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Los Angeles County health officials are unlikely to allow public schools to reopen for general “hybrid” instruction for at least the next six to eight weeks.
Instead, the county’s Department of Public Health will use that time to monitor schools bringing back much smaller groups of high-needs students on an invitation-only basis.
Schools can begin inviting these students back to campus as soon as next week — on Monday, Sept. 14 — under new rules intended to help deliver specialized services to students at greatest risk of falling behind during distance learning, like special education students or English learners.
Under L.A. County’s rules, schools cannot invite back more than 10% of their student body to take part of these small groups.
Starting 9/14, LA County schools can reopen for small groups, including students w/ special needs, students learning english & vulnerable students like foster & homeless youth. To do so, schools must notify @lapublichealth 5 days ahead of time, but don't need to wait for approval pic.twitter.com/ZYmPI4NSxa
— Carla Javier (@carlamjavier) September 9, 2020
In a statement, the health department said officials will be watching these groups closely over the next six to eight weeks. They’ll “assess safety directives and strategies for ensuring infection control and distancing.”
“This information,” the department’s statement added, “will be used to inform the timing of future activities at schools.”
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