President Joe Biden has made reopening
schools a top priority, but administrators say
there is much to consider as new strains of the
coronavirus appear and teachers wait their turn
for vaccinations.
And while many parents are demanding that
schools fully reopen, others say they won’t feel
safe sending children back to classrooms until
vaccines are available to even young students.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top public
health expert, said late last month the Biden
administration hopes to begin vaccinating
children by late spring or early summer.
By then, districts will be deep into preparations
for the next school year.
“As far as 2021-22, at least some part of that
school year is likely still going to be pandemic
response-related on the assumption that
children won’t have access to the vaccine, or at
least many won’t,” said Superintendent Brian
Woods, of Northside Independent School
District, among the largest districts in Texas.
That could mean a more teacher-friendly
version of the mix of in-person and remote
learning happening now, one that doesn’t
require teachers to simultaneously instruct
two groups. That could be accomplished either
by splitting staffing or rearranging schedules,
he said, adding longer term may see an all-
remote option for students who have moved on
permanently from traditional school.
“There’s going to be some element of the genie
not being able to be put back in the bottle,”
Woods said. “I think that there now will always be
a group of families who want a virtual option... We
know we’re able to, but are we willing to do it?”