Tucson Unified will start a mix of in-person and virtual learning on Oct. 19, as long as the Pima County Health Department says it’s safe to do so.
Tucson’s largest school district also announced dates for a phased-in return of employees to work beginning with district office employees on Sept. 21, followed by support staff who are not teachers on Sept. 28 and teachers on Oct. 19.
“We are committed to making these decisions, of course, based off of Pima County Health Department recommendations at every phase of this epidemic,” said Superintendent Gabriel Trujillo at the Sept. 9 governing board meeting. “We did so when the criteria was in the danger zone. We have to honor the recommendations again, as this criteria starts to move north into yellow and green.”
Despite Pima County meeting state benchmarks to start offering hybrid instruction, the Pima County Health Department has an additional metric regarding the region’s ability to conduct contact tracing that hasn’t been met. County health officials have also recommended schools wait until it’s apparent how the influx of students at the University of Arizona affects the coronavirus and public-health metrics.
TUSD employees will come back on a staggered schedule to begin with, much like the hybrid model school districts are suggesting for students. Employees in shared work spaces would be split into two groups to stagger the days they come in person.
“We think that this is the most cautious approach that allows us to take a step forward but still be able to implement all of our mitigation strategies,” Trujillo said.
As well, staff who have kids that are doing remote learning from home will have the option to bring their kids into online learning spaces in schools.
There are 716 children on TUSD campuses now, utilizing on-site care services required by Governor Doug Ducey’s executive order. TUSD has closed two campuses and two classrooms, since opening doors for those services on Aug. 17, due to cases of COVID-19.
The district, with about 45,000 students, does not make individual cases public unless there is a closure recommended in coordination with the Pima County Health Department.
TUSD is aiming to present its hybrid-learning model at the Sept. 22 board meeting. It will continue to offer fully remote learning the rest of the school year for families who want that option.
Sunnyside announced its hybrid model on Sept. 8, with the same tentative start date as TUSD. Sunnyside, Tucson’s second largest district with more than 15,000 students, estimates 25 to 40% of students will opt to stay fully remote.
This video offers some pros and cons of online education, as many schools and universities have suspended in-person classes due to the spread of the coronavirus.
Photos: Back-to-school in Tucson during the pandemic
"Mustang Stampede"
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Maddy Jacobs, 7, middle, reaches for her remote learning tool kit from her teacher, Kris Green, as her friend, Carly Kupinski, 6, watches during a "Mustang Stampede" at Manzanita Elementary School for the first day of school on August 17, 2020.
First Day of School, John B. Wright Elementary
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Augusta Iranzi, center, attends his teachers online class while monitors Jasmine Phillip, left, and Nadifo Yusuf, watch students inside a classroom at John B. Wright Elementary School, 4311 E. Linden St., in Tucson, Ariz. on August 17, 2020. About 10 students came to school for online instruction under the guidance of classroom monitors.
"Mustang Stampede"
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Lily Baser, 8, identifies herself for easy remote learning tool kit pickup during a "Mustang Stampede" at Manzanita Elementary School for the first day of school on August 17, 2020.
"Mustang Stampede"
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Krista Westmoreland, left, a third grade teacher, shows the remote learning tool kit of a student to Anna Ames, music teacher, during the "Mustang Stampede" at Manzanita Elementary School for the first day of school on August 17, 2020.
"Mustang Stampede"
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Maya Brown, 9, rides in style for her remote learning tool kit pickup during a "Mustang Stampede" at Manzanita Elementary School for the first day of school on August 17, 2020.
"Mustang Stampede"
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Multiage teachers Kris Green left, and April Pollow greet and cheer on their students during a "Mustang Stampede" at Manzanita Elementary School for the first day of school on August 17, 2020.
"Mustang Stampede"
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Maddy Jacobs, 7, left, waves to her teacher as she stands in the sunroof with her friend, Carly Kupinski, 6, during a "Mustang Stampede" to pickup their remote learning tool kit at Manzanita Elementary School for the first day of school on August 17, 2020.
"Mustang Stampede"
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For the first day of school teachers at Manzanita Elementary School greeted their students during a "Mustang Stampede" and handed out remote learning tool kits on August 17, 2020.
"Mustang Stampede"
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Kim Boling, principal at Manzanita Elementary School, greets her students and parents with a mustang during the "Mustang Stampede" for the first day of school on August 17, 2020.
First Day of School, John B. Wright Elementary
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Yarani Martinez gives a monitor a thumbs up to inform the monitor that his online class is working after classes began at John B. Wright Elementary School, 4311 E. Linden St., in Tucson, Ariz. on August 17, 2020. About 10 students came to school for online instruction under the guidance of classroom monitors.
First Day of School, John B. Wright Elementary
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Alice Flores, right, watches as her grandson Jesus Silva is escorted to the cafeteria before classes began at John B. Wright Elementary School, 4311 E. Linden St., in Tucson, Ariz. on August 17, 2020. About 10 students came to school for online instruction under the guidance of classroom monitors.
First Day of School, John B. Wright Elementary
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Augusta Iranzi follows the directions on the floor while being escorted to a classroom at John B. Wright Elementary School, 4311 E. Linden St., in Tucson, Ariz. on August 17, 2020. About 10 students came to school for online instruction under the guidance of classroom monitors.
