WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — It’s something parents and students are anxiously wondering. What will the school year look like this fall?
The West Bloomfield School District is one of the first to unveil its initial plan. This new plan actually consists of three plans, none of which look like a normal classroom learning experience.
The school system says they’ve been talking with staff and parents who have told them, without a COVID-19 vaccine available they are against the traditional school setting.
“We began to see the handwriting on the wall that ‘normal’ was probably not going to be normal.”
Deanna Barash is the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning of West Bloomfield Schools.
The school district is one of the first in our area that has come up with a plan for the K through 12 new school year.
Plan A:
About half the kids will attend in-person class Monday and Tuesday and then have remote learning the rest of the week.
The other half of students will learn at home beginning of the week and attend school Thursday and Friday.
School buildings will be closed on Wednesdays for deep cleanings.
Plan B:
The continuation of remote learning for all students if a stay home order is in place.
Plan C:
Online learning only and will be offered to everyone, regardless of the situation.
“We have lots of families that are just unsure about sending their kids back to school.”
The district has already provided Chromebooks and WiFi hot-spots for families who need it. Childcare is also going to be an issue for parents on remote learning days.
That’s why the district will dedicate a separate building for families who need that, but the cost of that is undetermined right now.
Some folks expressed their concern on the school district’s Facebook page. Others praise the district for coming up with a plan early.
“Know that we’ve considered all the options,” Barash added.
The school year was supposed to start after Labor Day, but now it’s begins on August 26th. Another issue to address is social distancing, which could be difficult during in-person days.
“How we line up to go to lunch? What it looks like when we get on the bus? We are also going to have to remind students keep distance.”
Barash says if there is a way for traditional learning to start safely, they will go down that path. Until then, families should be ready for different plans.
“The whole world is upside down right now. We understand this is very difficult.”
What about recess or gym class? How can you have that and expect students to practice social distancing? That’s something school officials are still working on.
The district will be holding a virtual community session Thursday evening and Friday morning.
For a link to that go to:
Thursday: https://facebook.com/events/s/classroom-to-cloud-framework-f/632341064025566/?ti=icl
Friday: https://facebook.com/events/s/classroom-to-cloud-framework-f/2595700444038859/?ti=icl
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