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(Oct. 9, 2020, 3:25 p.m.) -- In a statement at mid afternoon Friday (Oct. 9), LBUSD's management announced that if LA County eventually moves into a less restrictive (or red) COVID-19 tier and remains there for 14 days [which hasn't happened yet], LBUSD will "work toward gradually reopening schools in a cautious, phased-in manner (including using "hybrid" school schedules previously detailed in its School Opening and Safety Plan.)
LBUSD's statement notes that although earlier the City of LB recently issued new guidelines for schools that wish to seek waives letting them potentially reopen for transitional kindergarten through grade 2, this "does not mean that such waivers are immediately possible here" as the latest guidance requires:
"While LBUSD believes that it can meet many of those requirements, including the safety requirements, because the support of the school district's labor partners is one of the key criteria, the school district remains engaged in ongoing communication with the Teachers Association of Long Beach and the local chapter of the California School Employees Association to determine when, and to what extent, local schools might pursue this option if it is safe to do so," LBUSD management stated. [Scroll down for further.] |
In announcing its plans, LBUSD management acknowledged that "Despite small class sizes and stringent safety protocols in place at these sites, the school district has experienced a weekly need to temporarily re-close some of these classrooms and ask that small groups of students, and some staff members, remain quarantined at home for 14 days because of potential exposure to COVID-19. Given these experiences, the school district is proceeding cautiously..."
Earlier today (Oct; 9), LBUSD's public information office informed LBREPORT.com that it sent a notification late last week to parents/guardians of some students at the Willard Child Development Center. That location now joins five other LBUSD sites where some parents received similar notifications (previous LBREPORT.com coverage here.)
Regarding students with disabilities, LBUSD management says it is "beginning to pilot one-on-one, in-person assessments at its Preschool Assessment Center only." After "successful completion of preschool assessments, LBUSD will continue with a phase-in of in-person assessments of elementary, middle, high school and ACT (Adult Community Transition) populations based on "updated state and county guidance regarding in-person assessment, targeted support services, and facilitation of distance learning in small group environments for students with disabilities and other specified groups of chi
LBUSD said that as each group is phased in, the district "will continue working closely with local public health officials and labor unions to ensure adherence to safety protocols for the protection of all assessors and students. These safety measures include the appropriate safety training, personal protective equipment and strict testing protocols." LBUSD said it will send more information to parents as the district continues planning for the return of small groups of specific students. "As LBUSD moves forward, please be assured that the health, safety and well being of students and staff will remain top priorities." LBUSD's full statement follows below. [LBUSD statement] As previously announced, the Long Beach Unified School District plans to continue offering most of its instruction and related services online through the fall semester, which ends Jan. 28. Meanwhile LBUSD continues to work with regional and local health agencies as well as state and county education agencies to guide incremental phasing in of limited, in-person services, with an initial emphasis on serving students who have disabilities. Contact us: mail@LBReport.com |
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