Cincinnati Public Schools will no longer shift to blended learning as planned after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Hamilton County was coded "red" for very high exposure and spread in the state's updated new coronavirus heat map.
School Board member Mike Moroski announced the change Thursday evening in a Tweet.
"Cincinnati Public Schools will remain virtual and not shift to blended learning on Monday due to Hamilton County's 'red' status," he wrote.
CPS communications officer Frances Russ later confirmed the district's intention to remain in a distanced learning model.
“While we are extremely disappointed to have to make this decision, the right choice in this moment is to continue in our distance-learning model,” Superintendent Laura Mitchell said in the release. “We have said since spring that we would use data to guide decisions, and that the health and safety of our students and staff is our No. 1 priority. As a large urban district, our families are more likely to be negatively impacted by the virus. In addition, with 36,000 students and 6,000 staff, the decisions we make exponentially impact the entire Cincinnati community.”
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According to CPS policy, Hamilton County's designation as a "red" or "purple" state on that map is one of four points the district would use to determine whether classes should switch back to a fully distanced model.
The other data points determining the district's decisions include a sustained daily increase in local new confirmed cases, a positivity testing rate that is more than 5% and an increase in the length of time it takes to get COVID-19 test results.
"We will shift to distance learning should the health situation deteriorate and based on the data," the district's policy states.
The district had planned to begin in-person classes on Monday in a blended learning model, with the exception of Walnut Hills High School remaining remote.
“This decision is in line with CPS’ guiding principles regarding the return to school amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with safety as the primary driving factor,” a CPS release said.
More: Walnut Hills High to continue all distance learning as other CPS schools open classrooms
The heat map was updated Thursday and displayed 11 of Ohio's 88 counties coded as "red," including Hamilton, Clermont and Butler counties. These ratings are based on various indicators including new cases per capita, sustained increase in new cases and regional intensive care unit bed occupancy.
"We have 11 red counties, which is more than we’ve seen at any point in September," DeWine said. "Although many Ohioans are working hard to keep this virus in check, unfortunately, we are seeing a rebound in some areas of the state. This pandemic isn't over, so please continue to stay home if you're sick, wear a mask when you're out, and keep at least six feet between you and those outside of your household."
According to Thursday's release, the CPS Board of Education will discuss the current health situation, longer-term recommendations and athletics at its next meeting, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday.
Any changes to the district's athletics schedule will be communicated to families directly.
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The Link LonkOctober 02, 2020 at 04:18AM
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2020/10/01/cps-not-shift-blended-learning-after-hamilton-county-appears-red-covid-19-heat-map/5886393002/
CPS will not shift to blended learning after Hamilton County appears 'red' on COVID-19 heat map - The Cincinnati Enquirer
https://news.google.com/search?q=Red&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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