KANSAS CITY, Mo. — An increasing number of school districts on the Kansas side of the Kansas City area are moving forward with plans to welcome back students on campus this fall.
Wyandotte County officials announced details Monday for plans to return to in-person classes for elementary and secondary schools students in August.
The Blue Valley School District's incoming superintendent, Dr. Tonya Merrigan, said her district is planning to “welcome back students in person on Aug. 13" in a letter sent Tuesday to parents.
Merrigan acknowledged ongoing uncertainty about the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, and said the district is still waiting for additional recommendations and guidelines from the Kansas State Department of Education.
“We miss our students and want them back in our schools,” Merrigan wrote. “We are committed to ensuring in-person school occurs with reasonable safety modifications.”
Merrigan said the district will release additional details July 16.
She also cautioned that, while students are expected to be able to return to school, things will look much different — from class schedules and student transportation, to the flow of students in hallways and extracurricular activities.
In addition to pursuing an in-person opening this fall, Merrigan wrote that Blue Valley is expanding its distance learning program to prepare for instances where the district might temporarily close school due to the pandemic.
Virtual education would also be offered for parents who want their children to learn at home, though Merrigan said the details of such a program are still being worked through.
Blue Valley’s news comes as officials in the Shawnee Mission School District met Monday night to map out that district’s plans.
