On Dec. 30, RBUSD sent out an email to students and parents/guardians notifying them that the reopening of in-person, hybrid instruction for grades TK-2 would be postponed to Jan. 19, 2021. Previously, the district had planned to send grades TK-K back on Jan. 4 and grades 1-2 on Jan. 11. However, with the newest surge in cases in LA County due to holiday celebrations from Christmas and the New Year, school officials were forced to postpone the return date to provide a quarantine period.

Moreover, all in-person instruction for Child Development Centers (CDC), IEP or English learner services, special-day classes and outdoor athletic conditioning will be suspended until Jan. 19. So far, there is no plan in place for resuming in-person instruction for grades 3-12.

As of Jan. 9, LA County officials have reported 889,405 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 11,863 deaths. The county public health department stated that “any activity outside your home is high-risk,” and LA County ranks the highest in the United States in terms of both cases and deaths.

The High Tide will continue to cover the potential reopening of in-person instruction. Stay tuned for more upcoming coverage on how teachers will be protected from the virus.