District looks ahead to the next school year
First day of instruction may move district into phase four, easing some restrictions
If all goes to plan, Woodland School Board trustees have ensured the community that campuses will look a lot more full in the fall for the start of the 202122 school year.
During a special board meeting Thursday night, board President Jake Whitaker brought forward a motion to bring back a resolution formally adopting Aug. 16, the first day of the 2021-22 school year, as the start date for phase four. This motion included a condition that the case rate and spread of COVID-19 are at a level where the California Department of Public Health and Yolo County allows trustees to take such action.
The vote passed unanimously. Phase four is defined by the district as in-person learning, with restrictions. While those restrictions include health protocols in place such as physical distancing to the furthest feasible extent, passive screening, and face cov
erings, there will not be a limit on the number of students allowed per classroom.
A year-long virtual academy will still be offered to students and families who still do not feel safe to return and opt-out of in-person instruction. The district will continue working on the academy and begin by searching for and identifying an administrative lead and staff and identify a planning committee.
Students are still set to return to campuses in an A/B group model for the start of phase three on Monday, April 12, the day after the district’s spring break. Phase three is defined by the district as full blended learning. A Group students will be in person on Mondays and Tuesdays while B Group students will be in person on Thursdays and Fridays. All students will be online on Wednesdays, while Group C students will remain in distance learning.
During the meeting, district staff led trustees through an update on the implementation and planning for phase three.
Students have already been divided into preliminary groups. If a student’s last name falls within the A-Ma range, they will be in Group A. Students with last names falling in between Mc-Z will be in Group B.
School sites are currently identifying their Group C students and then make any adjustments to both A and B groups. Finalized groups will be communicated on Friday, March 26.
Sites are currently identifying their Group C students and then make any adjustments to Groups A and B.
Principals will continue finalizing the class roster and adjustments to instructional schedules. The district has also begun reviewing transportation needs to create routes based on assigned groups.
Families will get communication regarding the registration status of Group A/B on Friday, March 26. Before that, on March 24, staff will receive health and safety protocols and guideline training March 24. All school staff will return to worksites on Monday, March 29.
Trustees will also pursue a motion directing district staff to begin negotiation for the merging of Special Day class Group’s A and B to have four days of in-person instruction.