Coronavirus concerns shut down two Fresno-area schools; bus pass program gets new life
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Hello, Ed Lab readers,
Fresno-area schools remain vigilant protecting students and staff from the novel coronavirus, following confirmation of the first known case in Fresno County.
The school district announced Tuesday evening that Parlier High and Brletic Elementary will be closed until Monday after the Fresno County Department of Health identified that a Parlier Unified student recently traveled to an area of risk for the coronavirus COVID-19.
The Fresno-area schools join other schools around the state like the Elk Grove School District near Sacramento have shuttered.
But while no local students have tested positive to date, Fresno-area schools have taken steps to reduce risk. Local colleges have canceled some student travel programs.
Two Fresno City College events were canceled because participants were from areas that have had known community-spread coronavirus cases, according to officials. The upcoming Forensics Conference was canceled and a Philosophy Club guest speaker that would have spoken this past Friday was also scrapped.
But, as of early Wednesday, no local classes had been canceled.
The Ed Lab took a look to see what area schools are doing to protect students and staff and explored why health officials are not recommending all students wear masks on campuses.
Do you have an education question you’d like us to answer? Let us know! Contact the Ed Lab edlab@fresnobee.com.
In other education news
While coronavirus-related information remains a top priority and concern, other important education stories continue to develop in Fresno and beyond.
Student bus passes
When Ed Lab began reporting this story last month, administration officials said they could no longer fund this program that helps thousands of Fresno-area college students get to class. Last night, State Center Community College officials voted to extend the district’s free bus pass program through the fall 2020 semester.
The unanimous vote came after elected officials scrambled to find funding before the program ended in May, and with it, student’s ability to get to class. Over 1 million bus rides have been taken since 2017 when the program began at Fresno City College and Clovis Community College. The Fresno Bee Ed Lab
Homeless college students
The Ed Lab’s Ashleigh Panoo explored a program aiming to help homeless community college students. Fresno City College late last week announced grant funding in connection with a pilot program seeking to tackle the issue. The Fresno Bee Ed Lab
School bonds struggling
Supporters this week clung to the hope that continued ballot counting from Super Tuesday will breathe new life into Proposition 13 - the statewide school bond proposal - and the nearly half dozen proposals that are struggling to pass.
But for many Fresno-area schools, those hopes are dim. The Fresno Bee Ed Lab
The apparent rejection has caused a lot of soul-searching and speculation from supporters and critics.
The L.A. Times’ George Skelton on Monday noted that “voters passed 21 school bonds and killed 64; 36 are still undecided.” Skelton noted “many voters mistakenly suspected that the (state) school bond 13 was an attempt to repeal or undermine the original (Prop. 13). Be sure to check out Skelton’s full column. Los Angeles Times
Listening sessions and Coffee hours
The Ed Lab has been conducting open coffee hours over the last two weeks at the Fresno State Library. We’re back there this Friday, March 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. We’ve had some great conversations. The Fresno Bee Ed Lab
We’re also hosting our first community listening session in Spanish at the Betty Rodriguez Library, 3040 N. Cedar Ave., this Thursday, March 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Fresno Bee Ed Lab
If you live near the Betty Rodriguez Library, please come out to one of our listening sessions. We would love to hear from you. If you would like us to set up listening sessions in your community, please let us know at edlab@fresnobee.com.
Ven a una sesión de escucha en español para el Laboratorio de Educación
El Laboratorio de Educación tendrá sus primeras sesiones de escuchar en español, en la biblioteca Betty Rodriguez 3040 N. Cedar Ave. este jueves, marzo 5 de 9:30 a.m. a 12:30 p.m. Nos encantaría hablar contigo. Ven para la biblioteca y sea parte de la conversación.
What we’re reading at Ed Lab
Coronavirus and closing schools
Sonali Kohli asks how schools decide to close. “The California Department of Public Health has released guidance for schools and colleges to help determine whether and when to shut campus doors.” The Los Angeles Times
UC tuition hike?
Larry Gordon reports: “A radically new model of tuition increases, encompassing five hikes over the next five years, is set to be considered by the University of California Board of Regents next week.” EdSource
Does Teach for America work?
Hannah Wiley this week reported: “A former math teacher in the California State Assembly launched a new effort to restrict Teach for America, the national nonprofit organization that helps staff public schools with entry-level educators on short-term contracts.” The Sacramento Bee
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 here.