Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
California Governor Gavin Newsom launched the "Safe State Schools for All" program through which a $2 billion budget will be allocated to support various security measures so that schools can reopen for in-person learning this spring.
The budget represents providing a one-time payment of 450 per student to school districts that offer face-to-face instruction to help cover additional virus-related costs, such as testing and purchasing protective equipment for teaching staff, primarily face shields.
"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," Governor Newsom said in a statement.
"My administration is focused on getting students back into the classroom in a way that takes care of the health of students and teachers. By having a phased approach with virus mitigation and prevention, we can return our children to school to support learning needs and restore the benefits of in-person instruction," he added.
It should be noted that the administration's strategy is focused 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 lower risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19, although distance education will also remain an option for parents and students who prefer it and for those whose health status does not allow them to return to school in the short term.
Sen. Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino), chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee, said this 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 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 safely receive instruction in school. The Governor's plan is a first step toward safely reopening schools and I look forward to continued discussions with him and the Legislature on this critical issue," he said.
