Bay Area public school leaders on Wednesday announced plans to keep campuses closed and shift to distance learning for the remainder of the academic year, a move that was expected after state officials said it was unlikely students could return due to safety concerns and the need for ongoing social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Alameda and Santa Clara county offices of education were among the first to confirm the school shutdowns.
“Our students’ learning and our teachers’ instruction is not ending, though campuses remain physically closed,” said Alameda County Superintendent of Schools L. Karen Monroe in a statement. “Every day of instruction matters, no matter whether it takes place in a classroom or at the kitchen table.
The Santa Clara County office also stressed that the 2019-2020 academic year has not ended.
“Instead, the remainder of the school year has transitioned from in-person classroom instruction to instruction and support for students through distance learning options as described by the California Department of Education,” the office said in a statement with the superintendents of the county’s 33 school districts.
Earlier in the day, Gov. Gavin Newsom and state Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond called on school districts to ramp up their distance learning curricula but stopped short of issuing firm guidelines or orders.
“Out of an abundance of caution,” Thurmond said, “we believe it is most important that all of our schools maximize their efforts around distance learning to educate our students.”
The Oakland Unified School District, which also confirmed closures of its campuses, said in a statement it is “working to determine the full impact of this decision, including exploring alternative plans for celebrating our 2020 graduates, promotions of all other grades, whether summer school will be offered, and the lost of instructional learning.”
“In the meantime,” the statement continued, “we continue to finalize plans to deliver technology to our students and families to help enhance the learning students can do at home.”
Monroe acknowledged that distance learning could place an even bigger burden on families at a time when anxiety is already high. As of Wednesday, there were 9,828 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 211 deaths in California. The virus is also roiling the economy – 1.6 million residents have filed for unemployment benefits since March 13.
“Asking parents and caregivers to take on the daunting task of supporting learning experiences that our incredible, professional teachers normally provide – on top of their needs that many of our families have to continue their own work responsibilities or to ensure their bills can be paid – adds even more stress to everyday home life,” she said.
The Santa Clara County office expressed similar concerns and said its students, families and educators will receive “ongoing support.”
“As all districts within Santa Clara County further implement distance learning options and academic strategies, the social and emotional well-being of all students is of utmost importance,” the office said. “The districts are working together to find ways to stay connected which will continue to help everyone learn together and celebrate important milestones.”
Staff writer Kerry Crowley contributed to this report.
