UPDATE | Youngstown City Schools gives students the option to return in person starting in mid-March

YOUNGSTOWN — All Youngstown City School District students will have the option to return to in-person instruction beginning the week of March 15.

On Monday, CEO Justin Jennings outlined plans for students to return to in-person instruction in March and April in three phases.

During a virtual conference today, Jennings said he decided to change Phase 1 of the plan after having conversations with community members and some colleagues from Ohio 8, the eight urban school districts in Ohio. Phase 2 and 3 of the plan will remain the same.

Jennings said some of the reasons for returning were political or personal, but a lot were the focus on the social-emotional aspect of students.

Jennings said the earliest start date was moved from March 23 to March 15 because students would have been returning at the height of state testing dates.

“We want them to get acclimated back to the classroom again before we started taking those tests,” Jennings said.

Youngstown City Schools agreed to Gov. Mike DeWine’s offer for coronavirus vaccines for school faculty and staff in exchange for a pledge to return to some form of in-person or hybrid instruction by March 1. The new plans will still miss the March 1 deadline.

Pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students will return Tuesdays and Thursdays starting March 16.

All students at Rayen Early College Middle School, regardless of grade level, will return to in-person instruction Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning March 16.

Sixth- through 12th-grade students will return Mondays and Fridays beginning March 15.

Families will have the option to continue with remote instruction full time.

Whether choosing remote or virtual instruction, students will have to keep that option for the remainder of the school year.

Youngstown City Schools faculty and staff were notified today about the changes. Jennings said the teachers union has been very supportive of the changes in the back-to-school plan.

“We’ve garnered trust with the union and vice versa with our transparency,” Jennings said. “They’re trusting that we’re going to do the right thing and keep them safe.”

Jennings said some staff members might decide not to return to teach in person because of health issues.

“We just had to go with what was best for our scholars and … at least trying to get back in person,” Jennings said.

Jennings said in a news release he remains mindful of the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“After talking to other school officials from across the state, I believe that if we follow all of the mask and social-distancing requirements, we’ll be able to open all of our school buildings and still keep scholars and staff safe,” he said. “We will continue to monitor the virus situation and make adjustments if required.”

Remote instruction will continue for all students on the days in-person instruction is not occurring.

Wednesdays will be reserved for educator office hours, professional development and deep building cleaning. The district will still have weekly food distribution on Wednesdays.

Surveys are being sent out to families to allow them to indicate their preferences for in-person or fully remote instruction.

Jennings said he wasn’t sure how many students will return to in-person instruction, but the district is prepared if all students do.

Parents and guardians will not be permitted in the school buildings.

Transportation has been a concern because of the number of Youngstown City Schools buses, social distancing guidelines and the requirement to transport students from private and charter schools.

Depending on the number of students who plan to return to the buildings, the district may need to contract with outside providers to transport students.

Although the start date moved up, the district is prepared with PPE and equipment for social distancing. Jennings said the district has been ordering PPE equipment since March 2020.

All students and staff will be required to wear masks. Desk shields are being installed in classrooms. Floors and seating areas will also be marked to ensure social distancing.

This story was originally published February 26, 2021 at 4:46 PM with the headline "UPDATE | Youngstown City Schools gives students the option to return in person starting in mid-March."