The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Students to return to in person learning
Elyria City School District is implementing a new school week for its elementary students after spring break.
Elementary students will move to four-day a week in-person model schooling April 12.
Superintendent Ann Schloss announced the change in the district’s newsletter that went out the week of March 8.
When school resumes after spring break, grades K-4 will go in-person for four days and Wednesdays will be online.
“We’re encouraged by news from health officials at local, state and national levels that cases are lessening and conditions are improving,” Schloss said.
Students who are entirely virtual still can remain at home.
Schloss said it would be too difficult to switch from, either online to in-person, because teachers would have to be moved so late during the year.
A few classrooms will have furniture moved to create a safe learning space for the students, she said.
Amy Higgins, director of communication for Elyria Schools, said the district was focused on bringing back the youngest of the students to in-person learning.
“To this point, K-4 was the only grade level not receiving four days of teacher instruction,” Higgins said. “By bringing the in-person K-4 students back to school after spring break for a four-day week, they are receiving two additional instruction days per week. That’s critical.”
A transportation schedule has not been released.
Transportation for eligible bus riders will be available and bus routes communicated to eligible students, Higgins said.
The school district is looking forward to engaging with students next year during in-person classes, she said.
“We are working on plans for summer and for next year,” Higgins said. “We are encouraged by news on decreasing COVID cases from the local, state and federal health officials, and are expecting a full return in the fall (barring any unforeseen public health matters).”