With a backdrop of what Gov. Gina Raimondo called a “primarily good news” environment in Rhode Island in terms of coronavirus cases, the governor said all school districts in the state, except two, should be able to go back to full in-person learning by Sept. 14 “and that is what we expect you will do.”
Raimondo, however, almost immediately added a caveat at her briefing on Monday, Aug. 31, stating that most likely school districts will “ease into” in-person learning “to work out the kinks.”
The Block Island School, based on the recommendations of Supt. Mike Convery, Principal Kristine Monje and teachers, will do just that, noting, as Monje said, “there is anxiety on the part of the staff.”
Convery and Monje presented the plan to the School Committee on Tuesday, Sept. 1, which was approved 4-0 by the members of the committee. (Member Kara Stinnett did not attend the meeting.)
Convery described the beginning of school as a “gradual reopening” with students in grades kindergarten through grade eight starting in-person learning on Sept. 14, with high school students distance learning for the first week and coming back to school starting Sept. 21.
Convery said there are a
