RUSD School Reentry Team 'Working Diligently' As COVID-19 Evolves

RACINE COUNTY, WI — The Racine Unified School District says a team tasked with guiding how school will look in the fall is working as diligently as they can to date, but that it's too soon to speculate which of three main options will be the one that's adopted.

Students will go back to school in September in one of three ways, Racine Unified School District officials said earlier this summer. According to the district's re-entry plans, the district is considering returning to face-to-face learning, going back to full remote learning, or a combination of the two.

District officials say they've collected survey responses, will be hosting feedback and listening sessions and working on refining their reentry plan.

District officials want a plan in place by July 17, but RUSD officials told Patch this week that the date is a target and may be flexible, based on the evolving situation.

100 Percent Face-to-Face Learning

Under this plan, all students will be in school full-time abiding by safety and sanitation guidelines.

"There is no question, this is our greatest hope and dream for Fall 2020 – to have all of our students back with us every day," district officials said. "We MISS our kids! Face-to-face learning in an environment where we see every student every day is critical for optimal learning. We would utilize traditional systems and procedures. One change we will make is to use a blended learning instructional model so that all our students are equipped with the necessary technology skills to be college and career ready."

Hybrid Learning

There will be limited students in school abiding by safety and sanitation guidelines under this plan.

"Depending on social distancing guidance, there may be the need for a hybrid model where students rotate through face-to-face opportunities and remote learning environments. This is by far the hardest scenario to plan for," district officials said. "With campuses and classrooms that are at or over capacity, this is causing us to consider a multitude of rotational schedules"

Remote Learning

Schools remained closed and remote learning continues, under this plan.

"Similar to how we instructed students from mid-March until the end of the school year, remote learning is still an option. In the case of intermittent school closure or for a hybrid model, our remote learning framework needs to be up to the challenge of engaging ALL of our students in new learning material," according to district officials. "Even with the best remote learning platforms and households with tremendous support, our students are still at risk for falling behind in a remote setting."