So, I had not heard a single plan for reopening schools that addresses the realities of both parents and teachers and also keeps kids safe. Until today. It is FAR from ideal, but it sounds to me like it COULD work and we could start planning for today. Here are the basics:

So, essentially, the teaching and learning is 100% virtual. However, school buildings are open for students who need a physical space to be because parents/caregivers are not able to be home with them. This is a reality and we can't ignore it.

Adults who are able to, are in the building to essentially provide a space for that virtual learning. Some of these adults are teachers, but other adults can also be hired (perhaps partnering with park districts) so that kids can work throughout the day in consistent small pods.

All spaces in the building would be utilized for virtual learning and kids would also get frequent breaks outside and time for play within their spaces. Teachers are only responsible for the remote learning and they can do that from home or from within school spaces.

In addition, services can be offered in person such as special ed, interventions, social work, etc. when those adults are able to be in the building. Otherwise, they could be offered remotely as well, but managed within the building for students who are there.

The hope is that for families who can keep kids at home, they will, which will reduce the number of children within the building. But all kids are getting the same teaching and teachers are not asked to do two full time jobs.

It also allows for the students who need in-person services to still be able to get them while allowing flexibility for teachers and for families.

Again, there are still many things that are not perfect, but it is truly the very first thing that I heard that sounds at all doable and that we can actually start to plan for now. I saw mention of it online and sadly I cannot now remember where or who mentioned it.

But it feels like something to build on. Again, I know there is A LOT still wrong with it and, yes, it still puts teachers and kids at risk, but at this point it feels like our only choice is to think of how to minimize the risk knowing that there are really awful realities.

Just to be clear, this is NOT a specific plan for a district. I read it in @Maire_from_NJ's tweet seen below https://twitter.com/Maire_from_NJ/status/1279776329848758273

She is brilliant and this is what got me thinking and led to this thread. So those asking for which district this is from, my answer is that it is from the brilliant mind of @Maire_from_NJ! You can thank her.