The Kingston City School District is continuing to prepare for the return of elementary level students back to in-person learning five days a week beginning April 12.
The return to five days a week in-person instruction includes pre-k through fourth grade students for the last ten weeks of school. Remote-learning will remain an option. Over the past couple weeks, each elementary school has held a town hall to answer questions from parents and guardians concerning what the change will look like. Each school will take a slightly different approach.
Some voiced their opposition at the March 17 board meeting.
“I’m upset this new plan penalizes remote students,” said Jen VanEtten-Liese. “This year has been difficult for all families, but my son has created a bond with his teacher and team. It would be a detriment for him, with ten weeks left of school, to start all over with a new teacher from a new building who he has never interacted with.”
Padalino said at the March 3 board meeting that some students having new teachers is a tradeoff he was willing to make for the advantages of in-person instruction.
“At the [last board] meeting, Dr. Padalino said the district’s medical director opposes playing all competitive sports this year,” said Malia Cordia. “Knowing that, Dr. Padalino still supported restarting sports and the board voted in favor. I find this troubling because it makes me wonder whether or not other decisions have been made in direct opposition to the medical director or other experts.”
Cordia said parents need to be assured that safety is the top priority.
“We are all trying to strike a balance between doing things that support our mental health, such as going to school in person and playing sports, but sometimes the risks are just too great,” she said.
Padalino said at the March 3 board meeting that starting full in-person teaching in April would allow for taking advantage of the warmer weather, which offers the opportunity to eat and hold classes outside. In addition, all Ulster County teachers who sought to be vaccinated have been, which appeared to be the main factor in an announcement by the Ulster County Health Department earlier this month that resuming in-person instruction would be safe.
The Kington school district has secured three 20’-by-20’ tents for each elementary school, which will be used either for lunch and outdoor instruction. There will be no eating in the cafeteria.
Before the full switch to in-person instruction for all, the district already began phasing in students with learning disabilities, students who are struggling remotely and English language learner students.
In addition to the option of five days a week in-person learning for elementary students, the district has begun to look at bringing back older students as well; however, they would more likely see four-day weeks rather than five-day weeks. Similar to the phased in approach used by the elementary schools, the middle and high school grade levels are already welcoming a subset of students back for in-person four days a week as needed.
Padalino reported that the district has 13 in-person student Covid-19 cases, five cases for remote students, and three adult cases. He said none of the reported cases are tied to the recent return of high-risk sports.
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