Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
California Governor Gavin Newsom launched the "Safe Schools for All" program, which will provide a $2 billion budget to support various safety measures so that schools can reopen for learning in person this spring.
The budget represents providing a one-time payment of 450 per student to school districts offering in-person instruction to help cover additional costs related to the virus, such as testing and purchasing protective equipment for teachers, primarily mouth guards.
"As a parent of four children, I know firsthand what parents, educators and pediatricians continue to say: in person is the best environment to meet not only the learning needs, but the mental health and social-emotional needs of our children," Gov. Newsom said in a statement.
"My administration focuses on getting students back into the classroom in a way that cares for the health of students and teachers. By taking a phased approach with virus mitigation and prevention, we can get our children back into school to support learning needs and restore the benefits of in-person instruction," he added.
It should be noted that the administration's strategy focuses on ensuring implementation and building confidence by bringing back the youngest children - TK-2 - and then gradually at other grade levels during the spring.
This statement recognizes that younger children are at less risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19, although distance education will also continue to be an option for parents and students who prefer it and for those whose health condition does not allow them to return to school in the short term.
Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino), chair of the Senate Education Committee, said it is "a step forward in ensuring that all children, regardless of where they live or are enrolled in school, have the ability to receive quality instruction in California.
Assemblyman Patrick O'Donnell, D-Long Beach, and chair of the Assembly's Education Committee, added that providing in-person instruction to as many California students as safely and quickly as possible should be a team effort.
"We agree that, even during a global pandemic, learning is non-negotiable and students learn best when they can be taught in school safely. The Governor's plan is a first step toward reopening schools safely and I look forward to continuing discussions with him and the Legislature on this critical issue," he said.
