Benton Harbor High School students could soon be back in the classroom. The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education heard from Superintendent Andrae Townsel during a meeting this past week and he said there’s been a lot of work going on to be ready for in-person learning.
“March 22 we expect to have our high school students back into the building,” Townsel said. “We did hear the community loud and clear in the past saying they want our kids back in school.”
Townsel said a survey of parents found 40% want a return to in-person learning. Among teachers, 40% wanted in-person or were neutral. Among the students, 80% want a return to school in person. Townsel said the plan at this time is to follow a model with stacked blocks of in-person learning and then virtual learning.
“AM, our young people will be face to face and the rest of their day will be virtual on the PM schedule.”
Townsel said with stacked blocks of in-person hours and then virtual hours, time making transitions in the halls will be reduced, class sizes can be smaller, and there will be plenty of time for sanitizing. Students will be placed apart according to guidelines from health officials and masks will be issued.
