From The Tribune staff reports
JEFFERSON COUNTY — Students in Jefferson County who wish to return to the classroom will be allowed to do so soon.
“We plan to bring student back in three groups,” said JefCoEd Superintendent Walter B. Gonsoulin Jr. in a statement Thursday. “Each group will follow an A/B schedule for approximately two weeks. After that time, students will return to class five days a week.”
All JefCoEd students K-12 will be eligible to return to the classroom, although remote learning will continue to be available for students who prefer that option.
According to Thursday’s announcement, the A/B schedule separates students based on the first letter of their last name. Students who’s last name starts with letters A-L will attend in-person school on Mondays and Tuesdays. Students who’s last name starts with letters M-Z will be in the classroom on Thursdays and Fridays.
All students will be remote on Wednesdays, as facilities are sanitized.
Pre-K and exceptional education students will be eligible to return to the classroom under the A/B format starting on the week of Sept. 21. A full five-day week will become available on Oct. 5.
Elementary schools will open up under the A/B format starting on the week of Sept. 28, with traditional five-day school weeks beginning on Oct. 12.
For secondary school students (grades six through 12), the A/B format will begin on Oct. 5, with full five-day weeks returning on Oct. 19.
“It was never our intention to stay parked in remote learning,” said Gonsoulin. “As I said from the beginning, we would attempt to bring smaller groups of students back before the end of the first nine weeks.”
Gonsoulin also says masks will be required for students, faculty and staff who choose in-person learning. Transportation will be provided.