Kenai Peninsula Schools will be open to in-school learning for students a week earlier than the school district’s initial plans. The target date was January 18. The return date confirmed by the district on Tuesday is now next Monday, January 11.
Students in Kindergarten through 6th Grade will attend every day, in a normal fashion, while students from 7th through 12th Grades will function on an A-B schedule, attending two days a week on-site. Schools will be in-contact with parents to coordinate information, ensuring each student is prepared to return on-time, ready to learn in the classroom.
Pegge Erkeneff of KPBSD has details about the decision and what it means for students, parents, and teachers on the Kenai: “We’re so excited that more students will be able to be at school on-site. I know the teachers are really excited, too! Each of our schools will be sending out their own communications, so that their students will be able to learn exactly what they need to do at their school, but everybody does need to remember: you do need to wear a mask. That includes on buses. Assigned seating will be happening will be happening on busses, as students first ride and we figure out where they’re sitting and space. So, there will be some extra spacing measures to keep everybody healthy at school.”
She added: “Get a good night’s sleep on Sunday night! Get used to waking up in the morning, getting to school at a certain time. So, pre-K through 6th graders, you’re starting school every day, Monday through Friday, next Monday. Our 7th through 12th graders will go on a split schedule until we drop down into more of a medium risk, and then they’ll come every day.”
She also confirmed that bus routes will not be changing.
Is the kiddo in your household not terribly excited about having to wake up early and get ready for school every day? Ms. Erkeneff’s advice is to treat this like a restart to a brand new year, to encourage their excitement.
Superintendent John O’Brien announced last week that each school will be instituting their own spacing measures to ensure the safety of staff and students. Schools began instructing students virtually on Monday, so teachers and school administrators are all available to field questions.