By Philip Haldiman
Twitter: @PhilipHaldiman

Peoria Unified School District administration has announced an official plan on how teaching will occur during the upcoming school year, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

There will be two choices — the district will provide either in-person instruction or full-time virtual instruction for those who do not want their children attending school due to the pandemic.

For more information visit https://www.peoriaunified.org/ReturnToSchool.

Superintendent Jason Reynolds said families will have the choice of either an in-person learning environment that prioritizes optimal safety measures five-days a week, or full-time virtual instruction through the district’s eCampus Virtual School, using the nationally recognized Florida Virtual platform.

A recent executive order from Gov. Doug Ducey declared the first day of physical schooling would be moved back to at least Aug. 17.

Mr. Reynolds said PUSD will begin the school year Aug. 5 with virtual instruction, which is consistent with the current school calendar, and then begin the physical first day of classes Aug. 17.

This will allow the district to keep the current calendar in place and at the same time better prepare the entire community to be at its very best, he said.

“We believe the opportunity to start all our teachers and students in an online format will allow us to prepare for what could potentially be an extended online time frame. So by the first day of school, we will have trained our teachers to be able to move in and out of the online experience so we are prepared to successfully navigate a variety of health scenarios,” Mr. Reynolds said.

“With an opportunity to use Aug. 5-14 to bring students back, introduce them to the new school year, we would use the time to re-acquaint our young people with school and their social emotional needs, while at the same time work to build their skills so they can be successful in that online experience.”

In person instruction

In person schooling will include physical distancing when possible, access to hand washing or hand sanitizing stations at all school sites and additional disinfection of high touch point areas on campus.

Maricopa County and the cities of Glendale and Peoria currently require that all residents wear masks or facial coverings. While a survey conducted by the district found most parents were opposed to face masks, students will be required to follow mandates regarding masks, and those who do not comply will be assigned to an online learning program. Students with respiratory issues may have alternate measures of protection.

Shawn Duguid, chief operations safety and risk management officer, said that as the first day of school approaches, the district expects to have additional communication on any official requirements for facial coverings or masks.

The following is a list of classroom stipulations to be followed for in-person instruction:

•Where possible, desks will be faced in the same direction, rather than facing each other, or students will sit on only one side of tables, spaced apart, in assigned seats.

•Where possible, physical distancing will be maintained in open or common areas, such as hallways, stairwells, gyms and playgrounds.

•Students will use their own school supplies and keep their belongings separate or in their backpack throughout the day.

•Students are encouraged to bring a bottle to school that can be refilled at water filling stations on campus, since outside drinking fountains will be inactive.

•To limit exposure to other students and staff, recess will be separated by classes and grade level cohorts. •Where possible, adjustments to drop-off and pick-up routines will be made to facilitate physical distancing. •Signage will be posted in all rooms and common areas explaining hygiene practices to prevent spread. •Physical education classes may focus on personal fitness instead of high-contact exercises and will take place outside, when weather permits.

•Middle and high school courses that involve significant interpersonal contact, such as labs,will be held in classroom locations that provide the greatest opportunity to physically distance.

•Special education, gifted and English language services will resume under the close direction of our educators and individual IEP Team.

•The method of homebound instruction will be determined based on the individual needs of the family and children.

Online instruction

Those who want online instruction must fill out paper work to do so and meet with a guidance counselor to ensure enrollment in the correct courses, delivered through Florida Virtual, an online content and instruction platform. Students will have 160 courses to choose from.

Registration is available through July 17, but if families want to change as school gets closer they may elect to do so.

Some things to consider for full-time online virtual instruction in for children: students must have access to the internet. A laptop can be provide by the district. Teachers will be in contact with online learners on a regular basis and will also have office hours for student to receive additional support if they are struggling. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to have discussions with their peers in the courses.

Marla Hobbs, executive director of curriculum and instruction, said youngest learners, such as 3rd or 4th grade, may need parent assistance to navigate the information and/or for technical support.

Families selecting this model are asked to remain virtual for the duration of the school semester and students should be self-motivated to ensure they spend the time necessary to be successful, Ms. Hobbs said.

For the virtual option, kindergartners require three hours of instruction; 1st-3rd graders require four hours;

4th-6th graders require five hours; 7th-8th graders require six hours; and high schoolers require 7.5 hours.

Teachers will receive ongoing professional training, using multiple applications such as Teams and Flip Grid.

“Our students who are doing full online instruction will still have access to our great PUSD teaching staff and courses will be taught by our very own teachers,” she said.

The district will continue to gather feedback as the first day of school draws closer, as the situation continues to be fluid.

Mr. Reynolds said being adaptable for whatever situation is one of the most important things the district must continue to do.

“One of the task force’s main goals is to make sure our staff and students and our families are prepared to adapt and move in and out of potentially online and face-to-face if need be. And in order to do that, we will most definitely need to keep our task force together, meeting regularly, monitoring our situation if not monthly, then weekly, and probably daily as we face this significant challenge,” he said.

Philip Haldiman can be reached at 623-876-3697, phaldiman@newszap.com, or on Twitter @philiphaldiman.

Philip Haldiman
News Editor | Peoria
@PhilipHaldiman

phaldiman@iniusa.org

Philip Haldiman is a third generation Arizona native with brief residencies on the east and west coasts. He has bachelor’s degrees in Theater and Journalism at Arizona State University, and is an award winning journalist with more than 15 years worth of experience in reporting and editing. Most recently, he took first place for investigative reporting and third place for best sustained coverage or series at the 2023 Arizona Newspapers Association awards. In his free time, he produces an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.