Name: Gov. Reynolds' proclamation could force changes to 'Return to Learn' plans
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Gov. Reynolds' proclamation could force changes to 'Return to Learn' plans

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AdvertisementGov. Reynolds' proclamation could force changes to 'Return to Learn' plansHide TranscriptShow TranscriptDOWN TO 89 DEGREES. STACEY: THANK YOU. NEW TONIGHT, SOME IOWA SCHOOLS ARE HAVING TO CHANGE THEIR PLANS FOR THE FALL TO FOLLOW NEW RULES PUT OUT TODAY BY THE GOVERNOR. STEVE: GOVERNOR REYNOLDS PROCLAMATION COMES AFTER SCHOOL DISTRICTS WERE REQUIRED TO FINALIZE THEIR RETURN TO LEARN PLANS. SHE RECOMMENDS IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION, BUT ALLOWS FOR REMOTE LEARNING UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. STACEY: THE CONDITIONS INCLUDE PARENTAL CONSENT, SCHOOL CLOSURES, AND IF THE REMOTE LEARNING IS TEMPORARY. SO IF FAMILIES DECIDE THAT ONLINE LEARNING WORKS BEST FOR THEM, SCHOOLS CAN ALLOW THOSE STUDENTS TO TAKE THEIR CLASSES ONLINE THE GOVERNOR SAYS PUBLIC HEALTH CONDITIONS AND INCLEMENT WEATHER ARE ALSO ALLOWABLE ONLINE LEARNING-ONLY CONDITIONS. THIS PROCLAMATION WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON STUDENTS, PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS. STEVE: KCCI’S CHRIS GOTHNER AND MARCUS MCINTOSH HAVE REACTION TONIGHT FROM ALL OF THE STAKEHOLDERS. WE START WITH CHRIS WHO SPOKE WITH PARENTS CHRIS: STEVE, STACEY, A LOT OF PARENTS ARE CHIMING IN ON THIS TODAY. SOME LIKE WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS DOING. OTHERS ARE SAYING NO WAY. GOV. REYNOLDS: SCHOOLS MUST PRIORITIZE IN-PERSON LEARNING FOR CORE ACADEMIC SUBJECTS. CHRIS: SPEAKING AT THE VAN METER’S SCHOOL, GOVERNOR REYNOLDS ANNOUNCED THAT DISTRICTS WILL HAVE TO DO AT LEAST HALF THEIR LEARNING IN PERSON THIS YEAR. DISTRICTS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE FULLY OR MOSTLY-ONLINE WITHOUT STATE APPROVAL. THE GOVERNOR SAYS IT’S IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS’ OVERALL WELL-BEING, PHYSICALLY, SOCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY. MOM HEATHER BYERS SUPPORTS THE MOVE. SHE HAS TWO KIDS IN THE SOUTHEAST POLK DISTRICT. SHE SAYS HER SON, IN PARTICULAR, NEEDS TO BE BACK IN THE CLASSROOM. HE HAS SPECIAL NEEDS AND REQUIRES A FULL-TIME AIDE. &gt;&gt; UNLESS THE AIDE IS GOING TO COME TO OUR HOUSE, IT’S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO GET ANYTHING DONE VIRTUALLY. HE CAN SPEND FIVE HOURS AVOIDING WORK THAT TAKES 20 MINUTES. WHEN HE’S AT HOME AND WE’RE BOTH WORKING, WE CAN’T BE SITTING DOWN AT THE KITCHEN TABLE WITH HIM WORKING ON ALL OF THOSE THINGS. CHRIS: BUT, CECILIA HAMMOND ISN’T A FAN. HER DAUGHTER, ADDISON, TURNS EIGHT SOON. AND EVEN THOUGH SHE’S CHOSEN TO HAVE ADDISON LEARN VIRTUALLY BECAUSE OF HEALTH CONCERNS, SHE SAYS SHE WORRIES ABOUT THE HEALTH OF OTHER KIDS AND THEIR TEACHERS. &gt;&gt; I DON’T THINK IT SHOULD BE UP TO HER. I THINK IT SHOULD BE UP TO THE DISTRICTS. THE DISTRICTS KNOW THEIR STUDENTS. THE DISTRICTS KNOW WHO THEY HAVE AS THEIR TEACHER CHRIS: AND THOSE WERE JUST SOME OF THE THOUGHTS WE HEARD ON THIS FROM PARENTS. I ALSO SPOKE TO THE HEAD OF THE STATE’S MAIN TEACHERS UNIO HE SAYS THE GUIDANCE DID NOTHING TO CLEAR UP TEACHERS’ CONCERNS, ONLY EXACERBATED THEM AS IT WERE. THEY’RE CONCERNED IT TIES DISTRICTS’ HANDS AND TAKES AWAY THEIR ABILITY TO MAKE THEAdvertisementGov. Reynolds' proclamation could force changes to 'Return to Learn' plansSome Iowa schools must change their “Return to Learn” plans following a proclamation from Gov. Kim Reynolds.On Friday, Reynolds signed a proclamation that states in-person instruction is the presumed method of instruction for Iowa students and that remote learning only allowed under certain conditions.The decision means school districts will not be able to hold classes fully or mostly-online without state approval. Read the full proclamation here.Reynolds' proclamation comes weeks after districts were required to finalize their return to learn plans and following calls from President Donald Trump for the reopening of schools across the country.“One of the most important milestones in our recovery effort is getting Iowa students back to school, and while we all know the school year will be different than it’s ever been before, it’s critical that we prioritize bringing back to the classroom safely and responsibly,” Reynolds said during a news conference in Van Meter.Reynolds said in-person learning is important for students' overall well-being physically, socially and emotionally.Heather Byers, mother of two children in the Southeast Polk Community School District, supports Reynolds’ proclamation.Byres said in-person classes are essential for her son, who has special needs and requires a full-time aide.“Unless the aide is gonna come to our house, it's almost impossible for him to get anything done virtually,” Byres said. “He can spend five hours avoiding work that takes 20 minutes.”Des Moines parent Cecilia Hammond chose to enroll her 7-year-old daughter Addison in virtual learning.Despite the decision, she said she worries that the governor’s proclamation puts other students and teachers at risk.