Columbia Public Schools last day of School; Faculty and students persevered through a difficult year
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia Public Schools ended a long difficult school year Thursday.
Michelle Baumstark spokeswoman for Columbia Public Schools said this school year was a great example of teachers, students and faculty staying strong and persevering.
"Today is really about a celebration of perseverance. A celebration of what our students and our employees were able to accomplish during a global pandemic," Baumstark said.
Baumstark said this past year was by far the most difficult year in recent education history.
CPS started the year completely online in September.
The district returned to Hybrid in-person learning in January and went back to learning in person five days a week in April.
Baumstark said everyone from the families to the faculty worked so hard to get through such a difficult year. She said without such amazing employees and schools they wouldn't have been able to make it past the finish line.
Baumstark said teachers were able to adapt quickly, and parents agreed.
"It was just amazing to see what they were able to do and learn virtually. so that was really cool to have teachers that we're able to spend the extra time to help them," Andrea Jackson a CPS parent said.
Cayla Barnes, a CPS teacher, said while this year was difficult, she was very thankful for all of the support.
"We had lots of support from our administrators, from the district and from our families," Barnes said.
Lukas Jackson a CPS student said social distancing and wearing a mask during the year made it difficult to interact with friends. He and his mother are excited that he will be able to interact with his peers and see their faces again.
"I'm excited to not wear a mask because as you said its nice to see peoples faces," Jackson said.
On Friday masks and social distancing will no longer be required in school buildings. Summer school for CPS starts June 14.
As of now the CDC recommends that unvaccinated children wear masks in the classroom.
CDC director Doctor Rochelle Walensky said vaccination rates among children could change that requirement.
Walensky said she believes the guidance to wear masks in schools will be lifted before classes resume in the fall.
While masks and social distancing will not be required in CPS buildings it is still strongly encouraged.
Baumstark said she believes a large number of staff and students will still continue wearing their masks in the school buildings.
CPS will continue to do contact tracing.
CPS updated its quarantine guidelines to match the updated CDC rules.
"The new thing is that our quarantine you have two options it's the 10-day quarantine or seven days if you can get a negative test between days five to seven," Baumstark said.
