OPS returns to in-person learning at full capacity, with health guidelines still in place
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Updated: 7:31 PM CST Feb 2, 2021
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Updated: 7:31 PM CST Feb 2, 2021
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KATHERINE: ROB, ALEXANDRA, WE SPOKE WITH THE MORTON MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL. SHE SAYS ALL COVID-19 PROTOCOLS ARE STILL IN PLACE. AND HER STAFF IS KEEPING SAFETY A TOP PRIORITY FOR EVERYONE IN THE SCHOOL. FOR MORTON MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS, TUESDAY FELT LIKE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL ALL OVER AGAIN. >> MOST OF THEM WERE TICKLED PINK TO BE HERE. SOME HAD NOT SEEN THEIR CLASSMATES FROM THE OPPOSITE ALPHABET SINCE LAST MARCH. KATHERINE: MORTON MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, DR. KIMBERLY JACKSON SAYS THE TRANSITION TO 100% IN-PERSON LEARNING MEANS MAINTAINING GUIDELINES TO PROTECT EACH OTHER. >> THE STUDENTS AND ADULTS UNDERSTAND IT IS A SHARED COMMITMENT. KATHERINE: PARENTS HAD MIXED THOUGHTS ON THE TRANSITION. >> IT IS HARD TO DO WHAT I HAVE TO DO AND MONITOR KIDS WHILE THEY ARE IN SCHOOL. KATHERINE: RAYESHA MOORE SAYS SHE’S HOLDING STAFF AND HER OWN KIDS ACCOUNTABLE. >> I TOLD MY SON TODAY, IF YOU SEE FRIENDS, WAVE, DON’T HUG. KATHERINE: LAMONTE WHITE IS IN HIS 60’S, AT-RISK OF CATCHING COVID-19. HE WISHES THE DISTRICT WOULD HAVE STAYED IN THE HYBRID 3/2 MODEL. >> I WISH THEY WOULD HAVE KEPT IT REMOTE UNTIL I GOT MY SHOT. KATHERINE: MORTON HAS KEPT ITS STAGGERED BELL SCHEDULE, SOCIALLY DISTANCED DESKS AND CAFETERIA TABLES AND STRICT MASK REQUIREMENTS. >> I HAVE A PERSON STANDING AT THE DOOR EVERY DAY WITH EXTRA MASKS, SO IT IS NOT A PUNITIVE ISSUE. IT DOES NOT MATTER, THEY NEED ONE. THAT IS WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT. KATHERINE: WITH THE HELP OF STUDENTS, TEACHERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DISINFECTING THEIR CLASSROOMS. >> WITHIN EACH CLASS PERIOD, WE GO THROUGH AN EXTENSIVE SPRAY DOWN A BEACH DESK, AND AFTER THAT, THE KIDS DON’T TOUCH ANYTHING UNTIL THE EXIT THE ROOM IN THE NEXT GROUP COMES IN. KATHERINE: TEACHERS ARE ALSO KEEPING THEIR DISTANCE STICKING TO VIRTUAL VISITS WITH OTHER FACULTY. >> WE DON’T EAT TOGETHER, WE DON’T EVER AS ADULTS BECAUSE WE KNOW WE ARE THE HIGHER RISK GROUP. KATHERINE: RIGHT NOW, 30% OF OPS STUDENTS ARE REMAINING AT HOME FOR REMOTE LEARNING. FACULTY AND STAFF ARE WORKING TO KEEP THOSE STUDENTS ENGAGED WITH CLASSMATES AND THEIR TEACHERS THROUGH VIRTUAL ACTIVITI