KELSEYVILLE— While COVID-19 cases in Lake County continue to rise, teachers continue to work diligently to prepare for a robust distance learning experience for the students, according to school administrators.
Kelseyville Unified School District (KVUSD) hosted a virtual town hall meeting to share information about how they are planning to teach students this fall and moving forward into 2021. According to the institution, by being “in uncharted territory, we’re planning ahead as much as possible and remaining flexible as plans change.”
District officials stated they were working on helping students get the devices and internet access they need and on finding substitute teachers for the year ahead.
They said that in the weeks to come, the District staff will schedule appointments for each student to meet his or her teacher, either virtually or via a socially distanced, masked meeting. Officials added that they knew some people are worried about distance learning after what they deemed “a less-than-ideal experience last spring.” Administrators said they have learned a lot since then and noted that this year they have the tools and understanding to help teachers be more interactive and responsive to students’ needs.
For interactive distance learning, students need access to the internet with a device other than a cell phone. If a student cannot get connectivity (some areas do not have dependable internet access), there are other options, such as traditional independent study. “These are just really unprecedented times. And I just want you all to know that it is my goal to open up the schools,” said Kelseyville Unified School District Superintendent, Dave McQueen, during the Wednesday webinar.
“I want to get students back to school, but I want to do that safely. I went through a lot of soul searching on whether or not to start with distance learning or just start up. I need to guarantee that I can send your child back to our school with the proper protective equipment. We just need a little bit more time before we do that,” said McQueen, adding that students will not return to the classroom against the recommendations of Lake County public health officer, Dr. Gary Pace, and if the infection rate is on the rise.
During his weekly update to the Board of Supervisors this week, Pace cited an increase in cases in children which he said had risen statewide by 150 percent last month, a spike he said is “significant in terms of the discussion around the re opening of schools.”
“Our first priority is to keep everyone safe and, at this point, we’re not confident we can do that with in-person instruction. Therefore, all Kelseyville Schools will start the school year with distance learning”, district officials noted through a KVUSD communication. “As of July 22, cases are spiking. Until that changes, we plan to stay with distance learning.”
According to district and health department officials, schools in counties that are on the governor’s watchlist cannot return to in-person instruction until their county has been off the watchlist for 14 consecutive days. “We’re not on the watch list, but all the counties around us are. I’ve been in contact with Dr. Pace and other superintendents. We’re just going to be watching that. I’m really empathetic to everything that’s going on. We want to be there for you. We want to make it really robust. We want it to be a good experience,” said McQueen.
Currently, Lake County schools are using a phased approach to determine how and when to return to the classroom. “The first day of school (for Kelseyville Unified Schools) is September 8, so we’re still a few weeks away. Teachers will be engaging in live interaction with every student each school day. Class times and activities will be scheduled each school day. Students will have a schedule, similar to how they have a schedule at school. We’re trying to make this distance learning environment as much like a regular school day as we possibly can. Teachers are going to use Google Classroom and Google Meet for online learning. Every student in the district has a Google email address. And they will use that Google email to access their Google Classroom and the Google Meet”, added the Superintendent.
Kelseyville Unified School District Assistant Superintendent, Timothy Gill, presented a recap on the four phases of reopening:
Phase One – Full Distance Learning: lessons will be standard based, rigorous, and utilizing adopted textbooks; hotspots and Chromebooks are available to ensure connectivity.
Phase Two – Hybrid Model: students will report to school on a modified schedule to receive direct instruction and explanation of the assignments for the week; student groups will be staggered to reduce class size; and daily distance learning instruction will occur on the off site learning days.
Phase Three – Full Opening with Protocols: schools will reopen to all students five days a week for full instructional days; safety protocols will be in place, including masks, temperature checks, social distancing, disinfection, deep cleaning and other guidelines set by state and local officials.
Phase Four – Full Opening: returning to ‘normal’; added protocol for social distancing no longer required.
