On Jan. 16 the CPS Board of Education decided to return to in person learning. At the normal Board meeting on Jan. 20 they presented a full plan, including a decision about WHHS.

While there were rules laid out for all CPS schools, WHHS needed its own plan due to the size of the student body.  The board decided on a 3ft social distancing rule for WHHS upon the return of students.

An official plan for WHHS will be announced soon, including the timing of the return. For other CPS schools, grades 9-12 in person learning will start the week of Feb. 15. Grades 7-8 will start the week of March 1. According to Principal John Chambers, WHHS expects to follow this timeline.

While Monday will remain a remote learning day for all, the rest of the week will be done using the A/B blended learning model. Group A will include last names A-L and Group B will include M-Z. Tuesday/Wednesday will be in person for Group A, and Thursday/Friday will be in person for Group B. 

Board President Carolyn Jones released a statement emphasizing the safety of the plan.

“Based on the advice of our health partners, the incredible job the CPS team has done implementing health and safety protocols, the very low level of transmission of the virus within our buildings, and the rollout of the vaccine to CPS staff, the majority of the board believes that it is safe to begin a slow, methodical, phased-in return to blended learning during the month of February,” Jones wrote. 

For the students or parents who still don’t feel comfortable with the return of in person learning CPS offers Cincinnati Digital Academy. Students who choose to enroll in CDA, a completely virtual option, will be able to keep their spot at their current school next year. According to the district, “Due to staffing and technology constraints, a ‘Remote from Current School’ option is not available districtwide.” 

CDA may not be ideal for all, but it does offer a different path than returning to in person.  They also stated that any symptomatic CPS students who sign a COVID-19 consent form signed will be given access to testing.  

Some community members who spoke at the Jan. 20 meeting expressed concerns about the safety of the return, citing Hamilton County’s status as purple on the Ohio Public Health Advisory System.

“Vaccines will not be ready when this plan is intended to go into effect. You know this,” Owen Derico, ‘23, said to the Board, “Hamilton County is now purple. You know this. The options for at-risk students are not equitable. You know this.”

If you as a student, educator, parent, or staff member at WHHS would like to express your support or concerns to CPS you may contact the people listed below.

CPS Board of Education

Carolyn Jones – President – jonesca@cpsboe.k12.oh.us

Ryan Messer – VP – messerr@cpsboe.k12.oh.us

Melanie Bates – batesme@cpsboe.k12.oh.us

Eve Bolton – boltone@cpsboe.k12.oh.us

Pamela Bowers – bowersp@cpsboe.k12.oh.us

Ben Lindy – lindybe@cpsboe.k12.oh.us

Mike Moroski – moroskm@cpsboe.k12.oh.us 

CPS Administration

Superintendent – Laura Mitchell mitchec@cpsboe.k12.oh.us

Deputy Superintendent – Tianay Amat – amattia@cpsboe.k12.oh.us

Assistant Superintendent – Shauna Murphy – murphys@cpsboe.k12.oh.us