Tri-Cities schools look to reopen soon with ‘hybrid’ learning. What that means

Megan Burford is one of dozens of parents who aren’t excited about Richland schools potentially opening next month.

The mother of three has a middle-school daughter whose immune system is compromised. She is worried schools aren’t prepared enough to safely bring back some students.

“I want my kids in school, but I don’t think it’s safe,” she told the Herald. “I think it will depend on each teacher and how serious each class takes the safety procedures, and if they will be enforced.”

Burford was part of lukewarm reaction on Facebook to news that Richland’s school board will meet next Tuesday to talk about a partial reopening of in-person classes in October.

Some were grateful that kids potentially would get to return to class part-time starting in October. Others pointed out if the school board is having its meeting virtually on Zoom, then why should they feel comfortable sending their children into schools.

In Kennewick, commenters seemed happier about the news. The Kennewick School Board will talk about the issue at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, at an online board meeting

“We are celebrating,” one parent said on Facebook. “Our mental health is important, and our kids are so excited to attend school in person. They are learning almost nothing at home. It’s all technical issues. This will be so much better for their mental, emotional, social, education, and physical health.

The reaction comes after the Benton-Franklin Health District’s Health Officer Dr. Amy Person recommended that Benton County schools could move to a “hybrid” model starting Oct. 1.

Preliminary data shows the rate of COVID infection is close to dropping below 75 cases per 100,000 people over a 14-day period. That’s the number the state Department of Health recommended to start bringing students back.

Benton County was down to 117 cases per 100,000 in the two weeks ending Sept. 4

While Franklin County is also improving, Dr. Person said the rate is still above Benton County’s. She is recommending that they be ready to have students back starting Oct. 15.

Pasco’s board will discuss the district’s plan next Tuesday during an online board meeting.

Hybrid model

While students may be heading back to class, the change comes with several requirements. Students will need to have masks or face shields, sit six-feet apart and have daily health assessments. There will be an emphasis for students to wash their hands.

The space requirement had schools design plans that will bring back students for part of the week. Those plans were put on hold when they decided to start online in September.

Hybrid teaching models divide students into two groups — one would be in class, while the other would be learning at home.

That allows students to stay farther apart in classes, in hallways and on playgrounds.

Richland has not formalized those plans, but in Kennewick one group will be in class Monday and Tuesday, and the other group will be in class on Thursday and Friday. All the students will be learning at home on Wednesdays.

While details about when students would be in class were on hold, the districts already had plans in place for how to keep kids safe when they return.

“The district created work groups in the spring that have been preparing for the return to in-person instruction by developing health and safety, operations and instruction protocols,” said Robyn Chastain, the district’s executive director of communications and public relations.

Before the smoke caused hazardous air conditions, Kennewick already had about 310 special needs attending in-person classes and Richland planned to bring students back on Wednesday.

Richland’s plan for the returning of other students is available on its website. The plan includes input from town hall sessions and a committee of more than 350, including teachers, counselors, custodians, maintenance workers and nurses.

The health department announcement is a positive development, said a district statement sent by Ty Beaver, the district’s communications manager.

“We are happy to hear that public health measures such as cloth face masks and physical distancing have helped protect our communities,” he said.

“District and school staff are already in the midst of preparing to bring our students receiving special education services back for some in-person learning. We are approaching this effort thoughtfully and carefully so students can receive the services they need while keeping everyone safe while they learn and work in our schools.”

Pasco also has been preparing for restarting classes. They have more than 80,000 face masks, 30,000 packages of disinfecting wipes and 3,000 face shields sent out to buildings, said Shane Edinger, the district’s director of public affairs.

They’ve also put up plastic barriers in high traffic areas and marked out where people should stand so they can socially distance.

Pasco also has put plans in place in case students or employees get sick.

“We are already working on the details involved with preparing for the transition to a blended learning model,” according to a district statement.

This story was originally published September 16, 2020 at 11:14 AM.