Columbus City Schools has announced some students will return to the classroom for the first time since March 2020.
A blended learning model will begin next month for certain groups of students, meaning they will be attending classes in school buildings two days per week and at home three days per week.
“We were successful in transitioning our CTE students to a blended learning model during the fall, but now we are ready to expand beyond that group,” said Dr. Talisa Dixon, superintendent and CEO of CCS, in a emailed statement to parents. “Our youngest learners need that in-person, face-to-face connection with their teachers, which allows them to build meaningful relationships that may not be possible in a remote learning environment.”
This news comes after the district announced winter sports programs can begin practicing Friday, Jan. 15 during a special board of education meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 12.
Dr. Dixon said teams will be permitted to begin competing in events on Jan. 24 if the advisory by Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health, which is set to expire Jan. 23, is lifted.
On Monday, Feb. 1, all students in grades Pre-K through 3, students in Career and Technical Education programs at Columbus Downtown High School and Fort Hayes Career Center, and students with identified complex needs in grades Pre-K through 12 will transition to a blended model.
On Monday, Feb. 8, all students in grades 4 and 5 will also transition to the blended learning model.
Students in grades 6-12, aside from those with complex needs, will remain in remote learning until transportation and logistical issues due to a national shortage of bus drivers and a reduced capacity of buses to meet COVID-19 health and safety guidelines can be addressed.
For families who aren’t comfortable with their students attending in-person classes just yet, the district has left open the second-semester registration period for the its Digital Academy, a completely remote option for students in grades K-12.
The district is working with Columbus Public Health to prepare for the administration of vaccines to CCS staff members starting Feb. 1. It was previously announced by Governor Mike DeWine that, in order for a district’s staff and teachers to qualify for receiving the vaccine, the district would have to meet in-person learning requirements.
The vaccine will be made available to all CCS staff, with teachers and school-based staff taking priority.
Visit www.ccsoh.us for more information on the CCS blended learning model.