By Glenn Rolfe

For some Downstate school districts, the end of spring break will mark the beginning of increased efforts to bring more students back to in-person learning.

The Indian River and Cape Henlopen school districts have unveiled plans to offer more in-school opportunities at that time.

Meanwhile, the Seaford School District remains committed “to getting as many students back to school as we can,” said district spokesman Jason Cameron.

And earlier this month, the Sussex Technical School District, based in rural Georgetown, announced plans to expand its hybrid-learning plan, effective this coming Monday, allowing students on campus four days a week and introducing an after-school learning option for students in need of assistance.

The Woodbridge School District, which, since midyear, has operated on a week-by-week cohort schedule for hybrid students, continues with both hybrid and fully remote learning models.

The Laurel School District is still considering plans.

Indian River

Following Board of Education approval Monday, the Indian River School District will soon be offering four days a week of in-person instruction for high school students currently participating in its hybrid model.

Beginning the week of April 12, high school hybrid cohorts A and B will be combined, allowing hybrid students at Indian River and Sussex Central high schools to attend classes in person Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

“In talking with our high school principals, they have indicated that they are confident that they will be able to combine the students who are interested with those two cohorts,” said IRSD Superintendent Dr. Jay Owens. “We will need to monitor transportation, as that continues to be a hurdle for us to overcome.”

Due to a high percentage of families opting for in-person instruction at elementary and middle schools, at present, IR is unable to combine cohorts with the 3-feet social-distancing guidelines. This will result in the continuation of in-person learning two days a week in separate cohorts A and B for those younger students. Wednesdays will continue to be a remote-learning day for most.

“Due to the high percentages of elementary and middle school (students) already participating in person, combining those cohorts at these levels is going to (be) tough given the social-distancing criteria that we are mandated to follow,” Dr. Owens said. “We will still explore those areas, as well.”

In addition, all staff will now work in their school buildings Wednesdays rather than working remotely. This will give the district the opportunity to explore increased in-person opportunities for hybrid students in grades K-12 who may need extra support. Schools will coordinate with teachers and families to determine which students may benefit from midweek in-person instruction.

“There is no perfect plan for this,” said Dr. Owens. “But I do feel this plan moves a step closer in the right direction (for) when we can open up fully, which, believe me, I am ready to open up as quickly as possible, too. I do think this moves us a little closer to a traditional setting, while honoring the guidelines and while also considering our teachers’ interest.”

The district will continue to offer full-time remote instruction for parents who prefer that model. Families who would like to switch from remote to hybrid instruction should contact their child’s school by April 15 to effectively plan for the fourth marking period.

In considering such requests, schools will determine if social-distancing guidelines of 3 feet between students can be maintained in the classrooms. Additionally, schools must determine if transportation services can be provided with 3 feet between students.

Noting pressure from the community to reopen, IRSD board member Dr. Donald Hattier said word from the state and Gov. John Carney that reopening schools is totally in the hands of local districts is way off base.

“Even though the governor and his staff have said that it is up entirely to us, that is only partially true. When you are still restricting all the bus capabilities, what they have us restricted to, we have a rather large problem getting kids into school,” said Dr. Hattier. “So if the governor tells you that it is entirely up to us, he’s only giving you part of the story. This has been very specifically and pointedly sent to the secretary of education by many other people besides me. And, for whatever reason, they choose to keep telling people … that it’s all up to us, and it really isn’t.”

Sussex Tech

The Sussex Technical School District Board of Education recently approved a plan to bring students into in-person classes four days a week beginning Monday, up from two.

“Sussex Tech has taken a cautious but student-first approach we believe has paid off,” said Superintendent Dr. Kevin Carson. “Our teachers and staff have rallied and are doing excellent work, and we want to wind up the school year by giving students as much support as possible to allow them to succeed.”

Also Monday, the district is launching the Raven Academy, an after-school support service, and offering optional visits to campus for in-person or hands-on instruction on Fridays. Students will still have the option to attend classes fully remote.

“We have heard feedback from students, parents, teachers and staff and guidance from our state public health officials and taken this information into consideration,” Dr. Carson said. “Many students learn best in person, and we want to give them the opportunity, while staying vigilant and following current COVID guidelines for the safety and well-being of our students and staff.”

Cape Henlopen

Cape Henlopen Superintendent Bob Fulton recently announced that the district will be adding Wednesdays as an in-person instruction day for middle school, high school and Sussex Consortium students following spring break.

Starting the week of April 12, the two cohorts will alternate in-person learning on Wednesdays. It will begin with the Thursday/Friday cohort attending April 14. The following Wednesday, the Monday/Tuesday cohort will attend in-person learning.

With the two cohorts alternating attendance Wednesdays, all hybrid students will attend school in person a minimum of five days every two weeks, Mr. Fulton said.

Additionally, Sussex Consortium students will now attend in person five days a week. Sussex Consortium students who attend Cape Henlopen High will be remote on the three days that all high school students are listed as remote — April 21, May 5 and May 12.

Woodbridge

Woodbridge’s hybrid model differs somewhat from other districts.

“The students that we have who want to come in, half of them come in for the entire week, and then, the other half the next week,” said Woodbridge Superintendent Heath Chasanov. “We did it a little differently. In our opinion, we thought it would be easier for parents to do the week-to-week thing. We have done that from the beginning. We have A Week and B Week. And we have remote kids who don’t come in.”

There are no plans to push for an increase to in-school instruction after the break, Mr. Chasanov said.

“We did that at the midyear point. I think we had about 200 more kids who came back after the midyear point,” said Mr. Chasanov.

Special attention is being given to seniors and graduation requirements.

“One of the things we are trying to do is get our seniors in a little bit more as we can, especially those that need to do something to graduate,” said Mr. Chasanov. “We are pushing hard on those kids especially, to make sure they get all of their requirements in.”

Seaford

Seaford continues with hybrid- and remote-learning models, with hopes to bring more students as restrictions will allow.

“Our biggest hurdle is transportation at this point. Until the 23 (students) on a bus is lifted, it is really limiting what we can do,” said Mr. Cameron.

He noted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently approved 3-foot social distancing in schools and classrooms.

“But it’s getting them there. Until the 23 is lifted on the bus, it is really difficult, especially in a district like ours,” he said.

Seaford’s percentage of hybrid/remote for middle and high school is roughly 50-50, while elementary is about 70-30. “So seven out of 10 are hybrid and in school at least two days a week,” said Mr. Cameron.

The Seaford district is preparing to bring back a number of middle school students Monday in preparation for the fourth marking period.

“We have tried to be as creative as possible to get students here,” he said.