Coronavirus: No remote learning for DPS students unless DeWine shuts schools, Lolli says

DAYTON — UPDATED (June 25): Dayton Public Schools, when classes begin Monday, Aug. 17, will forge ahead and not implement remote learning unless the governor shuts down the schools, Superintendent Elizabeth Lolli said Wednesday night.

To comply with social distancing in classrooms and other safety requirements, students and staff members will be required to wear face coverings -- a facial shield that looks like a pair of glasses -- the district will provide. Temperatures will be taken and symptom checks will be made daily.

Movement outside of the classroom will be limited.

Desks will be kept at least 2 feet apart, Lolli told News Center 7's Monica Castro on Wednesday night.

The district will perform contact tracing with Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County for anyone who tests positive, Lolli said.

"We will not be closing down the district because of 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 cases," she said. "It will be building by building that we make that assessment and immediately the next day online learning will begin to take place."

If students have to shift to remote learning, the district has spent approximately $4 million in federal CARES Act dollars and other sources to make sure students have the educational tools at home, Lolli said.

Parents who opt for remote learning must sign up by Aug. 1.

The district will set up a hotline where students can speak with their teachers for information about assignments and projects. Online classes will not have a live teacher.

"I would send my son back to school just so that he would continue to socially develop and he would be normal," Kymbria Washington told Castro.

The relative of another student wasn't so sure about having her nephew return to the classroom as the virus persists.

“My oldest nephew, he had a transplant 10 years ago. So he doesn’t have an immune system. So he’s very high risk,” the relative said. “I know that’s one thing [his mother] has been worried about. She would rather not send him back to school.”

More details about the district’s plan including safety and cleaning protocols will be released in the coming weeks.

© 2020 Cox Media Group