The district announced in a June 4 video that it will offer in-person, online and hybrid programs when students return to school August 19.
“We want to get all of our students back to in-person learning as soon as possible, but quite honestly, we know through surveys taken so far and current [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] and [Texas Education Agency] guidance [that] we probably will not have all of our students returning,” Stone said in the video.
The district is designing an online curriculum with highly-trained teachers, Stone said.
“This virtual option will be very different than the at-home learning model that you experienced this spring,” she said.
RISD is considering different hybrid learning models, such as groups of students alternating between in-person and online classes.
The district is also working on a backup plan for virtual instruction in case schools have to close due to a spike coronavirus cases, Stone said.
Inventory of students, staff and facilities will be taken in July to ensure the district is prepared for the upcoming school year.
“For students, we need to know how many will be returning for enrollment in RISD and which of the learning environments will be right for them,” Stone said.
The district will also look to TEA and CDC guidelines for how to best maximize its available space for safe learning, Stone said.
