Governor's order means distance learning for all area schools

Story updated at 8 p.m. with comment from the Romoland School District superintendent:

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Gov. Gavin Newsom all but assured the closure of all school campuses in Riverside County for the opening of the academic year with his announcement today about schools in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Newsom announced schools may open for on-campus learning only if their county has been off the state’s monitoring list for 14 consecutive days. Otherwise, schools must use only distance learning for students.

To stay off the monitoring list, counties must have a COVID-19 positivity rate under 8 percent. Riverside County’s positivity rate is currently 11.1 percent, according to state health data. The county has been on the monitoring list for several weeks, and schools in Menifee are scheduled to open anywhere from 19 to 26 days from now.

In essence, this makes local districts’ agonizing decisions regarding learning models a moot point. The Perris Union High School District governing board had already voted to open the school year with distance learning as the only option. Menifee Union School District’s board voted to offer both full-time distance learning and a hybrid option allowing limited on-campus instruction. It now appears the hybrid model will be put on hold.

“The announcement made by Gov. Newsom this afternoon does not come as a surprise given the rise in cases, as well as our county being on the monitoring list,” said Candace Reines, deputy superintendent of PUHSD. “As you know, our School Board had already made the decision to prioritize the safety of students and staff by delaying face-to-face instruction, and instead starting the school year with a distance learning model.”

According to a statement released to Menifee 24/7 from MUSD, “The Menifee Union School District is studying Governor Newsom’s new guidelines for education in California released on July 17. Next week, the district will inform parents how this will impact the opening of schools for the 2020/21 school year. We thank you for your patience and understanding during this fluid situation.”

Romoland School District was scheduled to make its decision on Tuesday.

"Although we have been preparing for three instructional models, the health and safety of our school community is not something we can compromise. In accordance with the state’s updated criteria, Romoland School District will be starting the 2020-21 school year with all students receiving virtual instruction," Romoland Superintendent Trevor Painton wrote in a message to parents on the district's Facebook page Friday afternoon.


"In the virtual instructional model, students will participate in a rigorous instructional program that will include daily interaction with their teachers and peers. It is our goal to honor families’ instructional model preferences to the extent possible, and we intend to have students return to an in-person learning environment as soon as public health conditions allow."

Painton's complete message can be read on the Romoland School District Facebook page.

Santa Rosa Academy was scheduled to offer its normal range of instruction, which includes on-campus and distance learning.Mt. San Jacinto College had already announced a fall semester of distance-only learning. Newsom said his office is communicating with university systems about a similar learning model, if they haven’t already chosen to do so.

Citing the $5.3 billion in additional funding for schools in his recently approved state budget, Newsom said that school districts were expected to provide all students access to remote devices as well as internet connectivity. Details regarding implementation of those aspects must be determined by each districts.

This issue is just one of many that has prompted questions from parents, including how special education students will be taught and what working parents are supposed to do to monitor their children’s distance learning. Menifee 24/7 is attempting to get answers to those questions from local authorities.

Menifee 24/7 previously scheduled a video interview with PUHSD Superintendent Grant Bennett to discuss details of that district’s distance learning plan. Other administrators have been added to that interview, which now will be recorded on Monday. We will announce the exact broadcast time soon.

In addition, Newsom said that schools in counties where distance learning is required must ensure daily live interaction between teachers and students. Teachers must create challenging assignments that would approximate what students would get on campus. Lessons must be adapted for special education and English learning students.

Instruction for those special needs students could possibly include small group or even one-on-one Zoom meetings or in-person one-on-one meetings, said a member of the state’s education department.

Newsom said that when schools are approved to re-open their campus, all staff and students third grade and above must wear face coverings. Schools must guarantee six feet distance between everyone, and daily symptom checks must be made. Hand wash stations must be made available and areas must be sanitized daily.