Lexington-Richland 5 will go back to school 4 days a week. Here’s when students start.
Students in Lexington-Richland 5 will begin returning to class four days a week beginning next Monday, the latest step in the school district’s return to normal from a coronavirus-induced shutdown.
District Superintendent Christina Melton announced the reopening plan at a school board meeting at Dutch Fork High School on Monday, as district parents call for a return to a regular school schedule in the Chapin and Irmo area.
Starting Oct. 5, students from kindergarten to second grade will return to class on a four-day schedule, with Wednesday still used for virtual learning while staff clean the schools.
Two weeks later, on Oct. 19, students from third to sixth grade will return to a four-day schedule. And beginning Nov. 9, students in seventh to 12th grades will move to the four-day schedule.
Students will also have the option to continue to use an all-virtual model, and students will have the option to change their preference once the next phase of reopening begins.
“This has been divisive for our community in many ways,” Melton said, but she thanked parents and teachers for their comments on the district’s reopening plan. “All that helps us make sure we are student-centered and staff-supported.”
Lexington-Richland 5 returned to class on a hybrid model, with students alternating on campus for two days, and learning remotely for three days.
Some parents have struggled with managing that schedule and ensuring their children can get their virtual work done. On Sept. 14, around 100 parents in Lexington-Richland 5 protested outside a school board meeting at Irmo High School, calling for a return to five-day-a-week in-person classes.
But the board narrowly voted 4-3 not to commit to a full reopening on the planned Oct. 8 date, one month after the fall semester start date. Instead, the board left it to Melton to decide whether a return to classes can be done safely next week.
Superintendent’s plan for students’ return
On Monday, Melton spelled out the plan for a safe return. The board had collected feedback from parents, teachers and staff since the Sept. 14 meeting. The district’s plan is similar to a four-day reopening plan announced by Lexington 1 last week.
“I regret that the community is so divided and our emotions are so high,” Melton said, “but I don’t regret our compassion and care for our children, or our concern for our staff.”
Elementary school students will have the option to request a change from in-person to virtual learning, or vice versa, from Oct. 5 to 16, with any changes set to begin on Nov. 12. Secondary school students can request a change from Nov. 9 to 20, with changes to start Feb. 3.
Since the last school board meeting, Melton pointed out that S.C. Superintendent Molly Spearman sent a letter to all district superintendents asking that schools move more quickly in helping students with special needs return sooner to face-to-face instruction.
Between Sept. 18 and 22, the district polled parents and teachers to gauge their preferences for returning to class. Out of 10,000 unique responses from parents, 57.2% said they prefer a five-day-a-week option, while 22.8% said they prefer the two-day model and 20% are in the district’s virtual program.
School district staff was more reticent to commit to a return. Of the respondents, 43.5% said they would prefer teaching in class on a two-day schedule; 36.8% prefer the four-day model; only 19.8% support a five-day model.
Among parents, 55.8% said they could be prepared to return to a full school schedule within a week, while just 40.7% of teachers said they would be prepared to return in that time frame.
This story was originally published September 28, 2020 at 8:18 PM.
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