Gov. Gavin Newsom is encouraging school districts to think outside the box when it comes to bringing students back to campus.
“We can do this safely, we know that,” said Newsom after a tour of Sheppard Elementary in Santa Rosa, which is made up of 95% Latinx students.
Because the area has been so hard hit, parents are reluctant to send their children back.
“Those parents that have experienced the worst of this pandemic, and that unique trauma and that unique anxiety as it relates to reopening schools presents a challenge, and we must acknowledge that.”
Which is why he supports a hybrid learning model for now, but reiterated that all kids need to at least have the option to be back in the classroom.
“The evidence is overwhelming, we can safely do this with the right interventions, with the right modifications. That’s why we provided real support,” he said, referring to state funds being used to support testing protocols for schools, financial incentives for teachers and staff and more.
Newsom says the amount of money being spent on education is historic for California.
“Use this money to extend learning opportunities, extend the school day, extend the school year. Who says you have to end on June 1 or June 15? Who says that? We’re not saying that, we’re saying the opposite: reimagine, for the kids.”
Earlier this month Newsom said he expects all schools will return to fulltime in-person learning by the fall, but urged districts to move faster if they can.
“Because consequences of delay are profound, particularly for our diverse communities. And if they need more, let me know what more you need. This is real money we’re putting up. Money’s not an object now, it’s an excuse.”
He says summer school this year will be crucial to help students who have fallen behind because of distance learning.
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