There is no easy answer to the return-to-school debate

by KATIE SPONAUGLE

Managing editor

Parental concerns, difficulties with online classes, and the health risks make the return-to-school debate highly controversial and nearly impossible to resolve. With the exception of certain groups of younger children and students with special needs, the majority of students in Fairfax County still remain in the same online learning setting that they began the school year in.

FCPS was planning to expand the transition to in-person learning with the return of 6,800 early HeadStart, Pre-K, and Kindergarten students on Nov. 17. However, just a day before this set date, Superintendent Dr. Scott Braband released a message delaying the expansion of in-person instruction due to the worsening coronavirus health metrics.

“Currently, FCPS Groups 1-3 are receiving in person instruction as well as some concurrent instruction pilot schools. Groups 1-3 include some career and preparatory programs, as well as students who receive specialized services...However, Group 3 was pulled back from in-person instruction on Monday, Dec. 14,” said FCPS school board chair and Mason District representative Dr. Ricardy Anderson.

While many FCPS families hope for an imminent return to school, the number of COVID-19 cases in Fairfax County surges out of control. The current COVID-19 health metrics for Fairfax County currently exceed the thresholds set for the expansion of in-person learning.

FCPS has been using two core health indicators, suggested by the CDC, to guide its decisions about in-person instruction. These include the total number of COVID cases per 100,000 county residents over the last 14 days and the percentage of positive COVID tests over seven consecutive days. For Group 3 to remain in-person, the positivity rate must not exceed 10 percent. On Saturday, Dec. 12, FCPS reached seven consecutive days in which the percent positivity exceeded our 10 percent threshold, and as a result, Group 3 is returning to virtual instruction.

As of Dec. 17, the number of cases per 100k residents was 536.7 and the percentage of positive COVID-19 tests was 11.2%.

Critics of FCPS’ decision to delay the expansion of in-person schools argue that Fairfax County can and should reopen schools safely. Those who urge for students to return to in-person learning maintain that online learning is incredibly difficult and frustrating for many students and subpar to the education they would receive face-to-face.

In-person school is the best option for students, but only when it is safe. School provides much more than just academics to children and adolescents. Students also gain social and emotional skills, get exercise, and have access to services that cannot be provided with online learning, including mental health support services and meal assistance services. That is why those groups of students that absolutely need to be in school, such as students with disabilities, are currently in school.

Sending children and teachers back to school in-person while the pandemic is still raging would result in a number of deaths and serious health effects. Parent and student frustrations are completely understandable and valid, but the prioritization of optimal learning environments over the health and safety of the community would be a mistake.

While COVID-19 school policies that limit student and staff interactions can reduce risk, they will not prevent the spread of the disease.

Anderson spoke about how schools are adhering to CDC guidelines for COVID-19 prevention. “A daily health screening is required for all students who are attending in-school instruction. Parents or guardians must complete the health screening each day, before sending their student to school. Temperature checks are being done before students enter the school building, and in some cases, before students board a school bus. We have created safety teams who are helping the school district monitor each schools’ adherence to five key mitigation strategies, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates will keep school transmission low, even while community transmission remains high,” said Anderson.

The decision to return to in-person school full time, even at a limited capacity, would be an irresponsible one at the moment. The current number of COVID-19 cases per 100k residents and percentage of positive COVID tests is well above the number deemed safe to return to school.

While online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic may be inconvenient and incredibly frustrating for students and staff, it is absolutely necessary to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Whatever form school takes, it is vital that all of the FCPS community do their part to ensure that it is healthy, safe and equitable for all students, staff and families.

FCPS is planning to resume the gradual phased return of students in January of 2021. This includes the start of a hybrid mix of in-person and online learning for elementary, middle, and high school students.

should athletes return to winter sports?

by GRACE MARTIN

News editor

Fairfax County has made the decision to proceed with winter sports, as tryouts began during the first few weeks of December. The county is excited to allow these students to return to sports, while still placing precautions and enforcing guidelines during the COVID pandemic.

The debate surrounding the safety of winter sports is controversial. Numerous people believe that students should be able to participate in sports with safety measures set in place, while others believe that the overall occurrence of winter sports is unsafe due to the current COVID-19 health metrics in Fairfax County.

Allowing students to participate in sports can and should proceed, which then places responsibility on the county and schools to be very strict on enforcing the necessary safety guidelines and for students to make safe decisions outside of school sports.

