Bexar County Schools Ordered to Continue Remote Learning
July 17, 2020 - San Antonio
Back to School on Hold. Teachers and students from J.T. Brackenridge Elementary School gather for a solar mural unveiling in January of 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic would soon split classrooms and call for distance learning a few months after this photo was taken. Photo: B. Kay Richter
By B. Kay Richter - Writer, San Antonio Sentinel
San Antonio Metro Health Medical Director Dr. Junda Woo issued a health directive requiring that schools within the boundaries of Bexar County will not re-open for on-campus instruction until after September 7, 2020.
The health directive applies to all public and private schools within the local region. Local officials also warn that face-to-face instruction could be delayed further based on the assessment of public health conditions.
In a press release distributed on Friday evening, Dr. Woo recognized the importance of re-opening schools but also recognized the higher risk for the spread of COVID-19 within schools.
"This directive considers the higher risk for spread of COVID-19 in schools due to their confined spaces, and the challenge for children in following social distancing and hygiene guidelines," Dr. Woo said in a press statement.
A young girl from J.T. Brackenridge Elementary School watches a solar mural unveiling in January of 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: B. Kay Richter.
Woo also indicated that the re-opening of schools will happen in phases based on the metrics for COVID-19. The health directive states the following:
* School systems must not re-open schools for on-campus, face-to-face instruction until after September 7, 2020. A school may accommodate families without internet access or devices by providing access to remote learning in accordance with guidance issued by the Texas Education Agency.
* School districts may provide virtual instruction consistent with individual district or school academic plans.
* School instructors may use classrooms for video streaming if they are alone in the classroom and the building occupancy does not exceed 10%.
* All school-sponsored events and activities, including but not limited to extracurriculars, fairs, exhibitions, academic and/or athletic competitions, must not take place in person, on or off-campus, until school systems resume on-campus instruction.
* Each school system will develop a written safety and health protocols plan by Friday, August 21, 2020 to include protocols for resuming on-campus instruction and extracurricular activities. School systems must make the plan available to parents and the general public.
Due to the nature of the national pandemic, local health officials plan to continue to monitor the progress and warning indicators in order to determine if further delays will be needed to protect the health and safety of students, teachers, and school staff members.
B. Kay Richter is a writer and photographer residing in the Alamo City. Contact her at bkay@sasentinel.com