Washington Schools Plan To Return To Classrooms This Fall

WASHINGTON — Schools across Washington will prepare to reopen classrooms to students for the 2020-21 school year. But, schools will also have to take new precautions to keep the coronavirus in check, and develop a backup plan in case of emergencies.

Washington State Superintendent Chris Reykdal announced the move at a press conference Thursday.

"The framework we're disclosing today and sharing with you today is a presumption that are coming back, and every school district needs to prepare for a fall opening that is face-to-face," said Reykdal.

The superintendent's plan was created with the help of a 120-plus-person task force of parents, students, health professionals, teachers and more, and has the support of the Governor's Office, the Department of Health, and Labor and Industries.

Reykdal says he's confident schools can reopen safely, if they follow several new safety rules.

"Probably the most clear will be face masks, face shields, face coverings will be required for everybody as a part of this," said Reykdal.

Plans will need to be made to accommodate students who can not safely wear masks. Students and staff will be screened for virus symptoms at school entrances and extra hygiene will be strongly encouraged. Schools will also need to find ways to spread students and teachers apart, increasing physical distance between students to help prevent coronavirus transmissions.

"The science is very clear that this is a virus and a disease of droplets, and everything we can do to remove the risk of those droplets leaving our space and connecting with our peers or being on surfaces puts us at greater risk," said Reykdal.

Districts are being told to plan for a full, regular school year of 180 days and 1,027 instructional hours. They'll also need to prepare a backup plan, in case their schools aren't ready to safely open on time or a new outbreak requires a school to shut down or shift schedules.

"For some communities, the health guidelines may not be able to be met, perhaps the social distancing can't be met given a particular way a school is configured, or maybe we start in the fall and ultimately a local health authority has to shut a school down again due to significant outbreak," said Reykdal.

The state has proposed several models that schools could adapt in these situations, including split or rotating schedules that would limit the number of students inside a school at one time. Some may have to try a phased-in opening and in extreme cases, classes could go remote again if necessary.

Officials say the return to in-person instruction may be scary with the pandemic still looming, but one that is necessary for quality learning. One reason face-to-face classes is a priority, Reykdal says, is that is more equitable to students who cannot regularly access remote learning.

"That has been a disproportionate experience for families and students, and the very best thing we can do is get back to our schools," said Reykdal.

Reykdal also took time Thursday to thank educators for continuing to endure the challenges posed by the coronavirus.

"While I'm here, let me just say clearly a huge thank you to our teachers and all of our building staff around the state who put their best foot forward through this effort," said Reykdal. "This was heroic and nearly impossible."