Vacaville schools may allow in-person lessons before January
The move comes after Solano County was given approval to move to a less-restrictive operational tier during the COVID-19 pandemic.
(Stock image, Graphic by Solano News Update)
The Vacaville Unified School District is considering re-opening schools for in-person classes before January, according to a letter being sent to parents this week.
The letter, penned by superintendent Jane Shamieh and reviewed by Solano News Update, said the Vacaville school district was one of two in Solano County weighing the possibility of re-opening schools after the county received state approve to move to a less-restrictive operational tier.
In September, Solano County officials were given approval to switch tiers based on the number of active and new COVID-19 infections. The county has experienced a mixture of lockdown and modified operations since state officials enforced a shelter-at-home order in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Schools in Solano County and elsewhere have used remote learning to carry out lessons since the start of the school year. The change in operational tier means schools throughout the county are allowed to resume in-person instruction as long as social distancing and other health measures are enforced.
The green-light is discretionary, and each school district is weighing their options based on various factors, including input from students and parents. Earlier this month, officials in Fairfield said they would postpone in-person instruction for schools there until at least January based on the results of a survey sent to enrolled students and their guardians.
(A copy of a letter being sent to parents this week outlining the Vacaville Unified School District’s pending discussions on when to resume in-person instruction across its various schools. Handout image supplied to Solano News Update.)
On Sunday, Shamieh said Vacaville school officials were considering the opposite approach, opening up schools to modified in-person learning based on a number of factors.
“We are continuing to work with our bargaining units and governing board to ensure that all precautions are in place on our campuses,” Shamieh wrote. “A lot of planning and coordination with other entities has to go into any decision we make. We would like nothing more than to go back to normal operations.”
It was not immediately clear from the letter when school board officials would discuss the possibility of resuming in-person instruction. Shamieh said answers to when schools might re-open were not available as of Sunday evening.
“As soon as dates are agreed upon, we will let you know immediately,” Shamieh wrote.
The Vacaville Unified School District operates 17 schools and three charter schools serving nearly 12,700 students throughout the city.
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