The race is on to formulate plans for kids to go back to class this fall.
Many communities throughout western Mass are starting to talk more freely about how things may look. Among them West Springfield and Agawam.
In West Springfield last night parents got an idea as to how things might look. The students would be broken into "cohorts". Officials say half the students would go to class ---at schools on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday would be closed for deep cleaning each week. Then the other half of students would be going to class Thursdays and Fridays. While not in buildings, remote learning would also be conducted.
In Agawam, the Mayor William Sapelli, who is the former School Superintendent says that the system will be ready. Experts have been brought in to make sure that there is the proper sanitation and ventilation.
In many communities, there is a very real concern about transportation. In order to deal with the proper social distancing protocols students will be one to a seat. Left unanswered is where the extra money will come from for the additional buses that will be needed.
School nurses are also concerned. The nurses say they are working with students who have some rather substantial needs and those students ---and their safety and health have not been addressed yet.
School districts have until August 10th in order to come up with a plan for returning to school. There are three possible solutions. One for all in school learning. One for all "at home" ;learning and the other a combination of the two.
The absolute latest that a school district can come back to school is September 16th according to state officials.