Transportation of students biggest challenge during pandemic

The Wasco Union Elementary School District will continue distance learning for its general education students for the second quarter, Superintendent Kelly Richers announced via letter to parents.

Beginning in October and after plans are approved, on-site instruction will begin only for certain at-risk students, including selected special education, homeless and EL students. The students will be individually informed when and where to report to a campus and instructor as determined by law and need.

The district is hopeful that after the second quarter, the district will return to in-person instruction depending on the Kern County Public Health Department’s recommendation and state requirements imposed at that time.

The district will not make the switch from distance learning to in-class learning during a quarter, it will only take place at the end of a grading period.

“Class time will be three hours a day,” Richers said. “Starting times will be staggered because of the transportation requirements. There cannot be more than seven students on a bus at a time.”

“Bus drivers will drive one bus on one route and won’t be changed,” he added.

James Forrest Elementary School, Teresa Burke Elementary School, Palm Avenue Middle School and Thomas Jefferson Middle School will be the school sites.

School hours will be from 8 to 11:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Richers added that 60 parents said yes to have their child return to school with 21 saying they would not return their students to school. Seven parents were undecided as to what they would do.

The students will not eat at school; however, they will be given two sack meals to take home with them every day.

“Teachers and students will have their temperature taken every day upon entering class,” Richers said. “If one student has a temperature, the entire class will be sent home to quarantine for the entire quarantine period recommended by the Kern County Health Department.”