He said the students are pleased because they are in a safe environment and have more time to submit assignments.
He added that public schools are also open for face-to-face classes, but with a maximum of 10 students only per class to comply with the Covid-19 social distancing and other directives.
PSS may increase this maximum capacity to 15 students per classroom, he said.
The commissioner said he will meet first with principals to discuss student attendance, which will determine a “clearer path moving forward.”
Meanwhile, teachers have been reaching out to their students who do not attend face-to-face classes while PSS continues with online learning.
PSS is likewise considering the implementation of a “blend of face-to-face instruction and remote learning” in January, Ada said.
PSS must consider the sentiments of parents who may not want their children to attend face-to-face classes, Ada also said.
So far, there have been mixed responses from parents about allowing their children to return to the traditional full-day schedule, Ada said.
“The beauty of [remote learning} is that [the students] are being responsible…. And if they are not, then that is when teachers reach out to parents and principals, and we try to work with students and their parents on a case-by-case basis. We’re going to make it work,” Ada said.
