Cloverleaf Schools trying out 'in-person remote learning'

WESTFIELD TWP. — A new approach to getting students back into Cloverleaf Schools buildings is set to begin next week. Starting Wednesday, roughly 160 students who opted into an "in-person remote learning" program earlier this month will continue their online curriculum in Cloverleaf buildings. That will take place under the supervision of non-teaching district staff using classroom space as well as larger areas like a library, Superintendent Daryl Kubilus said. "I've talked to a lot of parents who've expressed concerns about remote learning," Kubilus said. "Those have been talks about the social isolation aspect of remote learning as well as how it plays into work schedules and childcare costs. We wanted to come up with a way to help them while still keeping our kids safe." A 10-day opt-in window for in-person remote learning was provided this month. There was no cap during that period on how many students could sign up, but Kubilus said there are no current plans to reopen enrollment. There are 122 elementary school students signed up along with 29 from Cloverleaf Middle School and 13 from Cloverleaf High School. In-person remote students' days will include transportation by bus as well as breakfast and lunch service. Kubilus said further details of scheduling are still being worked out. "It's not just going to be kids sitting in front of a computer screen in one place the whole day," he said. "We're going to figure out how to break up the day for them. Our building principals are also going to be working with our staff members who will be supervising to get things set up in a way that works best for everyone." Kubilus also reiterated a goal for all Cloverleaf students to return to full-time, in-person learning Tuesday, Jan. 19, but that date is not set in stone. An agreement between the district and teachers association states that in-person classes cannot resume until Medina County's COVID-19 outbreak level is back down to Level 2-orange. Cloverleaf announced an immediate move to full remote learning following the county's designation as a Level 3-red county in November. "I believe there is a recognition by the board of education and teachers that our knowledge of the virus, combined with our knowledge of how to run school during the virus, is different today than it was in August," Kubilus said. "While I am working with the board and our teachers on a date to return to regular school that would not require us to wait until the county returned to 'orange,' I don't have that date as of today." Talks between administrators and staff regarding possible changes to that return policy are ongoing, Kubilus said. He also pointed to newly announced state guidelines that will no longer require a COVID-19-exposed student or staff member to quarantine at home unless masking and social distancing isn't possible in school. "We've had five meetings so far and a sixth one is coming up here very soon," Kubilus said about talks with staff. "Ultimately, everyone's goal is to get our kids back into our buildings. That's what everyone wants." Statewide changes were announced Wednesday by Gov. Mike DeWine and Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, chief medical officer with the Ohio Department of Health. Vanderhoff said a series of studies carried out in November and December in seven Ohio school districts support this move. This represents a departure from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention policy, which still calls for any exposed student or staff member to quarantine for two weeks at home. Changes will not affect extracurriculars, where participants who become exposed to COVID-19 must still adhere to previous quarantine requirements. Contact reporter Jonathan Delozier at (330)721-4050 or jdelozier@medina-gazette.com.