Waukesha School Board Approves Move To In-Person Learning

WAUKESHA, WI—The Waukesha School Board on Wednesday unanimously approved the return to five-day in-person learning, which begins on Jan. 26. Middle and high school students will be offered the opportunity for full face-to-face instruction second semester.

During the fall semester the middle and high school students were in a "cohort hybrid learning model." Secondary students were learning virtually on Mondays, and in-person the rest of the week. In the hybrid model, students did virtual learning three days a week, and in-person learning two days per week. Elementary students had had the option of five-day in-person learning or virtual learning.

Many in the Waukesha community spoke during the meeting in support of returning to in-person learning.

The community speaks out

A parent and registered nurse named Chris expressed concern over the social and emotional well-being of students as well as academic performance.

Another parent named Clint also was concerned about student's academics.

"It has been over 300 days since the school district of Waukesha has offered a full education opportunity to a good portion of its students. It is sad that parents have to feel fortunate and appreciative at least our children get to go to school two days a week," he said.

A sixth grader from Butler Middle School student spoke regarding his brothers and peers who are not in the same learning model as he is in.

"I come home and often see my brothers sad and depressed because they miss their friends and school work is hard for them virtually. They are usually happy and they work hard. The past two months have been very hard from them," the student said.

A parent named Mike spoke regarding his son who is in tech education which is a hands on education. From not being in-person, he said his son is now not doing well in school. The parent suggested students build plastic screens for teachers who don't feel safe and dividers for board members.

"There are opportunities to employ the kids and give them real-world training," Mike said.

During the meeting, a few people gave impassioned pleas to stay hybrid or virtual.

"Our health and our lives always will be more important than our education. You all are acting like it is the exact opposite that we can just ignore this pandemic because our grades are so much important," a person named Tristian said.

He added the amount of coronavirus cases is waning in the district because "hybrid works."

A sophomore at Waukesha South High School spoke about contracting the coronavirus and not supporting a return to in-person learning.

"Without my knowledge I gave the virus to multiple students and my entire family," she said.

The student said she had a quick recovery but her parents did not. She quoted a comment from a parent who spoke at a previous meeting.

"We should not leave in fear but we should also not live in ignorance," the student said.

District Superintendent Jim Sebert said "Collectively we all want the same thing in the community its just we maybe differed at times at how we get there."

School Board member Bill Baumgart said hybrid-learning has been effective and has worked smoothly. He also has been concerned about the safety of the school district community and especially with staff. Baumgart said on the other side of things he is beginning to see value and going ahead with in-person learning.

"There are elements to me that are interesting," he said.

Dr. James Sebert, Superintendent of Waukesha Schools sent out the following statement:

"We recognize there are no easy decisions, and balancing multiple stakeholder groups' needs
is a challenge. Your patience and support as we continue to navigate the many changes that
have come along with COVID-19 have not gone unnoticed, and we are appreciative of this.
Last evening at the Board of Education Meeting, members of the Board voted 8-0 to
approve the administrative recommendation to return to five days of face-to-face instruction
for all students in grades 6-12, effective with the start of the 2nd semester on Tuesday,
January 26, 2021.

This motion includes continued live-streaming at the 6-12 level to meet the
needs of students who become ill, are quarantined, or otherwise prefer learning from home
during the pandemic, as decided jointly with their parent/guardian.

Additional details around the return to five-day, face-to-face learning for our secondary
students (grades 6 -12) will be shared with you during the week of January 18. Families with
students in grades 4K - 5 will not experience any changes in their instructional models.
We appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to providing our students with the
best possible learning experience during these challenging times. Let’s all stay vigilant
around safety and mitigation efforts at school, at home, and in the community. Together,
we can continue to keep our schools open and thriving."