LAUSD kids might go back to campuses in April. A teacher and a parent weigh in

One LAUSD elementary school playground in Culver City remains empty as students continue learning at home during the pandemic, March 1, 2021. However, on March 11, 2021, the LAUSD board voted unanimously on a tentative deal with the teachers union to reopen schools in April.

One LAUSD elementary school playground in Culver City remains empty as students continue learning at home during the pandemic, March 1, 2021. However, on March 11, 2021, the LAUSD board voted unanimously on a tentative deal with the teachers union to reopen schools in April. Photo by Amy Ta/KCRW

On Thursday, the LAUSD board voted unanimously on a tentative deal with the teachers union (UTLA) to reopen elementary schools in mid-April and middle and high schools in late April. Rank-and-file teachers are to vote on the plan next week.

The tentative agreement says pre-schoolers would be able to return for a full day of in-person instruction. Elementary students would be able to return for half-days, using a hybrid of in-person plus remote learning. Middle and high school students would return to classrooms but take online courses there, and in-person instruction would happen only when seeing their advisors.

KCRW talks with Mark Gozonsky, a high school English teacher in downtown LA, and Ghazal Yashouafar, an attorney and parent of three kids who are in seventh grade, fifth grade, and second grade.

From this Episode:

Credits

Host:

Madeleine Brand

Producers:

Sarah Sweeney, Angie Perrin, Michell Eloy, Amy Ta, Rosalie Atkinson, Brian Hardzinski, Bennett Purser