RI Schools Reopening: Final Decision Expected Aug. 16

PROVIDENCE, RI — With the first day of school in Rhode Island set for Aug. 31, parents, teachers and students alike all have the same question: when will we know if schools will actually open?

At Wednesday's weekly news conference, Gov. Gina Raimondo announced that a decision of whether to go for a full reopening, hybrid model or fully distanced approach will be announced by Aug. 16. Although schools would not be ready to reopen today, she said, officials will continue to work throughout the next five weeks to address concerns about testing, transportation, cleaning protocols and more.

"What's the bottom line? The bottom line is schools are opening Aug. 31," Raimondo said. "Exactly what they look like when we open we do not right now know."

Raimondo also said that masks will likely be required in schools as much as they can be implemented, and that parents are expected to have the option to keep students home for distance learning if they are not comfortable sending them to school.

"We are going to require masks," Raimondo said. "This is something we are heading from teachers. They will feel safer if everyone is wearing masks."

All districts submitted reopening plans to the Rhode Island Department of Education, which provided feedback. These plans are now ready for the public, Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green said, and more information is available on the state's school reopening website.

"Our kids do 100 percent better when they are in school. We all know that. But only if it's safe.," Infante-Green said.

Much like the state's approach to moving to a new phase of reopening, five benchmarks will need to be met to ensure it is safe to resume in-person school.

1. Statewide readiness: Does state-level data indicate we should be in phase three or higher?
2. Municipal readiness: Do municipal-level case rates indicate it's safe to fully reopen?
3. Testing ability: Is there the ability to test all asymptomatic staff and students and, on average, get results within 48 to 72 hours?
4. Supply readiness: Do schools have enough masks, hand sanitizer, cleaning equipment and other needed supplies?
5. Operational readiness
   1. Does every school district have a reopening plan approved by the departments of Health and Education?
   2. Are health precautions in place in reopening plans, such as social distancing and stable pods?
   3. Are health screening protocols in place in each school?
   4. Is there a plan in place to support students and staff who become ill?

These five categories will be the state's main focus in the five weeks until school begins, Raimondo said.

"Getting schools ready is a tough one. I feel that as a governor and I feel that as a mother," the governor said. "We're not going to let anyone go back to school if it's not safe. Won't do it. Not going to happen."