ARIZONA NEWS
Mesa Public Schools’ initial reopening plan includes remote learning option
PHOENIX — Mesa Public Schools on Thursday announced an initial reopening plan that includes an option for students to be educated remotely during the upcoming school year.
Amid the evolving coronavirus pandemic, Arizona’s largest K-12 school district has devised three different learning options: in-person learning, modified in-person learning and remote learning.
The plan was devised by a 170-person task force comprised of teachers, administrators, parents and community leaders.
Students will be permitted to periodically transition among the different options.
Regarding in-person learning scenarios, face coverings may be required per city mandate.
The district will also provide laptops to students for learning remotely.
Mesa Public Schools began presenting the three options to community stakeholder focus groups on Thursday and will continue daily through Wednesday, incoming Superintendent for Mesa Public Schools Andi Fourlis told KTAR News 92.3 FM.
“Over 6,500 people have RSVP’d that they will be attending,” Fourlis said.
“Our goal is to share the plans with them so that they can provide us their reactions and their feedback, and we are going to take all of that data and then we will then present to the community our final plans.”
The district is scheduled to present its final refined plan to the public on July 14.
Given the size and diversity of Mesa Public Schools, Fourlis said the district anticipates tailoring options for families rather than enforcing a uniform policy
“One option would not meet the needs of all of our community members,”
“We are envisioning that when we open school, we would be offering a combination for families to chose from.”
Each scenario maintains a five-day school week and provides for extracurricular options in accordance with safety guidelines.
Enhanced hygienic practices and social distancing protocols are required for all in-person learning scenarios.
“In all of those options … We would be taking the highest level of care of the social, emotional well-being of our students and our staff and that we will be opening in a safe environment that allows our students to learn,” Fourlis added.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Griselda Zetino contributed to this report.
