The Guilford County Board of Education is reviewing a reentry plan that would bring back some of the district's youngest students for in-person classes before October 20. Superintendent Sharon Contreras laid out her recommendations to board members this week.
Under this proposal, prior to Oct. 20, pre-K and kindergarten students would attend half days voluntarily. After that, depending on certain health indicators, pre-K through second grade would attend Monday through Friday.
“Our pre-K and kindergarten students are those who will experience the greatest amount of learning loss during remote learning, and for our families, it is the most difficult groups to find childcare for,” says Whitney Oakley, chief academic officer with Guilford County Schools.
Sixth graders would attend in-person classes in cohorts two days a week. Other grades would be phased in, but most high school students would remain in remote learning through mid-January.
Contreras says the plan would also bring back students with special needs and other vulnerable groups sooner.
“We have 1,370 students [incoming freshman] that are at high or very high risk. They have four or more risk factors, but this would include bringing back those 1,370 ninth graders.”
District officials say the gradual reentry process will address capacity and staffing needs and help students adjust to social distancing and other safety measures.
The Guilford County School Board is expected to vote on the proposal on September 24.
The board will also consider a measure that defines what health criteria the district should follow when deciding to reopen buildings or not.
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