DISTRICT SCHOOLS AND SPORTS TO RESUME IN FEBRUARY
During Tuesday’s “State of the State” address, Governor Michelle Lujan- Grisham announced the reopening of district schools beginning February 8th, 2021. According to updated guidance form the Public Education Department:
- All district schools will be able to enter hybrid learning mode, with up to 50% of students at a time in order to maintain social distancing.
- Schools with less than 100 students can bring all students back at a 5:1 ratio, with no more than six people in an enclosed area.
- District schools not ready to transition may expand small-group instruction with up to 50% of students participating at a time.
The state will require an onsite visit to certify readiness, continued use of student cohorts, upgraded air filtration and the strict enforcement of COVID-safe protocols that include face coverings and social distancing.
It was previously stated that schools could not enter hybrid mode if their county was not in the green level, or less than eight daily cases in 100,000 residents and test positivity at or below 5%. Curry and our neighboring counties are still currently in the red level.
While New Mexico schools, and parents, are ready for students to return to hybrid learning mode, families may still choose to remain in remote learning mode, if that better suits their family dynamic.
Additionally, it has been decided that High School sports in New Mexico can begin come February 22nd. Currently, the only stipulation is that only district schools that move into hybrid mode can participate. If a school chooses to stay in remote learning mode, that team will not be permitted to play NMAA-sanctioned sports. The NMAA will present a sports calendar to the Board of Directors Wednesday morning.
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