By Kelley Sussman
Executive Opinion Editor
On March 13, 2020, schools across the country were shut down due to COVID-19, and since then, all Costa classes has been mostly online. On Feb. 22, the Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD) released the news of possibly returning 7th-12th graders back to school in a newsletter. Students need more social interaction and returning to school would solve this issue.
The newsletter stated that Costa and Manhattan Beach Middle School (MBMS) could return to school as early as Monday, which would be the week before spring break. Students willing to return should have the opportunity, and it should serve as a test run for when all students are able to return.
In a recent survey issued by MBUSD Superintendant Dr. Mike Matthews asking parents about returning to school in the spring, 68 percent of parents said that their student wants to return to in-person learning this spring, and 76 percent of parents said that they are planning to have their child return to school this spring. The survey results also stated that 84 percent of parents said that their child was not planning on going out of state during spring break. Students and parents are fighting to be back in classrooms, which will prove to be beneficial to student learning and mental health.
Matthews also stated in the newsletter that there will be an increase in the amount of certified substitutes and ground supervisors, providing more safety for everyone. Since more than half of Costa students want to return, it should be allowed, especially with the safety protocols put in place.
Due to COVID-19, returning to school would not look the same as it did prior to the pandemic. According to the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF), the right protocol includes masking, social distancing, establishing small stable cohorts and good ventilation. Using the right protocol, students and teachers will be able to return to school safely. Social distancing will take place and only a limited amount of students will be allowed in each class, according Matthews. Even though nothing has been made permanent, students will most likely go to school for half a day, according to Matthews. Students should be allowed back in classrooms with the new protocols.
However, since spring break is approaching quickly, Monday’s return should serve as a test run for students and teachers. It should supply more information for the whole community and if everything goes well, students should be able to return to classrooms after spring break if they did not travel.
For the students who are traveling during spring break, a quarantine should be required to ensure safety for others. It is time for students to return to campus, and Monday seems like the best day.
Costa should allow students to come back on campus to receive proper instruction in a classroom setting, as it will be safe and beneficial for students as well as teachers and staff members.
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