3 Berkeley Elementary Schools Reopen

BERKELEY, CA — Three Berkeley elementary schools reopened on Monday — Jefferson, Malcolm X and Rosa Parks.

The schools opened to small groups of students and in late November, the size of those groups may increase, spokeswoman Trish McDermott said. Elementary schools were given the OK last month to reopen, but these are the first to do so.

Teachers and administrators identified the elementary school students who returned to campuses Monday based on individual needs, McDermott said. She also said the school district is planning a wider phased reopening of elementary schools in January using a hybrid learning model. Students in pre-K through second grade will go back to campuses Jan. 13 while third through fifth grade students will go back to campuses Jan. 20.

Middle and high schools were approved to reopen this week, but none are slated to do so. Middle schools and high schools were given the OK Thursday because COVID-19 case rates are down due in part to healthy habits, health officials said, but the school board has not set a reopening date.

"The district is working toward that goal," McDermott said. Before middle schools and high schools reopen, they must have a plan that complies with the state's COVID-19 guidance.

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