“I don't think it should be up to (Reynolds),” Hammond said. “I think it should be up to the districts. The districts know their students. The districts know who they have as their teachers.”There is already some dispute over this provision, as some Iowa Democratic lawmakers tweeted that this is not what they passed.Rep. Ras Smith, the ranking Member of House Education Committee, shared the following statement on Reynolds’ proclamation:“In the same hour that Iowa hit a record 879 new positive cases, Governor Reynolds added more uncertainty and confusion for thousands of parents, teachers, and students across Iowa. Instead of trusting school leaders and local public health officials who know what’s best for their community to reduce the spread, the Governor created more hoops and delays that will make the job our educators on the frontlines face even more difficult.“The Governor should have released plans today to help reduce the spread, like robust testing in schools to prevent outbreaks, giving schools additional resources to deal with the pandemic, and guaranteeing local schools have the PPE necessary to keep everyone safe. One thing is crystal clear: Reynolds has repeatedly failed to provide the guidance and leadership needed in these critical times to control the spread of this virus and help kids get back to school safely.”Reynolds said the proclamation will direct state agencies and school districts to safely welcome students back into schools.Some Iowa schools must change their “Return to Learn” plans following a proclamation from Gov. Kim Reynolds.On Friday, Reynolds signed a proclamation that states in-person instruction is the presumed method of instruction for Iowa students and that remote learning only allowed under certain conditions.AdvertisementThe decision means school districts will not be able to hold classes fully or mostly-online without state approval. Read the .Reynolds' proclamation comes weeks after districts were required to finalize their return to learn plans and following calls from President Donald Trump for the reopening of schools across the country.“One of the most important milestones in our recovery effort is getting Iowa students back to school, and while we all know the school year will be different than it’s ever been before, it’s critical that we prioritize bringing back to the classroom safely and responsibly,” Reynolds said during a news conference in Van Meter.Reynolds said in-person learning is important for students' overall well-being physically, socially and emotionally.Heather Byers, mother of two children in the Southeast Polk Community School District, supports Reynolds’ proclamation.Byres said in-person classes are essential for her son, who has special needs and requires a full-time aide.“Unless the aide is gonna come to our house, it's almost impossible for him to get anything done virtually,” Byres said. “He can spend five hours avoiding work that takes 20 minutes.”Des Moines parent Cecilia Hammond chose to enroll her 7-year-old daughter Addison in virtual learning.Despite the decision, she said she worries that the governor’s proclamation puts other students and teachers at risk.“I don't think it should be up to (Reynolds),” Hammond said. “I think it should be up to the districts. The districts know their students. The districts know who they have as their teachers.”There is already some dispute over this provision, as some Iowa Democratic lawmakers tweeted that this is not what they passed.Rep. Ras Smith, the ranking Member of House Education Committee, shared the following statement on Reynolds’ proclamation:“In the same hour that Iowa hit a record 879 new positive cases, Governor Reynolds added more uncertainty and confusion for thousands of parents, teachers, and students across Iowa. Instead of trusting school leaders and local public health officials who know what’s best for their community to reduce the spread, the Governor created more hoops and delays that will make the job our educators on the frontlines face even more difficult.“The Governor should have released plans today to help reduce the spread, like robust testing in schools to prevent outbreaks, giving schools additional resources to deal with the pandemic, and guaranteeing local schools have the PPE necessary to keep everyone safe. One thing is crystal clear: Reynolds has repeatedly failed to provide the guidance and leadership needed in these critical times to control the spread of this virus and help kids get back to school safely.”Reynolds said the proclamation will direct state agencies and school districts to safely welcome students back into schools.Loading more articles...

AdvertisementGov. Reynolds' proclamation could force changes to 'Return to Learn' plansHide TranscriptShow TranscriptDOWN TO 89 DEGREES. STACEY: THANK YOU. NEW TONIGHT, SOME IOWA SCHOOLS ARE HAVING TO CHANGE THEIR PLANS FOR THE FALL TO FOLLOW NEW RULES PUT OUT TODAY BY THE GOVERNOR. STEVE: GOVERNOR REYNOLDS PROCLAMATION COMES AFTER SCHOOL DISTRICTS WERE REQUIRED TO FINALIZE THEIR RETURN TO LEARN PLANS. SHE RECOMMENDS IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION, BUT ALLOWS FOR REMOTE LEARNING UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. STACEY: THE CONDITIONS INCLUDE PARENTAL CONSENT, SCHOOL CLOSURES, AND IF THE REMOTE LEARNING IS...

Gov. Reynolds' proclamation could force changes to 'Return to Learn' plans

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