This Week From Del. Matt Fariss

Gov. (Ralph) Northam announced on June 9 his plan to reopen Virginia’s schools and get our students back into the classroom. The announcement echoed his previous announcements-vague and with little actionable information.

Schools are set to reopen in phases but only after getting approval for their plans from the State Department of Education. Schools will be required to follow CDC guidelines but each system is responsible for coming up with their own plan.

Phase I, effective immediately, allows limited in person instruction for students with Individual Education Programs (IEPs) if the IEP team deems it appropriate and parents consent. Virtually all other school programs remain shut down.

Phase II, effective immediately, allows for some in-person instruction for English learners and pre-K through third grade but only with social distancing measures, including reduced capacity on school buses.

There has been some confusion on the when the phases will come into effect. The current VA Forward phases coincide with the Virginia school plans. Most of Virginia is currently in Phase II.

Phase III begins widespread in-person instruction, but only with extensive social distancing measures such as staggered classes, closed communal spaces, no assemblies and other measures designed to keep students from congregating in large numbers.

There’s more to this story in the current issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Pick up a copy or subscribe at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to view the full article in the e-edition version.