MBUSD virtual board meeting discloses plans on hybrid learning

The MBUSD Board reviews their goals for the 2020-2021 school year as it relates to distance learning. They hope that the district can continue to provide a healthy learning environment amidst all of the changes this year. Photo courtesy of the MBUSD Board.

By: Ella Davis

Staff Writer

The Manhattan Beach Unified School District Board held a meeting on Sept. 9 where they revealed information regarding the progression of the 2020-2021 school year in times of COVID-19. During this virtual meeting, members of the board discussed the district’s plans to go back to school and general guidelines for schooling during the pandemic.

MBUSD board members discussed the phases in going back to school, from Phase 1, which is distance learning, to Phase 5, which is a full return to school. Currently, MBUSD schools are in Phase 1, and the next step, once permitted, is hybrid learning. During hybrid teaching, small cohorts of students will attend school at a given time.

“The state issued the order about being able to bring back our students with IEPs and our EL students into classes. In talking to our health department, they’re focusing their efforts not on the elementary waiver process right now, but on the implementation of [the] high knee hybrid [process],” Superintendent Dr. Mike Matthews said.

Hybrid learning is looking more like a feasible reality going forward with the school year. However, firm protocols will be set in place to protect the health and safety of both students and teachers. According to the MBUSD guidelines, the number of students on campus at any one time cannot exceed 10% of the total student body if a return to school is to happen.

“In talking to about five other districts over the past two days, what I have learned is that some are looking at starting late September, some are looking at mid-October,” Assistant Superintendent Irene Gonzalez-Castillo said.

A major topic of this meeting was addressing the negative aspects of distance learning and working to enforce positive improvements as the district moves into hybrid learning environments. MBUSD members are currently working to implement “pupil learning loss strategies” as well as “actions to address learning loss.” MBUSD hopes that schooling can continue to benefit students even if it is virtual.

“We also have to take a look at which services we’ve been actually successful in delivering through distance learning that we can continue to do so in a hybrid model. We also need to take a look at the cohort model because we are limited to having twelve students to adults in a small group situation,” Gonzalez-Castillo said.

In moving forward with the 2020-2021 school year, MBUSD prioritizes a safe environment for students and teachers, as well as a promising school year that will benefit the students. In the coming months, there will be more updates on the high need hybrid learning process and any other changes.

“We’re trying to help and trying to support our teachers who want to do the right thing,” Matthews said, “and this is all new, so we’re doing our best to support everybody.”