MONROE CITY: COVID-19 & SCHOOL REOPENING

by City School Board President Betty Ward-Cooper

As the number of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations continue to increased, I fully support the decision to delay the start of school until late August.

We will continue to monitor conditions from day to day, and week to week, and make the adjustments needed to protect the life and health of our students and staff members. No other concerns outweigh, the life and health our school family.

In these perilous times, virtual instruction is essential to protecting the life and safety of our students and staff. Many families have made it clear. They will not allow their children to return and will seek out options for virtual instruction or homeschooling if the only option is to return to a school campus.

We all agree, from an instructional standpoint, that effective instruction on a school campus is best-but it is the least safe option. We are facing circumstances that place the life and health of our students, staff and citizens at risk. As long as COVID infection rates continue to climb, virtual instruction is the safest option available because it carries the least amount of risk to life and health.

The Governor and preeminent healthcare authorities tell us that adherence to social distancing recommendations, limiting the size of groups, practicing ongoing personal hygiene, cleaning routinely high touch surfaces, and wearing masks are among the most effective measures in bringing the current health crisis under control.

Families, remember: YOU ARE IN CONTROL; since, the Family Choice option (100% Virtual/Distance Learning) is available. Families may choose for their students to learn from home this school year.