The Oakland Unified School District is preparing to reopen for in-person learning in less than a week.
We took a tour of what classrooms will look like when students return to Garfield Elementary School.
Walking into the school building, green and yellow signs advise students and staff to wear their masks at all times. Hand sanitizer is provided at the front door of each classroom. There’s a hand washing station and two air purifiers.
Each desk is spaced out six feet apart and cleaned throughout the day.
"We have more of a hospital-like cleaning procedure now," said Roland Broach, executive director of custodial services at the Oakland Unified School District. "That entails cleaning high-touch surfaces daily. It entails using electrostatic sprayers in restrooms, in classrooms, common areas."
Preschool through 2nd grade students will return to school next Tuesday, with all elementary and at least one middle or high school grade back in schools in April.
Some students will continue distance learning, said Oakland Unified School District Spokesperson John Sasaki.
"This is not school as everybody remembers it a year ago," he said. "It’s not going to be five days a week for students. It’s not going to be all day for students."
Safety upgrades are costing the district upwards of $5 million. Officials say they plan to have enough PPE to get them through at least the end of the school year.
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