Pasadena Unified Will Reopen in August Using Hybrid Model

Although the situation with COVID-19 continues to rapidly change, the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) still plans to reopen on Aug. 17 using a hybrid model that blends in-person and distance learning. 

In a message to PUSD families, SuperintendentBrian McDonald wrote: “While we would rather open schools in person, we areplanning to reopen in a way that accounts for the fact that the COVID-19 viruswill more than likely still be with us with no vaccine available. Thehealth and safety of our students and staff is at the forefront of ourminds. If health restrictions are lifted by the appropriate authoritiesand we deem it safe, we will move into a regular, in-classroom mode.”

Based on state and local public health guidelines and input from parent surveys, the PUSD Reopening Task Force has developed a plan to reopen schools.

The plan addresses health and safety on campusesby requiring face coverings, for which the district is now designing protocolsand policies for exemptions and reinforcement. PUSD has purchases masks, faceshields, no-touch thermometers, hand sanitizer, and gloves, along with cleaningsupplies for enhanced disinfection of school sites and office buildings. Allcustodial staff have been trained according to CDC guidelines regarding thesanitation of facilities and the application of disinfectant to kill the coronavirus.

Social distancing will also be implementedinside and outside the classroom. Schools will only be allowed to have 50% ofthe student population on campus on any given day to allow for physicaldistancing and outdoor or other campus facilities will be used for learning.Students will be grouped and attend in-class and at home on alternating days.When possible, families will be grouped at all levels. Start times will bechanged and staggered.

According to the superintendent, the district isworking with community partners to provide and expand childcare services onnon-classroom days.

The district is also designing a completelyonline learning option in the core curriculum for K-12 students. Thisonline option will be different from the emergency remote learning model thatwas used in this spring and will focus on the core curriculum and offerincreased live interaction. Additional tech support has been added foreach school site.

PUSD is conducting a survey to determine the number of students who will attend the district’s virtual school. Parents have until July 9 to fill out the survey for each child in the family.

The plan may still be adjusted as state andlocal guidelines evolve, and as the district receives feedback from parents andthe Board of Education.

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