by Camila Acosta, Sports Editor
On Thursday, Feb. 4, the Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) Board of Trustees reached a unanimous decision to pass motion 11.1 Reopening of School Sites in a roll call vote that will later be re-evaluated and voted on again in the next Board meeting on March 4th. It’s important to note that this is not a confirmation that classes will return, but rather a pushback of the timeline if COVID statistics within the county allow for in-person classes to resume.
The new plan entails all teachers and staff return Monday, March 8 for their full regular schedule. Spring break would remain the same with an added two non-student teacher preparation days from March 29-30. Students in 7th and 9th grade will begin blended/hybrid learning starting Wednesday, March 31 followed by all other students on Monday, April 5.
AUHSD currently resides in the purple tier, indicating that the virus is widespread in the county with more than seven cases per day per 100,000 residents and over an eight percent positivity rate. The county's current status has been the route of a lot of uncertainty due to the impossibility for schools to open in such conditions.
“Our public health metrics are currently worse than when the board decided not to move forward with in-person instruction,” Asta President Grant Schuster said.
The district's unanimous decision will only be able to go into effect if COVID cases are lower. Although nothing is set in stone, if cases subside the possible hybrid schedule could entail a 30% back to normal schedule. With the increasing presence of COVID-19 vaccines, the Board appears optimistic about the possibility of a return to campus near the end of the year but empathetic to the concerns of parents over their children's well being both mentally and academically.
“Please know that we are not doing this to harm you or your kids. We take this to heart” Board Trustee clerk Katherine Smith said.
Parents and teachers alike are growing more and more concerned with the mental-health aspect of the pandemic and the lack of on campus classes, but the focus remains on COVID-19 cases and precautions.
“It's imperative that we do it in a way in such a way that we are still sure it's safe to open,” Board of Trustees President Anna Piercy said.
Plans will be revisited March 4th in the upcoming board meeting and are subject to change or cancellation.
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