“The time is now and schools must act immediately to get students back to school buildings safely,” he said.
President Joe Biden has pledged to open most elementary and middle schools by the end of his first 100 days in office. He has ordered states to prioritize teachers in their vaccination schedules, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published guidelines to help schools reopen. However, one of those guidelines – that students sit 6 feet apart – is already being checked as it is difficult to do.
Education said First Lady Jill Biden would be delivering an opening speech at the summit, and Dr. Rochelle Walensky, head of the CDC, will also speak.
“We are holding this summit with the aim of sharing best practices and bringing together leaders, educators and students from across the country who will meet this challenge together and find creative solutions to support our students and bring them back to personal learning,” said Cardona said.
The summit comes after the passing of the $ 1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, which includes $ 130 billion in education funding. Schools that receive funding must have a school reopening plan within 30 days.
(Copyright 2021 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)