Owensboro Public Schools will not return to the classroom until at least Jan. 14, officials announced Friday. Officials said they will remain virtual to finish the first semester, which officially ends Jan. 13, 2021.
According to the announcement on Facebook, “We just received the Governor’s newest Executive Order and will analyze it before making a decision about the start of the second semester which begins Thursday, January 14, 2021.”
Daviess County Public Schools has not announced their plans at this time. DCPS officials said earlier this week they are weighing their options and could wait until just after Christmas before making an announcement.
Local private schools
Owensboro Catholic, St. Mary of the Woods and Trinity High schools, as well as Heritage Christian School and Grace Christian Academy, have all announced plans to return in full to in-person learning Jan. 5.
New and old executive orders
The original restrictions on in-person learning expire Jan. 4, but a new executive order issued Friday by Gov. Andy Beshear recommends waiting until at least Jan. 11 to return to the classroom.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday declined a request to block the previous order suspending in-person classes at private and public schools across the state, in part because of timing.
The new order includes certain requirements for public schools, but the order only serves a recommendation for private schools.
Those requirements include following the state’s Healthy at School guidelines and following the Mode of Instruction Metrics for K-12 Education.
The order also requires that every public school provide meaningful virtual options that cannot negatively impact students’ academic standing, including access to advance placement courses as well as opportunities to complete required career and technical education.
Additionally, schools returning to in-person instruction must accommodate all high-risk employees who request an alternative or virtual work assignment.
