MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Public Schools has released its plans for reopening schools this fall.
The school district released a 44-page document detailing several scheduling scenarios and other precautions MPS was taking for the 2020-2021 school year.
The district is considering three scheduling scenarios for the school year, including that schools will remain closed for in-person instruction, social distancing practices will be in place at school, and schools reopening under normal conditions.
“We are looking at and going through and trying to make sure we make the decisions to meet the needs of all of our families in the City of Milwaukee,” said Superintendent Keith Posley while addressing the school board.
Under the first scenario, schools closed to in-person instruction, MPS is considering full remote learning options, including coordination with the Department of Public Instruction to make sure instructional requirements are being met.
Under the second scenario, schools would reopen with various social distancing requirements in place and an option of a two-day rotation. They would attend classes two days of a four day week. The rest of the week is virtual learning.
Within this scenario, elementary schoolers could attend face-to-face classes across all MPD buildings, while secondary students take part in a virtual learning option.
Under the third scenario, operations would return to normal and include face-to-face instruction, with a virtual option to accommodate families uncomfortable with sending their children back to school.
On top of those options, there are also three different possibilities on when the school year could start depending on COVID-19.
Option 1- Early Start Aug. 17th
Option 2- Traditional Start, Sept. 1st
Option 3- Late Start, Sept. 8th
"Because studies show that students learn best with face-to-face instruction, MPS will make every effort to offer instruction in the traditional classroom setting for the full 2020-2021 school year," said the district in the plan. "However, MPS may need to be flexible to start the upcoming school year. For example, should a return to traditional classroom instruction not be possible until September, MPS will need to be prepared to deviate from its two-calendar system and offer instruction to all students on a one-calendar system as discussed."
Among other changes for the upcoming school year listed in the MPS plan, if in-person instruction should resume, classrooms will be reevaluated and rearranged to allow for social distancing measures.
The district will also designate 215 people alone just for cleaning. They also plan to have staff and students wear masks when necessary.
"We are looking at and going through and trying to make sure we make the decisions to meet the needs of all of our families in the City of Milwaukee," said MPS Superintendant Keith Posley.
Some school board members though are not sure how MPS will be able to fulfill the options with limited staff.
“I continued to be concerned about promising more to the public, more to our families if we can’t find sufficient staff,” said Bob Peterson.
MPS will ask parents to rank which options they prefer. Those surveys will start going out next week.
To read the full document from MPS, click here.
Milwaukee Public Schools Reopening Plan (draft) by TODAY'S TMJ4 on Scribd
