The Cypress School District Board of Trustees on July 16 posted their “reopening” plan for the 2020-21 school year, which Supt. Ann Silavs acknowledged could be affected by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s school reopening criteria issued Friday.
The Governor announced stringent criteria for 31 counties that are currently on a state “watch list,” which currently includes Orange County, that must be met before any physical instruction can be allowed.
“Despite this new development, the district will continue to plan for implementation of its Board-approved reopening plan,” said Silavs in a press release.
Cypress has set August 26 as a start date, and although the plan does provide for the actual reopening of schools, the Governor’s order and the situation in Orange County may delay students returning to campus.
“In the event Orange County is still on the state’s COVID-19 monitoring list on August 26, all students will begin school on a Distance Learning schedule until we are allowed to resume on campus instruction,” said Silavs in the release.
On July 20, the district opened the Aeries Parent Portal where parents could select from a choice of schedules available for students. According to the information, students and parents will have a chance to select from regular schedules, a hybrid schedule (mixture of online and physical learning, and a distance learning option.
The Board of Trustees have also made special provisions and choices for transitional kindergarten and special education students.
The system is emphasizing its safety measures “to ensure the health and safety of students and staff.”
There will be daily health screenings, including temperature checks, students and staff must wear face masks while on campus or riding on a school bus (though requirements differ for various ages and grades), students and staff must maintain social distancing and physical barriers have been installed between student desks and hand washing will be required throughout the school day.
Silavs said parents will receive an email with the exact details of the reopening plan and the plan, and any changes, are regularly posted on the district’s web site.
“As we continue to plan and prepare for the 2020/21 school year, we will keep our families updated regarding state orders as they relate to school reopening. Regardless of Orange County’s status on the state monitoring list, the first day of school in the Cypress School District will be Wednesday, August 26, 2020. We will notify families on Friday, August 21 if the first day must be Distance Learning for all.”
Detailed information is available on the Cypress School District’s web site, www.cypsd.org.