The closures lasted only Monday, Jan. 11.
âWeâre back!â declared a PUSD Facebook post Tuesday, Jan. 12.
With the spread of COVID-19 accelerating, many districts around the West Valley closed classroomsâor kept them closedâwith online teaching only after winter break.
âBenchmarkâ metrics on the spread of COVID-19 in communities updated Jan. 7 showed slight improvements in Glendale and Peoria, though ZIP codes in both cities remain âin the redâ with substantial spread of coronavirus.Â
Peoria Unified was one of the few districts to keep classrooms open after the winter break.
On Friday, Jan. 8, the Peoria Education Association announced a one-day âsick out.âÂ
A New Year begins with school districts struggling with a divisive question: to close classrooms or not to close?
Arizonaâs COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population soared to 112, the highest in the country, according to CDC data released Tuesday, Jan. 5. Arizonaâs rate was nearly double the national average.
And, as of Dec. 31, Glendale and Peoria ZIP codes were all above 500 cases per 100,000 in the last seven days, indicating a âsubstantialâ level of COVID-19 risk.
While previous guidance from public health officials was to close classrooms and have online teaching in communities with substantial spread, officials now urge districts to have students in classrooms.
A New Year begins with school districts struggling with a divisive question: to close classrooms or not to close?
Arizonaâs COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population soared to 121, highest in the country, according to CDC data released Monday, Jan. 4.
As of Dec. 31, Avondale, Buckeye, Goodyear and Tolleson were all above 700 cases per 100,000 in the last seven days, with Litchfield Park over 600 new cases per 100,000 in the last seven days.
While previous guidance from public health officials was to close classrooms and have online teaching, officials are now urging districts to teach students in classrooms.
The guidance is somewhat conflicting.
For public schools in the West Valley, the Maricopa County school metrics shows an overall risk level of âsubstantialâ and ârecommended learning scenario is: virtual with onsite support.â