An Update From Monrovia Unified Regarding Hybrid Learning And The Reopening Of Schools

Press release from Monrovia Unified School District:

March 5, 2021

Dear Monrovia Unified Community,

With the one-year mark of distance learning approaching, I know we are all hopeful for the light at the end of the tunnel. COVID-19 cases and positivity rates are on a steady decline and the possibility to welcome all of our students back for in-person instruction is right around the corner.

On Feb. 25, Monrovia Unified held a webinar to present and solicit feedback regarding the proposed Hybrid Instructional Model, developed by the Elementary Task Force — a group of 25 dedicated individuals including teachers, parents, and administrators. Following the webinar, we received many inquiries from concerned parents for whom the model simply was not viable.

At issue was the requirement to transport children at midday for a two hour period of time on campus. Working parents found midday transportation an insurmountable impediment and those who were able to transport did not believe the time on campus was sufficient. The Monrovia Unified Board of Education, in response to this feedback, held a Special Board Meeting on March 2 in order to discuss the model and address the community’s questions.

During the meeting, the Board asked the Elementary Task Force to refine the model by incorporating the many, sometimes competing interests within the community. The Board delineated the following interests:

• Maintaining current teacher/student relationships
• Equity in instruction, especially when considering the needs of our most vulnerable learners (i.e.homeless and foster children, English learners, special education students)
• Adequate planning time for teachers
• Additional in-person time with the classroom teacher daily
• Supervision of students from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Alignment with the District’s secondary schedule
• Dedicated time for those remaining in Distance Learning

We received hundreds of questions and comments regarding the reopening of our elementary schools both during the webinar and through Public Comment. We will complete our individual responses to each while continuing to add to the Frequently Asked Questions tab on our COVID-19 information page.

During the next regular meeting of the Board of Education, scheduled for Wednesday, March 10, an update from both the elementary and secondary task forces will be presented, as well as a recommended timeline for reopening. You may tune in to this virtual meeting beginning at 7 p.m. on YouTube.

I am so thankful for the hard work and dedication of both our task forces for working on a plan that will best meet the needs of our students, parents, and staff members. I look forward to seeing the excited faces of our students as they safely return to school for in-person instruction.

Sincerely,

Dr. Katherine Thorossian

Superintendent

This press release was produced by Monrovia Unified School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.