Updated at 5:30 p.m. ET
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released on Friday its much-anticipated, updated guidance to help school leaders decide how to safely bring students back into classrooms, or keep them there.
Rather than a political push to reopen schools, the update is a measured, data-driven effort to expand on old recommendations and advise school leaders on how to layer the most effective safety precautions: masking, physical distancing, hand-washing and respiratory etiquette, ventilation and building cleaning, and contact tracing.
For politicians, parents and school leaders looking for a clear green light to reopen schools, this is not it.
Yukon Superintendent W. Jason Simeroth was among nearly 20 superintendents from across the country recognized recently for successfully completing the AASA National Superintendent Certification Program®.
The program, administered by AASA, The School Superintendents Association, is a collaborative effort with AASA state affiliates, the National School Boards Association, and business and corporate leaders. The master teachers and guest instructors have all been sitting superintendents and have demonstrable track records of success, according to a news release.
“AASA’s National Superintendent Certification Program® is one of the best professional development experiences I’ve ever had as an educator,” Simeroth said.
Legislative Roundup: 51 Days Remaining In Session
SFNM
A longer academic year: A bill that would extend the academic year and require all public elementary schools to provide K-5 Plus or extended learning programs cleared the Senate Education Committee on a 7-1 vote.
The K-5 Plus initiative would add 25 days to the regular school calendar, and the Extended Learning Time program would add 10 more school days and also require schools to provide after-school programming and 80 hours of teacher professional development.
Sen. Craig Brandt, R-Rio Rancho, cast the lone dissenting vote on Senate Bill 40, raising concerns about another mandate from lawmakers in Santa Fe and an extended school year.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday
“Whether you’ve imagined a world much different than the one we’re living in or you dreamed up the next great invention, WonderWorks wants to encourage young artists to think and express your thoughts through art,” staff wrote on the Branson location’s website.
For the Orlando location’s contest, submissions were accepted from students all over the state. The response was overwhelming and awesome to see, Taber said. Staff received 250 submissions overall by the Dec. 18, 2020, deadline and had to narrow it down to just a few.