Despite calls from teachers to delay start date, Fresno superintendent says ‘we’re ready’
One week before the first day of school, Fresno Unified School District’s superintendent said “we’re ready” for the coronavirus pandemic era despite calls from teachers to delay the start date.
Teachers are being trained in distance learning this week, schedules have been finalized and school sites where meals can be picked up have been chosen.
“Our leaders … are working collaboratively and have not let up since March in redesigning learning and planning together,” Superintendent Bob Nelson said during a news conference Monday afternoon. “So, we’re ready and we’ll continue to be positive and nimble and creative and try to do all we can to meet the needs of our students.”
The Fresno Teachers Association has been critical of the lack of details in Fresno Unified’s distance learning plans. Since July 17, teachers have asked the district to postpone the start date so they could have more time to prepare for distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fresno Unified didn’t release a formal document that outlines distance learning plans until July 31. The district also hasn’t publicly considered delaying the start date.
Start with two days of orientation
“I think we’re on the road to being prepared but I wouldn’t say we’re 100% prepared nor would I believe we could ever be there but as far as feeling comfortable (with distance learning) we’ve come a long way,” FTA President Manuel Bonilla said in an interview Monday.
Bonilla said the FTA won a concession from the district to make the first two days of school, Aug. 17 and 18, orientation days.
Nelson said those two days will be dedicated to building relationships. From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. teachers and administrators will be making sure students have all the technology and supplies they need.
Teachers also have the choice of working from home and/or out of their classrooms, Nelson said, but it’s unknown how many teachers are choosing to return to the classroom.
Starting the school year virtually has never been done before, Nelson said, and teachers need time to plan and address challenges that they’re going to face.
“We expect to grow and learn and develop as we go,” Nelson said. “I’m grateful to share that the dedication to learn and to adjust is as strong as ever in the Fresno Unified team. What you see is a lot of people who are a little unsure what the future is going to be, but excited to tackle the unknown.”
Schedules and meals
There will be 63 school sites where parents can pick up their children’s breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., Nelson said. A list of schools can be found at fresnounified.nutrislice.com.
Students and parents can now log on to their Atlas Portals to find their schedules and teachers, Nelson said. Live class instruction begins at 9 a.m. everyday.
Every Monday, students and parents will get an update from their teachers on what to expect for the coming week, Nelson said. Teachers will have office hours from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. two days a week to assist families who need help. The other two days of the week, teachers will be collaborating with their colleagues on distance-learning strategies.
All school sites will host virtual meetings every week to answer questions about online learning. Campuses will also have hotlines teachers and parents can call for help.
Pre-kindergarten through 6th grade
Transitional kindergartners and kindergartners will have three 30-minute blocks of instruction, Nelson said. First- through sixth-graders will have three 45-minute classes.
In the afternoon, teachers will provide individual help for students who need it. Also in the afternoon, students will be taught art, receive social-emotional help, and have time to be in clubs.
In addition to regular instruction, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Pre-kindergarten to third-graders can tune into PBS to watch lessons.
Middle school, high school
Middle and high school students will be on a block schedule, Nelson said. Depending on the day, students will either attend their odd or even period classes and have three-hour-long blocks for instruction.
“We’re setting that up for when we actually do go back, that way our kids are not mixing as much during the course of the day and they’re interacting with fewer people,” Nelson said.
In the afternoons, middle and high schoolers will have time to be in clubs, athletics or receive additional help from their teachers and get social-emotional help.
“I want to admit that things may not be perfect but that we definitely want to be of support to you and resolve any challenges that families are having,” Trustee Veva Islas said during the news conference.
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This story was originally published August 10, 2020 at 5:19 PM.