Santa Cruz County schools plan to begin hybrid in-person learning in January

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION) Santa Cruz County schools plan expand in-person learning soon.

The Office of Education said expects county schools to move to hybrid in-person instruction starting in January 2021, and it will be hosting a virtual press conference Monday to discuss criteria for reopening and plans for the future.

"We know that distance learning has been a tremendous challenge for families," said Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Faris Sabbah. "School district and charter school leaders are eager to bring back in-person instructional programs to the fullest extent possible; however the safety and well-being of students, educators and families are paramount as we make decisions to return to in-person instruction. Schools represent a critical cornerstone in the community, and it is with this in mind that educators are working aggressively to create safe spaces for students and staff to return to in-person instruction."

Two of the factors the Office of Education said it will use as criteria for opening in-person are readiness systems and health conditions. Readiness systems includes surveillance testing, environment reviews, contact tracing and support of school communities, while health conditions include county risk level, epidemiological conditions and outbreaks.

If the criteria is met, the Office of Education hopes to move to hybrid in-person learning in January.

The virtual press conference will be held on Nov. 2 at 3 p.m., and a link to it can be found here.