Two district dependent charter schools are slated to open on August 3rd. We asked about district plans for those reopenings. After some very confusing talk, district said: 1. Move start date to Sept 3 (w/ all other schools)...buy time OR 2. Open with full distance learning.

+ district indicated they would lean to 2nd option, but clear they were just spitballing as they had nothing in writing and NO discussions with parents, community +

Our team decided then to focus discussion on COVID safety matters...masks, cleaning etc. So we proceeded by going through CA Dept of Ed reopening checklist with district team. Honest discussion, but very disconcerting too +

Regarding facemasks: district said they are not prepared to say that students or teachers would be required to wear masks. We had a somewhat long discussion parsing the words guidance vs directive. As of now, no district sense they can REQUIRE facemasks +

Regarding physical distancing, district team said they are fully committed to following 6 feet protocols, but also acknowledged that there is very little ability to do this in so many classrooms...we talked HS for example, where that may mean 9-12 in classroom at one time +

Comprehensive HS classes typically run at 30-35 students. Operating with 6 ft. distancing would necessitate some hybrid model of in person teaching that would reduce maybe by 2/3 total kids on campus at a time. Logistical nightmare +

*** Thread pause, sorry....need to run. Back in a couple hours to finish. Talk amongst yourselves...eager to read any thoughts. Needs big discussion. We might as well start here***

I'm back. Picking up on hybrid models...we spitballed on this too (with district staff and among ourselves): Everything from models that group kids into 2 days in/2 days at home/1 day all home to staggered starts for elementary kids +

To high schools with 9th and 10th graders plus English Language Learners and students with special education needs on campus...others off. Important to note all of these ideas were just that...ideas +

And overlaying all of this idea talk were a few very important points: 1. Expectation that if schools do start with kids in classrooms, they must be prepared for at a moment's notice rolling stops/stay-at-home orders throughout year if & when students or adults test positive +

2. Concern that as many as 40% of teachers have health issues themselves or those they care for at home with health issues that place them at high risk for COVID +