Las Cruces Public Schools to be online only for Aug. 12 class return
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- This fall, Las Cruces Public Schools students will return to their classes entirely online absent in-person instruction, district officials announced on Tuesday.
The district had considered resuming with a hybrid model, with students attending school two days a week and learning from home the other three days a week. But school leaders ultimately decided for now to start at 'Phase Red' due to recent coronavirus case growth.
With circumstances changing every day, the plan is subject to change. The district has three planed phases of instruction:
- RED Phase: Entirely online instruction
- YELLOW Phase: Hybrid model, with a mix of in-person and online instruction
- GREEN Phase: Entirely in-person instruction.
Superintendent Karen Trujillo said class will begin on Aug. 12.
Masks or face coverings will be required for all teachers and staff members when they do return to the classroom, according to the plan. They will also be required for all students, but there will be exceptions for students with medical conditions.
Students can also ask to participate in the Virtual Learning Academy, which is entirely online instruction for the whole semester regardless if phases change. The deadline to apply for it has been pushed back to this upcoming Friday.
Again, the district is now planning on entering school with the red phase of instruction.
“It is not just me waking up one morning and saying, ‘We’re going to do X,' said Trujillo at Tuesday's school board meeting. "It really does have to be something that is done in conjunction with administration, making sure that we are prepared following all the directives that have been provided to us.”
The entire packet is detailed at this link. Just scroll down to page 15.
