Woodland Hills School District reopening plan begins with online classes

Woodland Hills School District on Tuesday released a plan for reopening its schools, beginning with virtual instruction.

The academic year will begin on Aug. 24, as planned, but there will be no students in the classrooms.

Per the document outlining the plan, schools may reopen for in-person classes after “14 days of continuous declining covid case diagnoses within the County.”

Once the schools open for in-person classes, Woodland Hills will operate on a hybrid model. Students will go to school either Monday and Thursday, or Tuesday and Friday. On the other three days of the week, they will learning virtually from home. Students who prefer not to return to the building can continue studying entirely online.

Audra Hamlett, whose daughter Lauryn will be a freshman at Woodland Hills High Schools this year, has been involved in the reopening discussions. She said she participated in two virtual town hall meetings and helped other parents keep up with the plans.

“There was a lot of insight from parents, administration, nurses, doctors. I loved that they allowed us all to have input,” she said.

Hamlett isa proponent of the plan, which she believes balances education and safety. She believes the school district will ensure that teachers and technology are accessible during remote learning.

“This plan is in place to keep [students] safe,” she said. “I don’t feel like they’re skimping on the educational plan at all.”

Hamlett said she’d probably send her daughter for in-person classes once the option is available, but agreed with the district’s plan to wait for a two-week downward trend in coronavirus cases.

Woodland Hills Superintendent James Harris did not return phone calls Wednesday.

The reopening plan highlights standard covid-19 guidelines, including daily cleaning with CDC-approved sanitation supplies, sanitizing stations, and desks spaced apart for social distancing.

Students and staff will be required to wear face coverings in classrooms, hallways and communal areas, including school buses.

Parents are encouraged to screen their children for symptoms before sending them to school. The reopening plan also references an electronic questionnaire, which will ask students questions about possible virus exposure and general health. There will be a nurse available for temperature screenings, if necessary.

Playground equipment won’t be in use, lunches will be served in classrooms, and some classes may be held in cafeterias, auditoriums or outdoor spaces.