Students at Marshall Fundamental (File Photo – Felita Kealing).
The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) and United Teachers of Pasadena (UTP) reached agreement on reopening schools for in-person instruction, agreeing to adjust the date for preschools and elementary schools to begin opening with a hybrid simultaneous learning model after spring break.
By News Desk
The District and UTP agreed to return to the table on March 26 to outline the resumption of in-person learning for students in grades 6-12.
Superintendent Brian McDonald said:
We’re excited to reach an agreement with UTP that returns PreKindergarten-5th grade student cohorts to in-person learning in a hybrid simultaneous model. Adjusting our start date and reaching this agreement means that we can welcome our students as a united team.
Student cohorts in PreKindergarten, Transitional Kindergarten, first, and second grades will return to campus on April 13 immediately after spring break. Grades 3-5 return on April 20, 2021. Early Childhood Education programs will open at the same time as PreK-2nd grade.
PreK-5th grade teachers and UTP members will have up to five days to organize classrooms and the school environment and get ready to welcome students:
- March 17, 18, and 19, as previously scheduled.
- Two additional days: March 29 and 30, 2021.
Students will be in asynchronous learning on these days.
There is no school Wednesday, March 31 because of the Cesar Chavez Day holiday:
- Students will be in distance learning on April 1 and 2.
- April 2 is a shortened day.
- PUSD is on spring recess April 5-9.
“This agreement with our teachers’ union further strengthens our District’s plan to safely return to in-person instruction,” said Scott Phelps, Board President. “After working collaboratively with our labor partners during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are pleased to reach an agreement for PreK-5th grade that keeps our students and employees safe and reflects the thoughtful care that has characterized our District’s response to this crisis.”
Agreement has not yet been reached on middle and high school dates for preparation days for teachers. Both parties agreed to return to the table on March 26 to continue conversations regarding the effects of reopening. Students in grades 6-12 should check their Canvas account for directions from their teachers on March 17-19.
Date pushed back again. Smdh