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The Los Altos School District will hit a major reopening milestone next month: resuming five days a week of in-person learning at the elementary schools starting April 19.
The school board directed staff on Monday to proceed with the expanded reopening, which is possible due to the change in social distancing requirements for masked students in classrooms. Following new CDC guidance, the California Department of Public Health last weekend halved its spacing recommendation from 6 to 3 feet, which is prompting school districts throughout the area to reopen more fully. (Teachers will still be required to remain 6 feet from students and from other adults.)
In Los Altos, the new spacing means schools will be able to fit both the current cohorts of hybrid learning students together in classrooms five days a week and accommodate students who want to switch from virtual to in-person learning.
Transitional kindergarteners through sixth graders will have the option to return after spring break. Families will still have the option to remain in or switch to distance learning.
“Since we began our reopening planning in July 2020, LASD has been striving to move to a 5-day, in-person learning model once it was safe and allowable,” said a message schools sent to elementary families this week. “While we are excited about this new development, we recognize it is also a big change. ”
The district is still working out details of the new elementary schedule and will communicate it soon, according to the message.
Los Altos middle schools, meanwhile, reopened for two days a week of hybrid learning this month — seventh grade on March 8 and eighth grade on March 15. Some trustees voiced concern on Monday about disrupting their schedules again to offer more in-person instruction, though they encouraged staff to find ways to let middle schoolers spend more time on campuses.
