By Maria Polletta | Arizona Republic
Climbing vaccination rates among teachers — and a recent infusion of federal cash — could allow Arizona schools to safely return to or expand in-person learning this spring, Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman said Wednesday.
But first, Hoffman said, officials must “ensure that these students and families feel comfortable and safe transitioning back to the in-person classroom” by establishing “consistent and transparent mitigation strategies.”
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“Our students have had a wide range of experiences within the pandemic, and for some, returning to the classroom will be joyful and a return to a sense of stability,” Hoffman said during a news conference.
“For others, especially our students who have seen friends and loved ones become sick or even lose their lives to this virus, it will be a more anxious experience. We must first build trust.”
Hoffman pointed to recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to underscore effective COVID-19 prevention strategies
