What you need to know about reopening plans for some St. Louis-area schools

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ST. LOUIS (KMOX/AP) - Some St. Louis-area school districts are releasing their return-to-school plans for the upcoming 2020-21 school year. 

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, has stressed the need to reopen schools and get kids back in the classrooms. But on Monday, Democratic St. Louis County Executive Sam Page encouraged parents to opt for virtual learning when possible.

Missouri on Monday reported 530 newly confirmed cases, bringing the total since the pandemic began to 33,624. The state also has reported 1,132 deaths.

The five highest single-day totals for new cases in Missouri all were last week. Hospitalizations also are on the rise.

Here are what some school districts in the area have decided. 

Catholic schools

The Archdiocese of St. Louis will allow in-person classes to resume in August. But the Archdiocese says that could change later "contingent upon any new information disseminated over the next few weeks."

The school system that stretches across 11 St. Louis-area counties says students and staff will return to school but will follow social distancing guidelines.

Read more here.

Clayton School District

Our Return to Learn plan has two options in order to meet the varied needs of our students, staff and families. These options include different phases of learning within the District and an option to learn from home for the entire semester.

Given the rise of COVID-19 cases in St. Louis County in the past two weeks, the County Health Department has asked school districts to delay announcing how they will start school. Based on current data, it’s difficult to say today which phase of Responsive Learning we will use to start the school year on Aug. 24. It is very likely we will implement either the hybrid learning model or start the year with remote learning. Our goal is to let you know by July 29.  

Read more here.

Rockwood School District

The Rockwood 2020 Fall Return-to-School Plan currently provides two options for students to begin the school year: 

  • A reduced-capacity educational option in which students attend classes at school two days per week
  • At-home education through online curriculum.

This plan is guided by the focus areas within our District’s strategic plan, The Way Forward:  Student Academic Learning; Universal Equity, Opportunity, Access; Character and Well-Being; Community Networks; Efficiency and Effectiveness; Staff, Teachers, and Learners; and Strong Leadership.  One of the choices within our original plan outlined in-person educational services in our schools five days per week. Unfortunately, the continued spread of COVID-19 presents challenges with that approach and to the safety of our students and staff. 

Read more here.

Parkway School District

Parkway will offer two options for teaching and learning this school year which are outlined below. 

  • Option 1 contains our In-Person Learning (Plans A and B) with learning at school either five or two days per week, depending on the plan being implemented and, of course, the level of illness in the community. It also contains Plan C that is completely virtual and would be implemented only if it becomes necessary to close our schools. If this plan is implemented, students will receive instruction online at home until the level of community illness improves. 
  • Option 2 is a full-time online experience through our new Parkway Virtual Campus. Students who choose this option will attend school 100 percent online during the first semester.

At this time, we plan to open school on August 24 using Learning Plan B, which includes a blended schedule of learning both at home and at school. We will continue to closely monitor the health of our region and must acknowledge that this plan may need to change before school starts given the health of our community and any new local or state guidelines. 

Families will receive an email on Monday asking you to choose your learning option. Teachers will also receive an email asking you to choose whether you prefer to teach in-person or virtual. 

Learn more here.

Mehlville School District

Mehlville School District families have two choices to make. They can select on-campus instruction with COVID-19 safety protocols in place or full-time virtual instruction through Mehlville@Home. Parents who choose on-campus instruction should understand that depending on the prevalence of COVID-19 in the community, on-campus instruction may pivot to a staggered attendance schedule with blended learning opportunities (at home and at school) or to virtual learning.

  • Plan A: At School:
    • In-person instruction will occur on campus at all 19 schools.
    • Procedures are in place to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, including social distancing where possible.
  • Plan B: Blended:
    • On any given day, half of the student body will attend school on camps and half will learn at home.
    • New curriculum will be taught.
    • Family groups would attend school on the same days. 
  • Plan C: Connected:
    • Students will connect online with their teachers on a defined schedule.
    • New curriculum will be taught.
    • Students will be assessed as if they are in-person.

Read more here.

St. Louis Special School District

 

At this time, SSD schools will open on August 24, 2020 under Plan A – Family Choice. More details about this plan and the options that families will choose from are included, here.

SSD administrators will continue to monitor the health and safety situation in the area, and will make updates to the return-to-school plan, as necessary. 

Hillsboro R-III School District 

The Hillsboro R-III School District recognizes that many parents are comfortable with resuming in-person classes beginning August 26, 2020. In person instruction will be provided five days per week and will follow the same course /classroom expectations as those prior to the long-term closure. However, we also recognize that some families are uncomfortable with resuming in person school. As a result, the district will offer a choice between either in person instruction or online instruction.

The recommendations in this plan are current as of July 20, 2020, and are subject to change as new information is made available or new guidelines or restrictions are imposed. This plan is a district wide overview and will remain fluid. 

Read more here.
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