However, many people believe that participating in sports is unsafe during the current COVID-19 pandemic. As of Dec. 17, the U.S.reached over 17 million cases of COVID-19 and Fairfax County reached around 37,600 cases, according to data collected by the New York Times. Due to the recent increase in positive cases, FCPS recently sent another group of students, Group 3, back to virtual learning, as they have reached seven consecutive days in which the percentage of positive coronavirus cases has exceeded the 10% threshold. People across the county doubt that the FCPS will be able to keep student athletes safe during the winter season.

There is hesitation related to the return to sports is justified. However, safety guidelines, precautions, and facts provide clarity on why FCPS has decided to proceed with the start of winter sports. The county has implemented guidelines across all sports to aid in COVID-19 prevention, including rule changes and restrictions specific to each sport. For example, basketball games will no longer begin with a tip-off, but instead will be replaced with alternating possession between quarters. The procedures for the swim and dive team include student-athletes wearing masks at all times, except for when in the water, and have limits on how many people can be in the pool or in lines for the diving boards.

Brian Garvey, the Director of Student Activities at Justice High School said, “We have worked very hard to put protocols and procedures in place to keep students safe. This is a collective effort though. We can ensure safe protocols while at practice and games, but our athletes need to do their part while at home and out in the community.”

The county has worked diligently to make sure athletes and coaches will be as safe as possible, dedicating a great amount of time into restructuring athletic procedures and creating committees to work on the specifics of each sport’s guidelines. Justice’s Head Swim And Dive Coach Pat McAndrews, said “I was a part of a swim and dive coaches association sub committee tasked with creating our sport specific safety protocols and I think we came up with a fantastic plan to allow for competition while putting our athletes at the minimalist risk of exposure.”

Current statistics support the county’s decision. As presented at the school board meeting on Thursday, Dec. 10, approximately 3% of the 12,104 in-person students and staff have tested positive for COVID-19. Out of that 3%, student athletes and athletic staff have the lowest estimated percent of coronavirus cases. Student athletes encompass 0.2% of positive cases and athletic staff include an estimated 0.5% of those tested positive. It should be noted that these statistics are from all outdoor athletic activities, and winter sports are all indoors, excluding outdoor track practices.

Sports are incredibly important to students, especially now. The coronavirus has affected the way people live and interact with one another. Winter sports will be an opportunity for students to exercise, get a change of scenery, and to safely interact with peers and coaches.

Many students and coaches are eager for winter sports to begin. Eldana Ephrem, a junior at Justice High School and member of the varsity girl’s basketball team, said “I’m very excited and happy that we have the opportunity to play all together under these circumstances.” Justice’s Varsity Dive Coach Sydney Shelton also expressed her enthusiasm by saying “ I am excited to see my athletes again. I have not been able to see my students or athletes in person since March. The school knows how important school sports are to students, especially when people have not been able to participate in as many activities due to COVID-19.”

There are also many student athletes concerned with the risks posed by returning to sports. Michael Hitchcock, a junior at Justice High School who is on the varsity swim and dive team, said “I’m super excited to be competing again! However, I’m actually really nervous about going back to sports. I’ve heard that COVID-19 cases are spiking when other schools in the country have continued sports and I don’t want to get COVID or give it to my family.” Jillian Caughey, a senior on the varsity winter track team, said, “I’m a little apprehensive about returning to sports. I’m excited to see everyone again, but I don’t want to get sick.” However, Caughey also said, “At track green days, the coaches have done a great job in my opinion of keeping the groups small, distanced, and safe.”

FCPS has also implemented specific protocols if someone were to test positive for COVID-19. “Should a coach, the school, or the office become aware of a positive test, we immediately report it to a specific group of people in the central office. They communicate with the Virginia Department of Health. They then determine where we go from there. We would pause any activity for the involved team until given guidance to proceed,” said Garvey.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is an increasingly difficult situation. The changing course of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in altered plans for the 2020-2021 school year. Everyone’s personal decision on whether or not they will participate in sports this year should be respected. Sports are very valuable to students, as they provide exercise and social interaction. FCPS officials, staff, and coaches have worked tirelessly to ensure that those participating in winter sports will face minimal risks. Despite the unusual circumstances surrounding this school year, the winter sports season is slated to run smoothly, as long as safety guidelines are enforced and followed correctly.