TOLEDO, Ohio — Leaders with Toledo Public Schools announced Tuesday that all students will return to remote learning, including students with disabilities, beginning Monday, Nov. 22.
District leaders cited the continued increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19 across Lucas County for the change, which will last through the end of the first semester, Thursday, Dec. 17. Students will then transition into winter break.
This week, TPS teachers will work to develop a virtual learning plan for students with disabilities, which will include ways to meet each student's individual needs and leaders said they will work collaboratively with parents to ensure children receive support.
Officials said previously they will reevaluate during the holiday break whether to stay remote or come back in hybrid.
"We recognize that the social gatherings that are happening at the family and friend events, such as birthday parties, weddings and funerals have been huge spreaders from the data," explained TPS Superintendent Dr. Romules Durant. "Well there's no bigger family gathering than Thanksgiving and Christmas."
Leaders said the decision was not an easy one, especially for the younger groups of kids and those with special needs, but recent trends with coronavirus has leaders wanting students and staff to be as safe as possible.
TPS started the year with remote learning, but as Lucas County progressed for the better in regards to the coronavirus, school officials decided to make the switch to hybrid learning about a month ago.
However, Lucas County has remained at Level Three "Red" since Oct. 15 after a new uptick in cases.
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Durant said that throughout the school year, officials have been watching the COVID-19 numbers in Lucas County closely.
The school's color system is in place to allow for quick changes based on what trends they are seeing, according to Durant.
He added that the decision stems from the numbers that are being observed in the community.
"In the event that we have a huge spike, we have the ability to go right back into remote, by location or by district. Or we have the ability to go right back into green just merely by an announcement," Durant said earlier in the school year.
The changes have not sat well with all parents. One DeVeaux Elementary School mother said she's not happy, but she understands because of what is going on with COVID-19 in our community.
Other parents said they are frustrated because their kids not spending much time on in-person learning.
"Who is going to be attending to that kid when they're in virtual school? Somebody has to take care of them and it's a no-win situation for the parents in that situation. So that's my opinion: virtual is a pain in the rear," Pete Peterson, a grandparent, said.
"It's not fair and the kids are the ones that are failing and it all comes back to the kids. My fifth-grader used to be an A and B student throughout her entire school career, and now she's got D minuses and C minuses," Erin Loyer, a mother of two, said.