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Pasadena Unified Releases School Opening Guide for Parents

Published on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 | 9:29 am
 

Pasadena school officials released a guidebook for parents regarding the phased reopening of local schools, as conditions permit, over the coming school year.

The Pasadena Unified School District’s 2020-2021 School Reopening Guide is available for download on the PUSD website.

“The intent of this guide is to provide our families, students and staff insight into what the 2020-2021 school year will look like based on the latest information, guidance and mandates from state, county, and public health authorities,” PUSD Superintendent Brian McDonald wrote in the guidebook. “Please note that this document is subject to change.”

“Updates will be shared with you and will be posted on our website at www.pusd.us/covid19,” the district added in a written statement.

The PUSD has been working on a plan for returning students to school, both physically and through distance learning, since the onset of the pandemic, “keeping in mind the unique learning needs of students, the impact the virus is having on working families, and the health and safety of all in the school community,” according to McDonald. “The health and safety of our students and staff is at the forefront of all our work.”

It has already been determined that the PUSD, like most other school districts throughout Los Angeles County, will begin the year with remote learning only.

“We will continue to closely monitor and evaluate public health conditions and data. We are preparing for the safe return of students and staff for in-person learning and will switch to in-person learning in accordance with the most recent state and local guidelines and in collaboration with our labor partners,” McDonald said.

The School Reopening Guide describes four designated risk levels, ranging from “negligible” to “high,” coinciding with county and state guidelines, and outlines the district’s response to each one.

“PUSD’s plan is designed to allow for a smooth transition from one instructional model to another,” the guidebook states. “A waiver application process is being designed by the Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to allow schools to transition from remote learning to in-person learning models.”

But school officials will be poised to take action if the novel coronavirus should surge after students have returned to campuses, according to the guidebook. 

“If health and safety conditions change during in-person learning, a cohort, classroom, school, or district may have to return to remote learning. Movement between PUSD Instructional Models is determined through consultation with PPHD and subject to agreements with our labor partners.”

A “high” risk level triggers Phase 1 of the district’s reopening plan, which is the current status, is in effect when stay-at-home orders affecting all but essential businesses are in place.

Under Phase 1 in the guide, all learning is remote and meals are provided in a “grab-and-go” format at designated locations. Campuses can be accessed by a limited number of staff members, but are off-limits for students, visitors and volunteers.

Phase 2, or medium risk, entails “gradual opening of some lower-risk workplaces,” according the guide. Under those conditions, learning will remain remote, but school facilities will be open to staff, as well as a limited number of students and adult visitors. Childcare centers are to be open under Phase 2.

Phase 3, described as “low” risk, occurs when public health officials give the OK for the gradual reopening of higher-risk business, schools and colleges, the guide explains. PUSD schools would operate in a hybrid model of both in-person and remote learning, with no more than 50 percent of a student body on any campus at any time. Strict social distancing measures and safety protocols remain in place.

Parents would be provided the option to have their children continue participating in online-only instruction during Phase 3, if they choose, according to the guidebook. More information will be provided during the first semester regarding the opportunity for students and families to opt into continuing with the 100 percent Online Model once plans to return in-person under Hybrid Model are announced.

“Negligible” risk, defined as a return to normal operations, will prompt the PUSD to return to traditional scheduling, “but prepared to revert to Phase 1, 2 or 3 depending on risk level and with minimal disruption to student learning,” according to the guide.

Officials said the PUSD planned to begin distributing academic supplies, such as textbooks, electronic devices and other equipment, to students on Aug. 10.

“To ensure the safety of students, school staff, and families, distribution will be staggered over several dates and times,” according to a PUSD statement. Each school will set its own schedule and communicate it to parents. Dates may also be scheduled to return supplies from last year.

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