Some local school districts are aiming for a March reopening date
At livestreamed board meetings this week, Middletown and LUSD boards discuss reopening safely
LAKE COUNTY >> Two local school district boards, Middletown Unified School District (MUSD) and Lakeport Unified School District (LUSD) met this week via zoom and discussed separately the logistics of how to re-open schools safely as a result of more favorable state metrics during the COVID-19 pandemic. LUSD officials discussed opening on March 8.
“Teachers are actively starting to collect data, perform assessments, and one of our big focus right now is trying to generate as much data and information as we can to provide our families and our students,” said Cobb Mountain Elementary School Principal Aram Osterlye. “It’s impor
tant because we’re in this distance learning model to make sure that our families and students are aware of exactly where they’re at.”
The principal noted that the school wants to make sure areas of growth that still need to be addressed, are communicated clearly. “We’re also taking some baby steps towards getting students back on site. It’s great to see the kids on campus.” According to Osterlye, the school has a really good system in place: “We’ve got our health screening temperature checks going on right there at the front, and students have been fantastic about wearing their masks, bringing all their resources here, and really getting to work.”
According to Middletown Unified Superintendent Michael Cox, the district has purchased masks, face shields, gloves, gowns, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, foot operated hand sanitizing stations, portable hand washing stations and air purifiers for every classroom. “We’re still looking at other things, like outdoor classrooms,” he suggested. Cox also reiterated that distance learning
will still be an option for those that choose it: “I’ve been able to reach out and talk to some families. They’re really impressed with the distance learning model, and they want to continue.”
Based on a recommendation from the neighboring districts and in collaboration with bargaining units, LUSD wishes to purchase 90 air filtration units
for the classrooms. District officials said these units utilize a triple layer filtration technology for excellent airborne particle removal. The filtration system is tested and certified by an independent third-party lab to filter 99.5% of harmful ultrafine pollution particles down to 0.003 microns in size.
“We intend to open school on March 8, a Monday, for our students. The
last of our staff that wanted their vaccines will receive them about seven days prior, and that gives us time if anyone has any reactions,” said Lakeport Unified School District Superintendent Jill Falconer.
Depression and motivation
Middletown High School Principal Airic Guerrero,
pointed to depression and motivation as the main issues brought up by the students — “The feeling of hopelessness. We’re in the process of working on social emotional cohorts. Once we get approval for that, we will go forward with it.” Guerrero said that will entail bringing students along in their cohorts, students having brunch and lunch together and safely distanced throughout campus. “We just need to get the OK from (Health Officer Gary) Pace on what tier we are actually able to do that. As soon as we hit that tier, we’re hoping to be able to mainly focus on the kids that are depressed and try to get them on campus, the best we can, and open it up to them.”
Guerrero said he believes that some type of interaction, even minimal, among students, is necessary. A big motivating factor that he expects is going to help is spring sports: “We’re planning on having a spring season. Cross country is rolling. They’ll hopefully be having their first meet I believe on the 26, maybe the week after that. Baseball, softball, tennis, golf track — all are ready to go. It’s just a matter of hitting that red tier. Hopefully, that will become a motivator, and also a reward for those kids to understand why they come to school and to give them some hope again.”
Clear Lake High School Principal Jennifer Scheel, added that games will be played once the county reaches the appropriate tier for that sport. “Right now, we’re in the purple tier, so we can have cross country competitions, golf and track,” she said.