WILLIAMSVILLE (WBEN) - The Williamsville School District is among many area districts that notified families Monday that they intend to reopen to in-person learning for all hybrid/hyflex students beginning Monday, December 14.
In a statement from the district, Williamsville district officials say:
"Based on information and data from local, state, and national health professionals, schools are a safe place for students. We know school-aged children need to be in school, especially as it relates to the benefits of social-emotional learning and well-being. After discussions with District administration along with leaders throughout the region, it is our intention to re-open all of our schools for in-person instruction for hybrid/hyflex students in kindergarten through 12th grade on Monday, December 14, 2020."
Michael Cornell, Superintendent at Hamburg Central and President of the Erie Niagara School Superintendent's Association said the first consideration is whether it's safe. "The consensus from public health officials and our own experience is that it IS safe," he said. "We always want students to be in school, as long as it is safe and responsible to do so."
Testing can begin the same day that students return for in-person learning. It's up to each district whether they test on-site or not. If nine or more positive cases result, a school would have to go back to remote learning.
"Every school superintendent cares for the children in his or her district, as if they were their own. Every superintendent has their ear to the ground and is tuned in to the needs of their district and is establishing a timetable for a return that is most appropriate for that particular district," said Cornell.
Hamburg Central is reopening Monday to a hybrid learning model.
Orchard Park Central School District will also return to classrooms Monday for a hybrid learning model.
In a statement shared Monday, Orchard Park district officials say, "Beginning on December 14, 2020 (B-day) we are ready to safely resume in-person learning for our students. Student COVID-19 testing will also begin on Monday, December 14th."
Tonawanda City Schools also announced it will reopen Monday and required testing procedures will be in place.
The sudden wave of returns to in-person learning follows new guidance from New York State that acknowledges schools are among the safest places for students. Rigorous testing procedures will be implemented in reopening districts within the orange micro-cluster zone in Erie County.
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