Schools and parents scramble as the first day after holiday break proves challenging

The first day back to class following the holiday break was challenging in Rhode Island as schools scrambled to assuage worried parents while trying to reopen classrooms.

Teacher shortages combined with a paucity of substitute teachers forced Johnston to dismiss its high school at 11 a.m.

"Twenty-three teachers called in sick," said Supt. Bernard DiLullo on Monday. "Hopefully, we will be back to normal tomorrow."

DiLullo said he remains committed to keeping schools open, but the ever-evolving circumstances are trying.

"We're doing the best we can," he said. "As you know, it's best when we are all doing the same thing."

More: RI schools will reopen in person Monday, but await fresh guidance from the governor

More: RI Health Dept. opens door for COVID-infected staff to work at hospitals, nursing homes

More: 'Data-driven decisions': Little Compton school moves to remote classes as COVID cases rise

Gov. Dan McKee is expected to make an announcement about school protocols this week after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced they were shortening the time people exposed to test-positive individuals had to quarantine to five days.

Calls to McKee's office and the Rhode Island Department of Education were not returned.

Little Compton and the Met, a state school, pivoted to distance learning for the week.

Little Compton Supt. Laurie Dias-Mitchell said the move was driven by data.

"As educators, we all know our students belong in school all day, every day," she wrote. "However, there are times when we must trust the medical experts — like those who serve on the district’s health support team, which includes town EMS professionals and an internationally known immunology expert. They have access to local data and possess pandemic/surge-related expertise that the rest of us do not."

She noted that Little Compton is in a high-transmission zone for the first time since March 2020.

Meanwhile, schools are on their own.

Warwick closed two middle schools Monday, Warwick Veterans and Winman, due to teacher shortages.

But several school districts reported that opening day went smoothly, despite a higher-than-normal number of student and staff vacancies.

Lincoln Supt. Larry Filippelli said, "Nothing horrific to report here. Some teachers are out but we're covering them. Some students are out but we're not closing classrooms. Knock on wood, there is nothing crazy."

Like many districts, North Smithfield is struggling to find substitute teachers, but so far the district is holding its own.

Supt. Michael St. Jean said 16 elementary teachers were absent Monday, but classes were being covered by teachers who are giving up their prep periods.

"Honestly, we're hoping this week and next are the worst of it," he said. "Hoping things will get better. But we're expecting a rough month."

Middletown Supt. Rosemarie Kraeger said student attendance is down almost 23%, with nearly a third of high school students reporting absent.

"We're staying open as long as we can," she said. "Parents have told us that they are thrilled we're open."

Providence and at least three charter schools – Blackstone Valley Prep, Blackstone Academy and Providence Prep – are doing a staggered return.

On a website for parents, opinion was running sharply against holding classes in person, with dozens of parents complaining about the lack of testing in schools, the lack of communication with their schools and a growing dread of the transmissibility of the latest variant.

Dee Caulfield, a parent, posted on Facebook that "It’s super-irresponsible that they are letting students come back right now. I get why they are pushing for it and agree kids should be in school, but a two-week virtual delay wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. Especially since most towns are already struggling with not having enough teachers and other resources."

But several parents waiting for their children at Hampden Meadows Elementary School in Barrington said they thought their school made the right decision to reopen classrooms.

"This isn't our first go-around," said Nichole Smith, "I trust our administrators. They have our best interest at heart. We're all learning to adapt and adjust."

Ashlee Marie, another parent posting on Facebook, said, "I was under the impression and understanding that all of Rhode Island was to follow the same guidelines? Why is it that all districts are NOW making their own choices? Also… if we have been safe and not spreading with the 10 day quarantine and negative PCR to return to school why are we changing it to 5 days quarantine?...if it’s not broken and it’s working why screw it up?"

Actually, Rhode Island schools are holding to the 10-day quarantine but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently recommended that people with COVID-19 should isolate for five days, followed that by five days of wearing a mask when around others.

Schools are moving classes online or staggering openings due to the specific circumstances in their districts.

Linda Borg covers education for The Journal.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI students head back to school amid COVID surge