OCPS medical advisory committee recommends opening face-to-face learning, possibly with staggered start by grade level

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Orange County Public Schools medical advisory committee recommended that schools reopen for face-to-face learning as scheduled next Friday. But, they said, maybe all grade levels shouldn’t go back at once.

The committee members met with the Orange County School Board and discussed slowly phasing students back in to school instead of all at once. The committee recommended the youngest students returning to classrooms first.

The chair of the committee is drafting a written recommendation to the school board with an emphasis on the need to contact trace and test for COVID-19. The committee also said schools should require mandatory masks for students, teachers and staff, and offer personl protective equipment training.

READ: If child comes down with COVID-19 at school ‘everybody’s at risk,’ local doctor says

The school board scheduled a special meeting for Monday to discuss the recommendation.

While these groups discussed ways to transition in for face-to-face learning, the teacher’s union and the school district headed to court.

READ: 9 ways to make virtual school easier on your family

Video: OCPS medical advisory committee to meet Two big meetings are happening Friday as Orange County students are expected to start face-to-face learning next week.

Cox Media Group