New recommendations from the Benton Franklin Health District could mean students are back in class for hybrid in-person learning starting in October.
Doctor Amy Person from the health district sent out a letter saying both counties have seen disease activity decrease over the last two months and advancing to a hybrid learning model isn't expected to pose a greater risk to staff and students. Action News reached out to parents to see how they're feeling about the new recommendation and the reaction was mixed.
RELATED: Health district says in-person learning could start as soon as October
"At home learning is just not working. I have a special needs child and he's not learning anything and I have a first grader who is also just struggling trying to learn how to use a computer," explained Kathaleen Melville.
Another parent reached out to Action News to share her thoughts, but wanted to remain anonymous. "I understand why parents wanting to get their kids back in school, that is what my daughter wants. She wants to be back at school with her friends and she thrives in that atmosphere but I have other kids that are high risk and moderately high risk and i'm worried about what my older child could bring home to my extremely high risk sons," said a parent.
Benton and Franklin counties school districts could start hybrid learning as early as October 1st. Pasco School District and all other schools and school districts in Franklin county should plan for in-person hybrid learning as early as October 15th.
Statement from ESP:
“As each district determines when it is time to return to school, Education Support Professionals must be involved and considered in every decision that is made. PSE’s priorities include: returning to work only when it is safe, maintaining staffing levels across all public school operations (from instruction to cleaning/sanitizing and providing meals), preserving access to essential student services, and utilizing paraeducators to fill the need for opportunity gap students. In addition, adequate PPE must be available to all staff when hybrid learning begins. Safety for students and staff comes first.”
Statement from Pasco School District:
We are encouraged by the Benton Franklin Health District’s recommendation on Monday to begin planning for implementation of our blended learning model as early as October 15. District administrators and staff members have been planning along a continuum of instructional delivery options since July, which include our current at home learning program, a blended learning model that incorporates at home learning and face to face instruction, and traditional face to face learning. We are already working on the details involved with preparing for the transition to a blended learning model. The Pasco School District Board of Directors will discuss how the updated recommendations from Benton Franklin Health District will impact planning and the transition to blended learning at their next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, September 22 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held via Zoom and will be livestreamed on the district’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/PascoSchools).
Statement from Richland School District:
“The recently released preliminary data on COVID-19 cases from Benton-Franklin Health District is a positive development. We are happy to hear that public health measures such as cloth face masks and physical distancing have helped protect our communities. District and school staff are already in the midst of preparing to bring our students receiving special education services back for some in-person learning. We are approaching this effort thoughtfully and carefully so students can receive the services they need while keeping everyone safe while they learn and work in our schools. District leaders will be sharing our progress with the Richland School Board at its next regular meeting on Sept. 22. We look forward to board members’ direction on how to move our schools forward."
Statement from Kennewick School District:
In July, the Kennewick School District Board of Directors determined that in mid-September they would review community health data, together with any updated guidance from Benton-Franklin Health District, to develop a plan to transition from remote learning to hybrid learning. The board’s next meeting is on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 5:30 p.m. This meeting will be held remotely, per the governor’s directive. Members of the public may access the remote meeting. Access information is posted under Announcements at www.ksd.org.