MUSD begins to open schools

For The Madera Tribune

Millview Elementary School teacher Tutti Houghton uses social distancing, a mask, and safety protocols, as students are welcomed back in the classroom for the first time this year.

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On Friday, Madera Unified School District’s administration determined to implement a plan to reopen its schools from TK (transitional kindergarten)-grade 12, which began Monday.

The plan was communicated to parents, and negotiations are being wrapped up with the teachers’ union.

According to the new back-to-school plan, on March 22 and 23, grades TK-1 in the K-6 and K-8 Schools will return to the classroom.

On March 25-26, grades 2-3 in the K-6 and K-8 schools will return to their campuses.

Spring break, from March 29 to April 5, will give everyone a breather, and then person-to-person learning will resume on April 6 with grades 4-6 returning to class.

Middle school and high school students will commence in-person learning on April 12. Seventh grade will return to the middle schools and K-8 schools. Ninth and 12th grades will return to high school and adult education schools.

On April 15, the eighth grades will return to the middle schools and K-8 schools while the 10th and 11th grades will return to the high schools and adult education schools.

According to Superintendent Todd Lile, “We suspect elements of simultaneous instruction are likely inevitable, and we are collaborating with MUTA to strike a balance that’s best for students and teachers.”

After today’s reopening for TK-1 classes, Lile reported “some challenges in some schools and at other schools all the safety measures functioned like clockwork. Staggering the start was justified to support parents and our youngest students. We undoubtedly learned a great deal this morning with such a small group and revisions are being made this morning to take stock of all the collective experiences at each site.”