Students to continue distance learning

Will allow in-person instruction for students with special needs

HAYWARD >> Most of Hayward’s 21,000 public school students will remain studying at home until the fall, despite other school districts looking at getting elementary school students back into classrooms within the next few weeks.

There’s an exception for some students in Hayward, however.

Students in special education or who are considered housing insecure can start some in-person learning Monday if Alameda County meets state guidelines for infection rates.

Instruction for those students, which will be in a hybrid model — or a mix of classroom and distance learning — will take place at Fairview Elementary School and at Southgate

Elementary School.

Parents of students eligible for the hybrid model have the option of opting out and continuing with distance learning, according to the district.

Under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed “Safe Schools for All” plan announced Dec. 30 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, districts can reopen their campuses to students if their county’s adjusted case rate drops below 25 cases per 100,000 residents for five consecutive days.

On Tuesday, Alameda County’s adjusted rate was 18.1, according to state health authorities.

In December, Hayward Unified School District decided it would stay in distance learning for the remainder of the school year after gathering input from parents.

“We found that more than half of families indicated plans to remain in distance learning even if HUSD met all health and safety guidelines for reopening school campuses,” district spokeswoman Dionicia Ramos said in an email.

But Hayward officials tweaked the district’s approach as state authorities changed reopening criteria for businesses and schools amid the shifting numbers of infection rates.

“Our modified plan also includes the launching of small cohort programs, which will offer in-person learning opportunities at certain school sites and for a select number of students,” Ramos said. “Students in special education programs and those that are housing insecure are among the student groups being prioritized for these opportunities.”

There are approximately 2,566 special education students in the district, according to the California Department of Education.

Just how many kids enrolled in the district are housing insecure, which can include those temporarily sharing housing with others because of economic hardship or who may be living in motels or shelters, was not available.

But the 2019 Alameda County EveryOne Home Point-in-Time Count, which is carried out every two years at the end of January tog aug et he numbers of local homeless, found 38 children under age 18, and 59 families with at least one child younger than 18, were experiencing homelessness in Hayward. All were sheltered.

“What this (special cohort) program adds is inperson support and enrichment activities for students that need more help during distance learning,” Ramos said.

Each classroom would be allowed to have no more than 16 people, including teachers or other staff, under current state health safety guidelines, she said.

Superintendent Matt Wayne noted last week that educators were among those now eligible for vaccinations under the state’s “Phase 1B Tier 1” criteria, which includes people 65 and older, workers in food and agriculture, and those in emergency services.

While allowing teachers and school administrators to get vaccinated is considered a key step toward schools reopening, Wayne sounded a note of caution.

“We have been continually reminded that it could take months to get to Tier 1B,” he told trustees during a school board meeting. “So we just have to be patient. But we are working hard to get our educators vaccinated.”

His comments came after Gov. Gavin Newsom’s announced Feb. 3 that the state would partner with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to launch a mega vaccination site at the Oakland Coliseum — a place where local educators can get vaccinated. It opened Tuesday.

“This additional resource and infusion of vaccine is much needed in our community and will help us to reach more people more quickly,” Colleen Chawla, director of the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency, said in a statement. “We look forward to working with the site team to support outreach, education and access for our highest risk communities.”

Ramos confirmed that most Hayward students will remain in distance learning for the remainder of the school year.

But she also said the effort at the two local elementary schools could change amid the pandemic.

“We plan to expand that (special needs) program to other school sites for families seeking this type of support,” Ramos said, adding that the expansion would hinge on demand and the district’s resources.