By Paris Blanco
Co-Editor-in-Chief
As revealed in a district slide show, the Long Beach Unified School District has future plans for phasing students into hybrid learning.
For elementary in-person instruction, it is planned for TK-5 teachers to return to classrooms on March 22 in order to prepare for their students’ return. Then, on March 29, elementary students will return to school on a hybrid schedule.
As for middle and high schools, the return to school plans consist of a few more requirements. In order for both middle and high schools to return to in-person instruction, COVID cases must remain in the red tier for five days as per Los Angeles County requirements. Being in the red tier means that there are four to seven daily positive COVID cases per 100,000 people. The current adjusted rate of cases in L.A. County is 3.7 COVID cases per 100,000. This number is less than a rate of seven cases, according to the California Blueprint for a Safer Economy. So, L.A. County is considered to be in the red tier.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LONG BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Shown above is an example of one of the various safety posters that will be displayed on campus. For more information, visit the LBUSD COVID-19 School Opening and Safety Plan.
In the event that Los Angeles Country moves into the red tier, middle school teachers will return to classrooms on April 12 for preparation and students will return on April 20. As for high schools, teachers will return to classrooms on April 12. On April 19, high school seniors only will be returning to in-person instruction. One week later, grades 9-11 students will return to schools as well. Both middle and high school students will return on a hybrid schedule, if choosing to do so. Otherwise, students will stay on a strictly online schedule.
As stated in the LBUSD COVID-19 School Opening and Safety Plan, many in-class measures will be taken in order to ensure safety. Students will be required to wear a mask at all times and will be health screened upon arrival at school. Social distancing will also be implemented in all parts of the school, including classrooms. Additionally, all high-touch surfaces and the various rooms will be cleaned regularly. Heating and air conditioning systems are also being designed with MERV-16 (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) filters in order to increase air filtration.
According to LBUSD Public Information Director, Chris Eftychiou, “We’ve been planning for a safe return to in-person learning for many months because we know that for many students, a real live classroom is the most effective setting.”
Wendy Ochoa • Apr 1, 2021 at 11:15 pm
In Issue 7 (March 22, 2021), Paris Blanco wrote an article titled “LBUSD Plans for Schools to Return In April”. Paris Blanco did a great job of explaining the upcoming plans from LBUSD. Blanco thoroughly explained the changes in class conditions, hybrid schedule, and specific dates on which students will return. She mentioned a key factor of why students are officially going back to school. The fact is that COVID cases must remain in the red tier for five days as per Los Angeles County requirements in order for plans to remain and eventually continue. From my perspective, I was clueless about anything relating to back to school. I had minimum information on the future schedule at Millikan High School. This article came in handy with detailed information and an informative image. Additionally, Paris Blanco did a great job of citing her sources.
As a high school student who lives miles away from Millikan, I do not plan to return back to school. Blanco mentioned that it is a choice to stay on a strictly online schedule. I agree with this decision because it is more cautious. Too, I agree with students deciding to go back to school. At the end of the day, students need to socialize and live. We need to all be safe and have fun at the same time.
Sincerely,
Wendy Ochoa, Grade 12
Andrew Saray • Apr 1, 2021 at 2:47 pm
April 1, 2021
Dear Corydon Editor,
In Issue 7 (March 22, 2021) Paris Blanco wrote an article title “LBUSD Plans for Schools to Return In April”. She did a really good job breaking down how students will return to school. She explained how students from elementary to high school will slowly be brought back in April. They won’t be able to bring everyone back at the same time due to COVID cases, they are also trying to keep the cases down to a “red tier” so everyone can get back as soon as possible. Seniors will return to school first then in the following week, all the other grades will join as well. I think it’s a good idea to slowly bring back each grade especially seniors being the ones first, they would know what to do if anything happens.
I’m really glad that Paris wrote this article so it can clear up any confusion for both students and parents for people who chose to go back to school. She also explains that the staff will have a strict policy with social distancing and having a mask requirement. I think it’s a good thing that we are slowly progressing back into opening up everything. Personally, I will stay at home for the rest of the school year. It’s going to be interesting finishing off the rest of the school year both virtually and in person.
Sincerely,
Andrew Saray, Grade 12
Emily Rodriguez • Apr 1, 2021 at 2:15 pm
In Issue 7 (March 22, 2021), Paris Blanco wrote an article titled “LBUSD Plans for Schools to Return In April”. Paris mentioned the Long Beach Unified School District plan on how we will be returning to school safely with their “Hybrid” Plan. She also mentioned the different procedures and different dates that will be taking place for high school, middle school, and elementary. Elementary teachers will return on March 22nd in order to prepare for the return of the students. The next week which is March 29th the elementary students will return to school. Middle school and Highschool seniors will return to school on April 19th and 20th. Finally, the rest of the high school students will return the following week. I believe that the seniors returning to school first is a good idea since they have not had most of their senior year and they have more experience on campus. We can also hope to see that seniors are more mature and can follow the guidelines to show administrators what to expect. Overall, Paris does a great job breaking down what I can expect as a high school senior going back to school.
Sincerely,
Emily Rodriguez, Grade 12
Ximena Ramirez • Mar 31, 2021 at 11:48 am
March 31, 2021
Dear Corydon Editor,
In Issue 7 (March 22, 2021), Paris Blanco wrote an article titled “LBUSD Plans for Schools to Return In April”. Paris wrote on how Long Beach Unified is about to allow hybrid learning in the schools. Elementary schools will be the first to go, with them returning March 29th, then comes the middle and high schoolers once returning from spring break, April 19. The seniors will be the first group to return in the first week, which I believe is a good idea. Seniors have more experience around the campus, so if anything were to go wrong they’d easily be able to accommodate changes.
It’s good to hear that Millikan has a “School Opening and Safety Plan” in order to minimize contact and spread of covid-19. I hope that the staff doesn’t begin to get lenient with the mask policy, since many people tend to wear their masks under their noses and not many people say anything about it. Also when it comes to social distancing, I believe this may be the hardest to do since our campus holds many students for its size. Since many students are going to stay virtual, the campus will be less crowded, but I decided to stay home anyway to be safe. It’s going to be a very interesting time to experience both in person and virtual.
Sincerely,
Ximena Ramirez, Grade 12
Anthony Cancino • Mar 31, 2021 at 8:14 am
March 17, 2021
Dear Corydon Editor,
In Issue 7 (March 22, 2021), Paris Blanco wrote an article titled “LBUSD Plans for Schools to Return In April”. She explains the breakdown of how students will slowly be transitioning back to school from elementary to high school. To help the audience understand why some are returning to school and other grades must wait is because of the COVID cases. She explains the capacity of people who must remain in school as well as staying in the red tier. to avoid another outbreak at school. By putting this in perspective she’s helping students understand they must play a part in staying safe if they wish to remain or attend school. This article is a real wake-up call to the majority of the students especially seniors to stay safe in order to be able to return back to class and live out their last year of high school. Paris also specified the process in which who would be able to go back to school as well the dates as long as precautions and health protocols being taken in place and consideration in order to protect the students and staff from getting the virus. Overall the article was great especially from a senior point of view to understand what school will be like and how I must play my part if I wish to stay in school.
Sincerely,
Anthony Cancino Grade 12