Executive Leadership of the Department of Education alters students’ hybrid learning model starting in 2022

US VIRGIN ISLANDS- In an effort to head towards fulltime in person learning for all public-school students, Commissioner of Education, Racquel Berry-Benjamin announced an alternate hybrid plan in a press conference held on Monday, November 8, 2021, at Government House on St. Croix. Dr. Symra Dee Brown, the Deputy Superintendent in the St. Thomas- St. John District and Carlos McGregor the Insular Superintendent in the St. Croix District were on hand to represent their districts proposed plan to take effect on January 10, 2022.

What parents, students, faculty members and the general public learned were in the following:

ST. THOMAS-ST. JOHN DISTRICT

All students enrolled in Pre-K through the 8th Grade will have a weekly class schedule of 5 days of in-person learning

The two public high schools (Charlotte Amalie High School & The Ivanna Eudora Kean High School) all enrolled 9th-grade students will have 4 days in person and 1 day of virtual learning. (It is not finalized as to which days of the week will be in-person and the one day that will be virtual).

All 10th, 11th, and 12th graders will have a weekly class schedule of 2 days in-person learning and 3 days of virtual learning.

ST. CROIX DISTRICT

All students enrolled in elementary schools will have a weekly class schedule of 5 days of in-person learning.

All 7th and 8th Graders at the John Woodson Junior High School will have a weekly class schedule of 2 days on in-person learning and 3 days of virtual learning.

Central High School & Educational Complex High School

9th Graders will have a weekly class schedule of 4 days of in-person learning and 1 day of virtual learning

10th, 11th, and 12th Graders will have a weekly class schedule of 2 days of in-person learning and 3 days of virtual learning.

Student enrolled at the Positive Connection Alternative High School will have a weekly class schedule of 2 days of in-person learning and 3 days of virtual learning.

Each district presented a slightly different plan, as one can only assume that is in the best interest of the populous of students and the diversity within the two districts. These plans did not specify which days will be in-person vs. virtually in each district for the different grade levels beyond the elementary levels. In addition to scheduling adjustments the department has outlined plans to ramp up its defense against the spread of the COVID-19.

According to Assistant Education Commissioner Victor Somme III, “the COVID-19 antigen rapid tests will be conducted by school nurses for students who exhibit virus symptoms, and PCR testing will be conducted on 10% to 15% of students per month at all schools staring in December of 2021.” Somme III also went on to explain another form of testing that the department will engage in with the anticipation of more students occupying the campuses through the territory.

“Conducting surveillance testing allows the Department of Education and the Department of Health additional contact tracing and the ability to track trends in schools and communities, Somme III expressed.

The COVID-19 vaccine is not a requirement for students returning to in-person classes however, the department is encouraging parents and students over the age of 5 to strongly consider getting vaccinated. If there are parents of guardians who refuse testing for their children from the Department of Education they must have their child or children tested by an outside provider and submit a negative COVID-19 test after quarantining for the child or children to return to school campuses.