Heights Schools To Continue Remote Learning Through Feb. 1

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — Amid sustained COVID-19 spread in Cuyahoga County, the Heights Schools have decided to remain remote through at least Feb. 1.

“We have followed the guidance of the Cuyahoga County Board of Health as it relates to when it is safe to return to school. They have indicated that there are other factors they consider when providing school guidance on reopening, including the number of active cases, community spread, and vaccine availability,” Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby said.

Ohio is planning to open COVID-19 vaccines to school teachers and staff soon. For staffers to be vaccine eligible, the district must agree to some form of in-person education in March. The Heights Schools are surveying staff to determine who would like to receive a vaccine.

Last week, Heights Schools officials said they will offer instruction in a hybrid model, a blend of in-person and remote education, starting on or before March. The district said it is waiting for guidance from the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.

The district's hybrid model would see all staff return to schools, while students would be phased into in-person learning. The phase-in would prioritize pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grade students first because those students have not yet attended school in their assigned buildings.

Small groups of students, like those with low-incidence disabilities, would return in accordance with Board of Health guidelines.

Families will have the option to keep their children in a remote-only education model. Online-only students will not have to enroll in the Ohio Online program, but they may not be able to keep their current teachers due to staffing needs, the district said.