Although the news had been expected, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the closing of Iowa schools at her daily COVID-19 press conference Friday morning.
While she had informed Department of Education leaders of her decision a day earlier, the official news broke at her press conference that was carried live on YouTube and Facebook.
The governor had announced on March 15 that schools would be closed until April 10, and two weeks ago she extended that closure until April 30. On Friday, she uttered the words that no one wanted to hear.
“Believe me, I would like nothing more than to stand before you today and announce that Iowa will be open for school in May,” he said, “but as we look at the what the data is telling us now, I can’t tell you with certainty that early May will be the right time for students, teachers and staff to gather again in their classrooms.
“Therefore, I regret to say that Iowa schools will not reopen for this school year, but school districts will be required to continue to provide continuous learning opportunities for those students until the end of the regular school year.”
Iowa Department of Education director Ann Leabo was just as somber.
“Closing schools to the end of the year is not an easy decision, and we do know the challenges this creates,” she said, “but we also know this decision is necessary to insure the health and safety of those we serve.
“This also includes the cancellation of spring sports seasons, adding to the many school activities that have already been lost. Iowa schools are essential to our communities, well beyond the educational services they provide. We recognize the loss this brings to many.”
With those words coming out of one morning press conference, school doors were shuttered for the year, and students and staff were left to ponder a future like none other.
Leabo said that even though school buildings will remain closed, learning opportunities across Iowa are in full swing, and those opportunities will continue.
“Under normal circumstances, the timeline for developing continuous learning plans would take months, years even,” she said. “Our schools developed and implemented solutions in a matter of weeks.
“In a short turnaround they kept their families informed, insured equitable access to learning opportunities and dove in head first to provide continuous learning strategies to meet the needs of their students and families.”
Leabo said that instructional time requirements will continue to be waived for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year for all schools providing continuous learning opportunities.
To prepare for a return to face-to-face learning, schools will need to design and submit a Return to Learn plan to the Iowa Department of Education by July 1.
“This plan may include options for summer school, enrichment activities or other opportunities designed to address disruptions to learning as a result of COVID-19,” she said.
In addition, Reynolds will waive the late August start date for schools during this public health emergency, so school districts can make local decisions about the 2020-2021 academic year.
“As we find our way forward,” said Leabo, “robust engaging options outside of brick and mortar will become an integral part of our educational framework, complementing face-to-face learning, and preparing students for the increasingly digital world they live on.
“These are extraordinary times for our teachers, administrators and staff who are transitioning to this new learning landscape, and for our students who are transitioning, too. It isn’t easy, and we are doing everything we can to support our schools, families and students as they adjust to a new way of learning, and life.”
Leabo said that while COVID-19 has created challenges, school administrators, teachers, district staff, parents and students are resilient, resourceful and tenacious.
“For that, I am grateful and reassured that we will get through this together and come out stronger on the other side,” she said.
Reynolds agreed, and thanked all educators for what they are doing during this tough time.
“This is an unprecedented time, and you continue to help us re-imagine how Iowa students can continue to learn, regardless of the circumstances,” she said. “We are getting better at it, and we need to do better.
“We will continue to look for opportunities to enhance those programs and make them better so we can continue to work with the kids.”