PUSD To Allow School Reopening Amidst Pandemic
Students and parents across Poway Unified School District have been concerned that virtual learning, which has kept their children at home for months, might cause more damage to their children’s mental health than satisfy their children’s educational needs. Parents believe that, if their children know how to take precautions, wash their hands, and wear a mask at all times at school, they should be allowed to return. Many kids are equally as eager to head back to school; they miss the face to face interaction with their friends and teachers.
Since late September, there has been good news for these parents and students. San Diego County has been in the red tier of the state reopening system with 6.8 daily infections per every 100,000 people. As a result, elementary schools in PUSD reopened in early October. Ten elementary schools reopened on Oct. 1, and the rest opened on Oct. 12. Families with children in elementary school can return to campus if they chose in person learning on the PUSD commitment form. Families who chose to do so will remain in virtual learning.
In addition, middle schools and high schools have implemented Phase 1 reopening. In middle schools, priority groups, students with disabilities, english learners, and other at-risk learners can go back to school.
For high schools, certain curricular groups, social emotional groups, student supports, extra-curriculars, co-curriculars and athletic programs can meet at specific times on school campuses. Mr. Krenz, a math teacher at Del Norte High School, has begun to allow small amounts of students to come back to the classroom under strict social distancing guidelines.
There are challenges posed by having a mix of students being on and off campus. Not all teachers hold virtual and in class learning at the same time. Some classes have reopened, but students are usually only able to attend one in-person class, as most of their teachers have not begun teaching in person. Most students are only attending one class in-person and spend the rest of their time on campus taking their other classes through Zoom. This discourages students from participating in in-class learning and has led to lower interest among students for on campus learning.
Individuals who come back to school are required to follow a variety of protocols. Unless excused by a doctor’s note, students and staff at all grade levels are required to wear a face covering. Before coming into the school, all students and staff will have their temperature taken. In classrooms, PUSD enforces social distancing and provides barriers when needed. They also plan to utilize outdoor spaces in order to lower the risks associated with in-person learning. Strict hand washing and sanitizing are mandatory. The schools and classrooms will be disinfected often. Students and staff who show symptoms of being ill will be isolated before they are required to leave campus.
Overall, PUSD is preparing for students’ return to campus to provide a safe and productive learning environment.