KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Students returning to Kalamazoo Public Schools will have the option to do so in either a virtual or face-to-face format, as announced by Superintendent Rita Raichoudhuri Wednesday.
During a virtual town hall meeting, Dr. Raichoudhuri explained the options, saying that parents have a limited window of how they want to opt in.
Parents who have concerns relating to COVID-19 will be able to continue using the virtual model, which the district has already done during the last year.
Dr. Raichoudhuri says that even if students choose to return to in-person learning, CDC guidelines will still be in place. Students, staff and visitors will still be required to be worn in school, on the property and on buses. Exceptions are made for certain activities, such as meals.
Social distancing will be enforced wherever possible. For the buildings themselves, bipolar ionization will be in place for schools and buses. Buildings will also be ventilated for three hours before and after every school day.
Dr. Raichoudhuri adds that it will be the responsibility of parents every day before sending them off to in-person learning, and that includes checking for basic COVID-19 symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chills, cough and lack of taste or smell. A child with a fever of 100.4 degrees or more should stay home.
Parents will also be expected to talk with their children about the protocols and precautions in place.
“This is a major aspect of our mitigation plan,” Dr. Raichoudhuri said. “Our findings show there were no outbreaks in schools where this mitigation strategy, along with mask-wearing fidelity at all times, was followed. We are relying on our parents and guardians to keep our students, employees and community safe.”
A form of commitment will be provided to all parents who choose to send students to in-person learning.
Dr. Raichoudhuri made note that if the pandemic worsens, or there is an outbreak at a school, the district may revert back to a virtual learning plan anyway.
Where virtual learning is concerned, classes will include both a learning platform and lessons with a teacher, much of which is self-paced, according to Dr. Raichoudhuri.
However, as previously stated, parents have a limited time window into making a decision, as well as a limited window to change the decision.
In order to sign up for face-to-face learning, there will be no action needed, but parents will not be able to make a decision after a deadline of May 3.
In order to sign up for virtual learning, parents must opt-in by May 3. Parents will have until June 6 at midnight to change their minds, or before the end of trimester 1 and 2 with proper notice.
Doing so may cause a student to lose placement in their preferred school, based on seating availability. After the deadline is reached, a student will be locked in to whichever option was chosen.
To watch the town hall conference, click here.
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