Fall River School Superintendent Matthew Malone last night provided the school committee with a draft plan on how he envisions schools re-opening this fall in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Superintendent Malone said the district needs to file a re-opening plan with the state that provides for three learning scenarios; fully re-opening in-person, fully teaching students remotely, and a hybrid model of in-person and remote learning. He said devising the plan has been a challenge and will not be finalized until August.
The draft plan is based on the social distancing of students at three feet and at six feet lengths. Superintendent Malone said even with the closer distance of three feet, the layout of city schools will not allow for 100% in-person learning. That reality, combined with increased costs for busing, sanitizing, and making safety improvements in schools, means the best option, for now, is a hybrid learning model.
All students and staff who attend in person will be required to wear masks as much as possible. PPE will be made available to all. Breakfast will be served to students in their classrooms while lunch will be provided in the cafeteria.
Video courtesy Fall River Educational Television.
I I am in in favor of the hybrid plan
The schools called families for their input. Any hint that the children may not be able to wear their make for 6-8 hours straight and the person on the phone very snippy says, ok so your child should be home schooled. How about some sympathy for working parents who are stressed about what the future holds?