Clarksdale Collegiate Public Charter School will added a hybrid model of learning this week that will put kids back in the classroom.
Executive director Amanda Johnson discussed the hybrid model plan during the Monday, Oct. 26 board meeting. The school had gone to a virtual model of learning ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
“When we think about strengths and challenges, I definitely feel planning for hybrid for the second trimester has been a strength,” Johnson said.
“It’s not stopping virtual learning. It’s the hybrid.”
Johnson broke down the structure for the board. The students will be divided up into three groups – A, B and C.
Group A will come to school Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:40 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Group B will come to school from 7:40 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Group C will learn virtually five days a week.
Johnson said the Mississippi Department of Education requires students to have the option of virtual learning.
“We feel good about our teachers,” Johnson said. “I think there were some nerves around it.”
Johnson said she received input from parents and teachers to take the right steps.
Safety precautions for in-person learning include no more than 12 students in a classroom and all students in kindergarten through second grade will have external doors that lead directly to their classrooms and a restroom in their classes. Third and fourth-graders will enter in one door and travel in the same direction to their classroom. They will only leave for the restroom. All students will eat breakfast and lunch in the classroom.
All students will wear masks and everyone have their temperatures checked. Families must complete a weekly health survey before being allowed to come to the school.
All desks will have a shield, students will be six feet apart and have their own supplies. Visitors will not be allowed in classrooms and curbside service for families will continue.
There will be the same separation on the bus as in the classroom. Buses will be sanitized after each route.
“It’s like we’re going through this first day again thinking about arrival,” Johnson said.
“We’re moving forward.”
Johnson reported there are currently 330 students enrolled with 77 kindergarteners, 76 first graders, 75 second graders, 50 third graders and 52 fourth graders. The school will keep adding one grade until kindergarteners through eighth graders are enrolled. The goal with a full school will be to have 75 students per grade for a total of 675 students.
Johnson reported the current wait list is currently at 156 students with 20 kindergarteners, 31 first graders, 14 second graders, 43 third graders and 48 fourth graders.
