LAS VEGAS (AP) - The largest school district in Nevada has announced its youngest students are scheduled to return to in-person education on March 1 on a voluntary basis, with employees returning a week earlier.
The Clark County School District, which includes Las Vegas-area schools, said in a statement Wednesday that prekindergarten through third grade students whose parents complete the hybrid cohort questionnaire will return to a hybrid education model.
Parents who already did the questionnaire over the last week will have an opportunity to change their responses before the deadline on Friday.
The hybrid model is based on an agreement approved by the district’s board of trustees earlier this month.
“Throughout the second semester, the district will work to transition additional grade levels to the hybrid instructional model; however, there is currently no timeline for this transition,” the statement said.
Teachers and other designated staff are expected to return to their work locations on Feb. 22. The number of employees needed to return to each campus will vary, depending on how many students sign up for in-person learning.
The agreement between the district and the union representing school district workers also highlighted health and safety requirements, such as personal protective equipment for employees.
A new report this week from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said schools can operate safely if precautions are taken. The agency recommends measures such as wearing masks, social distancing inside classrooms and hybrid attendance models.
School Board President Linda Cavazos said there are concerns about the return to school plan that she hopes will be resolved as more details are announced.
“I hope we can get a clearer picture for our employees, both the ones very willing to go back and the ones that have some concerns,” she said. “It’s causing such anxiety, and I think the more details we have, we can alleviate some of that anxiety.”
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