Royal schools to open with part-time on campus instruction

ROYAL CITY — Parents in the Royal School District will have their choice of sending their children to school online or half-time online and half-time in-person instruction. The Royal School Board approved a reopening plan that includes both those options on a 5-0 vote at a special board meeting Aug. 13.

“We will be opening for school,” said board chair Craig Jannett. School starts Aug. 28.

State officials ordered schools closed in March as one of the measures to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. What was supposed to be a temporary closure was extended through the end of the school year, and school officials statewide have been reviewing their options for reopening for fall.

Royal officials have opted for two days each week on campus and two days each week online. Students will alternate on Fridays, with one group receiving in-person instruction for a half-day on one Friday, and the other group on campus for the half-day the next Friday.

Students will attend school either Monday and Wednesday, or Tuesday and Thursday. As far as possible, district officials will keep kids in the same family on the same schedule, according to the draft plan released Aug. 11.

Parents also have the option of all-online instruction. Parents who choose the Royal Virtual Academy will be asked to commit to regular communication with teachers and supervising children to make sure they stay current on schoolwork. A signup form is available on the Royal schools website.

Superintendent Roger Trail said in an earlier interview that students and teachers should be prepared to switch to online learning if the spread of the coronavirus makes that necessary. The district provided all Royal students with a computer when school buildings were closed in March. The district also is providing hot spots for families that don’t have a reliable internet connection.

In a presentation to the school board, Trail said Red Rock Elementary students will eat lunch in the classroom. Royal Intermediate School students will eat lunch in the gym or outside, depending on the weather. Royal High School and Royal Middle School students will have a staggered lunch schedule. Students will pick up their meals for the next day before they leave school.

Students who live within the Royal City limits will be encouraged to walk to school. Parents driving their kids to school will be asked to stay in the vehicle. Students who ride the bus and bus drivers will be required to wear masks.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached at education@columbiabasinherald.com.