When school resumes on Aug. 17, West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) students will continue distance learning, with only some high-needs students allowed to learn on campuses, according to a draft plan released Thursday by the district.
As the COVID-19 situation improves, students will be brought onto campuses with a phased in approach. For example, in the second phase of the draft plan, school buildings could be used as Student Support Hubs where small groups of students would engage in distance learning with support from instructional aides, credentialed child care staff, before/after school workers or credentialed teachers.
After that, the goal would be to expand in the direction of moving to a full in-school model, as conditions allow, the district said.
A draft framework of the phased-in approach can be accessed here. More details will be shared at a virtual town hall set for today, July 10, at 5:30 p.m., the district said. Members of the community can participate by logging into Zoom here or by calling (669) 900-6833 using Meeting ID 941 3769 2306.
Currently, a 32-member taskforce of students, teachers, families, school administrators, and district staff is working to meet a July 20 deadline to submit a plan for the 2020-2021 school year to the Contra Costa County Office of Education.
“Many students need to be at school for a variety of reasons: more engaging educational opportunities, socio-emotional support, access to meals and health care,” Superintendent Matthew Duffy said. “However, with the rising number of COVID-19 cases in California since the easing of restrictions, it is clear that asymptomatic transmission in close quarters is a key concern. In all good conscience, the safety of students and staff must be our top priority.”
