MC schools to reopen using “hybrid” plan

by Larry Chowning – 

The Middlesex County School Board voted 4-0 Monday to approve a “hybrid” school opening plan for Aug. 24 that will include staggered four-day-a-week classes — two days with face-to-face, in-school instruction, two days of virtual instruction and Wednesdays will be teacher workdays.

Dr. Peter Gretz said the school opening plan was developed from information gleaned from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Virginia Department of Health, State Department of Education COVID-19 guidebook, Gov. Ralph Northam’s mandated regulations and from parent and teacher input.

In order to maintain social distancing, the student population will be split into two groups, now named Group A and Group B. The two groups will be attending classes on different days to maintain social distancing. On the days Group A is having face-to-face instruction, Group B will be having virtual instruction and vice versa.

Dr. Peter Gretz said that Wednesdays during the week will be teacher workdays, but will also be deep cleaning days for janitors. The schools will be thoroughly cleaned on the weekends too.

The approved school opening health plan does “not mandate the wearing of masks in schools,” which according to Dr. Gretz…