Interim Superintendent Kristopher Schuh announced the District’s two-phase plan to return to 100% in-person learning for grades 6-12. This will replace the Hybrid learning option but will not affect students who have chosen to continue remote learning.

The move to 100% in-person learning does not mean many of the in-school COVID-19 safety measures that have been in place for hybrid learning will go away though.

Phase one of the plan will begin March 15, with some students returning to 100% in-person learning — which means students will be in school Monday through Thursday. Fridays will continue to be at-home asynchronous days through the end of the year.

According to the District’s written statement, “priority in phase one will be based on student needs, as determined by each school’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process, individual education plans, and the need for special services. Schools will be reaching out to students and families based on the above priority to implement their in-person learning schedules.”

Phase two of the plan will kick in on April 5, when the Hybrid option ends. At that time, students currently scheduled in the Hybrid model will return to 100% (Monday through Thursday) in-person learning.

Charter students should check with their individual schools about their plans for in-person learning.

The announcement of the plan coincides with, and was influenced by, Jefferson County moving down to Level Blue on the state’s COVID dial on Feb. 26. According to Jefferson County Public Health, the move to Level Blue occurred due to the county’s one-week incidence and test positivity rates falling to, and remaining in, Level Blue metrics for a full week. 

The District also cites the ability for all teachers and staff to be fully vaccinated before the end of March, JCPH guidance and community feedback in the decision-making process. Masks and social distancing will still be in effect throughout the school year.

Moving into the 2021-2022 school year, the District will continue to offer a remote learning option for all grades, for students uncomfortable with returning to in-person school.

In a recent Board of Education meeting, Schuh said he’s confident the District can deal with COVID flare-ups if they occur. 

“We are able to respond with short notice when we do have a situation where we have multiple positive cases or outbreaks,” he said. “We can have the school move into a remote model for 24 hours and get into that school and clean that school rather quickly.”