LBUSD will begin instruction Sept. 1 exclusively online and will remain exclusively online through at least Oct. 5. After that, a decision on when it can resume classroom instruction depends decisions of health officials and COVID19 data..

LBUSD spokesman Chris Eftychiou says the parents indicated their choices in response to Instructional Program Choices provided to families Aug. 14 in LBUSD's School Opening and Safety Plan available online here.

• For elementary (grades 1 to 5), 58% chose some form of in-person instruction (including 32% who selected the full-day in-person option) while 26% selected the hybrid (in person plus online option.) 42% percent chose the all-online option.

• For Kindergarten (with parents offered a half day of instruction, 58% preferred it in-person while 42% chose online.

• For middle school, 58% chose the hybrid (in-person plus online) option, while 36% chose the all-online option, and 6 percent chose guided independent study.

  For high school, 67% chose the hybrid (in-person plus online) option, while 33 percent chose the all-at-home/independent study option.

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In mid-August, LBUSD closed its pre-K "Educare Los Angeles at Long Beach" facility (at Barton Elementary School) for two weeks after someone at the facility tested positive for COVID-19

Also in mid-August, LBUSD management confirmed information circulating on social media indicating that two employees [details not released] at Millikan High and one at Poly High had tested positive for COVID-19. (Some teachers and staff were on campus early to set up classrooms and handle other pre-school items.)

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Without dissent from LB's policy setting School Board, LBUSD management and LB's Teachers Union negotiated an MOU mainly allowing teachers the flexibility to teach students from home (without coming to campus). However the MOU didn't provide that flexibility for teachers and other staff handling pre-K and special education students. Details for these teachers, staff and their students and parents are currently unclear.

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LA County;s COVID-19 rate recently dipped to just below 200 cases per 100,000 residents, allowing LA County to request a "waiver" letting some K-6 classes to reopen. Roughly three weeks ago, LA County health officials indicated they would not seek such a waiver.

To be removed from Sacramento's COVID-19 "watch list" (with its accompanying restrictions), LA County would have to fall below 100 cases per 100,000 residents and LA County;s number is currently nearly twice that.

In Orange County, where COVID19 rates have been lower than L.A. County (and Sacramento recently removed OC from the state's "watch list"), VoiceofOC.org says "Orange County schools could be allowed to reopen mid September if the county can stay off the state’s corona virus watchlist until then, while local school officials have the final word on those decisions."

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