Commissioner Infante-Green Previews RI School Reopening Plans
GPCC
Thursday, August 27, 2020
Discusses Distance Learning, Budget, PVD Schools and More
Chamber President Laurie White caught up yesterday with Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Angélica Infante-Green to discuss reopening plans for the upcoming school year, ongoing preparations within districts, the delivery of quality learning opportunities amid the pandemic and other related topics.
Commissioner Infante-Green also outlined ways in which businesses and other community partners have already contributed to help support the state's reopening efforts and ways in which organizations can continue to assist.
Additional topics included:
The 5 key metrics schools need to meet in order to reopen for in-person classes
Which municipalities currently exceed the number of COVID-19 cases to allow in-person instruction
The need for greater access to computers and reliable WiFi for students
Return to school plans submitted by local school districts
Academic assessments
COVID-19 testing for students, teachers and parents
Assistance from the RI National Guard to support reopened schools
Quotes of Note
"We would not do anything that does not put health and safety first. You as a parent, you know your child. You know your situation. You need to do what's right based on your concerns and your child's development."
"We are going to do our best to be transparent, to make sure that you feel comfortable sending your child back, if that is what you choose."
"One of the things that we have made very clear...the Governor and I...is that parents have a choice. Parents should have a choice. This is not a unilateral decision."