Here’s what to expect when California schools reopen in the fall

Although California schools are set to reopen in the fall, classes should not return to normal, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond advised Monday during a news conference.

Students may alternate distance learning days with in-person days, and mask-wearing and temperature-checking will be the norm.

Thurmond said the state Department of Education worked with health officials, educators, parents and students on its guidebook on how schools can safely reopen, which he released Monday. It is not a “one-size-fits-all” document, he said, but a guideline while districts are urged to follow their local county health advisories about COVID-19.

Although schools are free to create their own scheduling based on needs, the document provided several examples of scheduling.

In one of the report’s outlined options, half of the school’s population attends in-person, while the other stays home for distance learning. Then the next week, students rotate, so the other half attends school.

Another option would be a two-day rotation, where kindergarten through third grade would attend Monday and Tuesday, then fourth through sixth grades on Wednesday and Thursday. Teachers would get a professional learning day on Fridays.

On the three days students are not in school, “students are engaged in enrichment opportunities ... either on site or with community partners, that are coordinated by school instructional staff. This could mean small group instruction for certain student groups, such as English learners receiving designated English language development.”

Thurmond said most schools would give parents the option of 100% distance learning and that the option could make it safer for those who need to attend class.

“We know that many of our students really need in-class instruction,” he said. “Their parents may need to work, they may be the children of essential workers and in many cases, these are children who just need to have contact again with peers and educators and support staff.”

Mask wearing and social distancing

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday that schools would get personal protective equipment.

Although students and faculty will be asked to wear masks or face coverings, those who have medical conditions or trouble breathing will not be required to.

“Teachers could use face shields, which enable students to see their faces and to avoid potential barriers to phonological instruction,” according to the guidance released Monday.

Students should wear masks while waiting to enter school, while on school grounds and while leaving school and on the bus. The only exceptions are when eating or drinking. Educators should come up with a safety plan for students who refuse or cannot wear masks, the report says.

Educators are coming up with creative ways to maintain a six-foot distance between students, Thurmond said. Teachers will use cafeterias, gyms and some outside areas as makeshift classrooms.

Field trips and group events could be replaced with virtual activities, and physical education will be based on no-contact activities.

Meals could be served in classrooms, and the guidance report said that the use of shared tables and self-serve buffets would be suspended.

Students who are at home may be able to get meal delivery if it can be implemented.

Masks should be worn on buses, and students and parents should practice social distancing at bus stops, Thurmond said. To avoid walking past each other, students should be boarded based on the order they will be dropped off.

Students could be seated one to a bench on both sides, skipping every other row, or one to a bench, alternating rows to create a zigzag pattern.

A spike in the fall?

Thurmond said educators must prepare to switch to distance learning if the coronavirus spikes again in the fall. He said the guidebook would likely change as schools attempt to implement the recommendations and as openings draw closer in August.

He said contact tracing ability is high on the list of priorities when students return to school. Students could be quarantined if they were exposed to the coronavirus.

“Our success on reopening schools relies on continual monitoring,” he said. “We expect the guidance will be adjusted as we go, as we learn more information.”

The Education Lab is a local journalism initiative that highlights education issues critical to the advancement of the San Joaquin Valley. It is funded by donors. Learn about The Bee’s Education Lab on our website.

This story was originally published June 8, 2020 at 2:38 PM.