Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Buffalo Public Schools are working toward their phase III and phase IV reopening process that will result in a significant increase in school population two days per week.
All high school students, grades 9 through 12, will be invited to return to class April 26. The return to school for high school grades includes students who have previously been excluded or who had previously chosen not to attend in person. Approximately 56 percent of the high school population in all Buffalo Schools is expected back in classrooms for a hybrid learning program that includes two days of in-school instruction.
All elementary and middle school grades will be invited to return to school on May 10. This phase IV reopening will include all elementary grades and grades 5 through 8, including any students who had previously decided not to attend in person. Approximately 58 percent of Pre-k through grade 8 population is expected to return to class May 10 as part of a hybrid program including two days of in-class instruction.
Both phase III and phase IV are a hybrid return to class and not a five day in-school schedule. "I don't see us getting into a five day a week scenario for kids anytime soon," stated Superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash during a school board work session Wednesday evening. When the time is right for a five day return to class, Cash expects grades pre-k through two to be the priority.
Despite the new CDC and New York State guidance allowing three foot social distancing to be implemented in elementary schools, Cash told the board the district will remain with the six foot distancing. "I don't want one child to get sick because we did something that wasn't smart."
Dr. Cash was guarded in his comments on a return to class, referencing 114 new cases of COVID within the district in the last three days and 500 cases within schools in Erie County for the week ending April 3.
"We have to stay vigilant. We have to stay cautious."
