guidance is expected from OSPI by June 8,” said Gwinn. She will also be working with the Garfield County Health District to develop a “plan for cleaning and sanitizing”, and “social distancing measures to keep students and staff safe.” Teachers may have to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), and everyone may have to be more involved with sanitizing. They will also have to make a plan for isolating sick children until they can go home. The PPE supplies, as well as thermometers, would have to be ordered through the ESD.

Gwinn told the school board that the school district will not be opening early in the fall, and if the rotating schedule is adopted, it may only be for the first few months of the school year.