Gadfly Bites 7/30/21—The new school year is upon some of us already

1. In case you missed it, the Ohio Department of Health this week released its Covid guidance for K-12 schools for the new school year. Among other provisions, masking of students and staff is “strongly recommend” but will not be mandated. (Columbus Dispatch, 7/26/21) The full guidance is linked within the Dispatch piece if you are still jonesing for the deets.
    
2. Meanwhile, the perennial conundrum of student transportation is already rearing its ugly head in Cincinnati for the new year. (Cincinnati Enquirer, 7/27/21) In an interesting twist, it is district students who will apparently bear the brunt of the changes initiated by the local transit authority in what is termed a “surprise” to district leaders. Although I suspect charter and private school students will be affected as well despite their absence from discussion in both of the foregoing stories. (WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, 7/28/21)
   
   

3. But as I’m sure you all already knew, not every school runs on the traditional fall calendar. Case in point, Woodcrest Elementary—Columbus City Schools’ only building with a year-round schedule. All masked up, kids began the 2021-22 school year yesterday, the first time they have been able to attend full-time, five days per week in person since March of 2020. (ABC6 News, Columbus, 7/28/21)
    
4. Speaking of Columbus City Schools, here’s a nice little article on the outcome of two separate teacher grievances against the district over the last couple of school years. (MyFox28 News, Columbus, 7/28/21) And speaking of how things work behind the curtain (were we?), here’s a look at how Lorain City Schools has thus far used and is planning to fully expend some $60 million in ESSER funds. While I am most intrigued by their “11th period” academic support plan, I’m sure many of my dedicated subscribers will be drawn instead to the news that the district is actually planning to ask its voters for more money even before it spends down all that federal largesse. (The Chronicle, 7/30/21)
   
   

5. This TV news piece touting Notre Dame Academy’s decade-long record of student success in the International Baccalaureate program is quite brief. Probably why they didn’t have the space to note that the Toledo-area Catholic school does indeed accept students utilizing EdChoice and other vouchers. Oh look: it only took me nine words. (WTOL-TV, Toledo, 7/28/21)
    
6. Finally this week: Calling all bush campers! Nerds and wallflowers attending Youngstown City Schools can now join the district’s inaugural Esports team for the fall. There is no cost to participate and the team will compete statewide in Rocket League, Fortnite, Super Smash Bros., and Overwatch. GLHF gang! (WKBN-TV, Youngstown, 7/28/21)

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