APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a long list of recommendations to get all students back in the classroom by fall.
One strategy calls for keeping the same group of students together, as much as possible throughout the day.
Districts could also stagger schedules for pickups, drop offs, and even class schedules.
Inside the building, students and staff would likely be advised to wear face masks. Desks would also be moved farther apart.
Governor Tony Evers wants kids to be back in their seats by fall.
“I think our goal should be to have school open this fall, but we also have to be prepared for alternatives A, B, C, and D.”
The state hasn’t released guidelines for public schools to reopen in the fall, but Evers says he’s working with the Department of Public Instruction to come up with options for schools districts.
Parents at Appleton Memorial Park have mixed feelings about sending kids back to in-person school this fall.
Jennifer Kelly from Black Creek tells FOX 11 the pandemic has been stressful on her and her daughter.
“Her dad has terminal leukemia, and he has no immune system. We actually were working on homeschooling her to begin with for the remainder of the year. Then COVID hit.”
Kelly says she’s doesn’t know if she’ll send her daughter to school, even with guidelines.
“These kids are constantly rotating and they’re coming home sick with flus and colds no matter how clean the school keeps it. It’s a really scary situation for people who don’t have immune systems.”
Keziah Combs from Neenah tells FOX 11 she is on board with reopening schools — with the right precautions in place.
“I think it’s fine as long as they do social distance still. I’m a little nervous because she has the weakened immune system. But she was struggling a lot being at home on the virtual schooling.”
This fall is first time Michael Faccini’s daughter will be in school. He hopes she’ll be around other kids by September.
“Life is dangerous in general, so I’m not going to shy away from letting my daughter partake in life.”
The governor hopes the state will have options to reopen schools in place by mid-June.
