State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley tells the House Education Committee that reopening schools next month during a pandemic will be a monumental task, but they’ve provided local school systems with guidance on how it can be done. Brumley says it all starts with good hygiene.
“First being washing hands often. Second, wearing a face covering. Third, practicing social distance at six feet to all extents possible,” said Brumley.
Brumley says they are also recommending face masks for students in grades three through 12. Students in lower grades will be with one teacher throughout the day and kids will not be allowed to sit together on a bus. Brumley says one positive coronavirus case will not shut down an entire school, but several cases could lead to a temporary closure.
“To all extents possible as can educate, they must educate, but we realize we must be nimble through this,” said Brumley.
Schools have been closed to in-classroom instruction since Governor Edwards shut down campuses last March. Brumley admits the long time away from the classroom has produced some level of learning loss.
“That’s one of the reasons I think that within the first short time that a school is open, we have to do these diagnostics. We have to understand the minimum of where the children are at a minimum in reading and in math,” said Brumley.
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