UPDATE JUNE 25: Clark County School District Supt. Dr. Jesus Jara joins us in the studio this morning to answer your questions about the district's reopening plan. Watch the full interview below.
ORIGINAL STORY
Many teachers and parents are not happy with the proposed reopening planfor Clark County School District schools as they say they have more questions than answers.
“If they’re willing to take that risk of going two days a week, why not take the risk and go more," Melissa Lee said.
Lee wants to see her two kids go back to school and learn in a classroom. However, under the proposed reopening plan, her kids would be on campus for two days a week and do online learning from their home for the three other days. She says distance learning has been difficult for her as a parent, but what she wants the most is for her kids to be around others.
Clark County School District's reopening plans released for upcoming school year
“Our children need social interaction; our children need learning. Our children need a real-life,” Lee said.
The “blended learning” plan means challenges for kindergarten teachers like Kristan Nigro. She’s not sure if she’ll have the usual breakthrough with her young students without constant hands-on learning.
“It’s going to be very difficult, especially for kids who have never had any type of school experience,” Nigro said.
She is also thinking about the health of her students and fellow teachers.
Continuing coverage of the coronavirus pandemic
“Let’s say one of our students gets sick, or I get sick, then what do we do? Do we go on quarantine, and then we still continue to teach? There’s just so many unanswered questions,” Nigro said.
CCSD Superintendent Jesus Jara says the majority of teachers, parents, and students surveyed wanted in-person learning and the proposed plan was the only way to do it.
“It was important for us to find ways to provide some kind of instruction at this point, following the health guidelines that have been set in the state of Nevada,” he said.
Lee says she and other parents want to make sure their voices are heard.
“Please step up, speak for our children., and advocate for the things that you need,” she said.
The CCSD Board of Trustees will be discussing but not voting on the proposed plan when it’s formally presented at Thursday’s school board meeting.
Superintendent Jara also joined 13 Action News on Wednesday to speak about the current reopening plans for the upcoming school year:
