BROADCAST SYSTEM AND FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

HELLO AND WELCOME TO A SPECIAL EDITION OF LOUISIANA "PUBLIC SQUARE."

TONIGHT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.

MODERATING IS BARRY ERWIN PRESIDENT FOR THE COUNCIL FOR A BETTER LOUISIANA.

THANKS BETH, JUST THIS WEEK VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE MET WITH GOVERNOR EDWARDS AND OTHER LEADERS TO PUSH FOR OPENING THE LOUISIANA CLASSROOMS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

WHILE THE STATE HAS SEEN A SURGE IN CASES.

THE BOARD OF RECENTS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS MOVED FORWARD AS FAR AS THEY CAN CAN ONING TO CAMPUS.

RULES TO PHASE TWO WILL NOW APPLY TO SCHOOLS.

GROUP SIZES AND MASKING AND SANITIZING.

BUT THESE SANITIZING CREATES NEW ISSUES LIKE HOW TO FIT ALL STUDENTS ON SCHOOL BUSES AND IN CLASSROOMS.

OVER THE NEXT HOUR WE'LL LOOK FOR SOLUTIONS FOR DAY CARES AND K THROUGH 12 AND UNIVERSITIES.

WE BEGIN WITH THE DAY CARE OWNER IN SOUTH LOUISIANA AND HOW SHE IS ADAPTING TO SERVE HER YOUNG LEARNERS.

I AM PHYLLIS JOHNSON OWNER OF A-PLUS DAY CARE AND LEARNING CENTER.

THE OIL FIELDS BEFORE COVID.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PARENTS -- AND THAT WAS GROUND BREAKING FOR US.

THAT RULED OUT GOING BACK AND LOW AND BEHOLD COMES MARCH AND COVID.

AND NOW WE ARE AT 40%.

THE FACT IS PARENTS ARE EITHER WORKING FROM HOME NOW OR LOSING THEIR JOBS OR HOURS BEING CUT.

THEY WERE AT HOME AND THERE WAS NO NEED TO SEND THE CLIRN CHILDREN TO DAY CARE.

THIS IS PRIVATELY OWNED WITH NO HELP.

AND WE SWITCHED OUR LICENSES TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE TO HELP THE PARENTS OUT OF WORK AT THE TIME.

AND BECAUSE CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PAYS FOR THE CHILDREN TO ATTEND THE DAY CARE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN TOMORROW.

THAT IS WHAT IS SCARY TO ME.

NOW, THE WORLD IS SEEING HOW IMPORTANT CHILD CARE IS.

BECAUSE IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE CHILD CARE, AND YOU WERE A NURSE OR YOU ARE A DOCTOR OR YOU ARE ON THE FRONT LINES PER SE, YOUR CHILD HAD TO GO SOMEWHERE AND YOU HAD TO TRUST THAT THE CHILD CARE FCILITY WOULD BE OPEN.

AND THE MAJORITY OF THE SAFE HAVENS REMAIN OPEN IN LOUISIANA AND NEAR WHICH TWO-THIRDS WERE CLOSED IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK.

67% OF THEM HAVE RESUMED OPERATIONS.

THE PANEL FOR EARLY EDUCATION CHOOSE OLIVET TEMPLE SHE RUN A PRESCHOOL IN NEW ORLEANS.

AND WHITNEY CENTER AND DR.

MICHAEL BOLTON WITH OUR LADY OF THE LAKE HEALTH CARE.

IT'S FIRST QUESTION IS ON THE MINDS OF PARENTS NOT ONLY USING CHILD CARE BUT EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS OF ALL AGES.

ELIZABETH A SCHOOL CUSTODIAN ASKS WITH THIS PANDEMIC STARTING BACK UP WHY WOULD YOU START SCHOOL NOW.

I HAVE TO WORK BUT I DON'T WANT TO PUT MY LIFE OR MY FAMILY'S LIFE IN JEOPARDY.

WHAT IS THE RISK FOR CONTRACTING COVID AND SPREADING IT TO ADULTS.

ESPECIALLY YOUNG CHILDREN IN CHILD CARE?

THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION AND PART OF WHAT IS UNKNOWN.

THERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO LOOK AT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT TRYING TO GET KIDS INTO SCHOOL SAFELY.

LOOKING AT THE WELFARE OF THE CHILD AND ALSO FOR THE FACULTY.

ONE THING IS THE ENVIRONMENT.

SO FROM THE EARLIEST REPORTS WE HAD OUT OF CHINA WITH REGARDS TO KIDS AND COVID 19 WE FOUND THAT MOST KIDS THAT GOT IT, GOT IT FROM A HOUSE HOLD ADULT.

WHEN A HOUSE HAS IT.

A HOUSE HAS MEMBERS THAT HAVE COVID 19.

LESS THAN 10% OF THE TIME IF THE CHILD THAT STARTED WAS THE FIRST KID THAT HAD IT IN THE HOUSEHOLD.

THE ENVIRONMENT IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE.

WE SEE THE VIDEO WE HAVE SEEN OPENING THAT.

DAY CARES ARE OPEN AND WE HAVE NOT REALLY SEEN A REAL INFLUX OF KIDS FROM THOSE KIDS.

AND THE SECOND IS AGE.

I THINK THE MORE KIDS GET OLDER THE MORE THEY ACT LIKE ADULTS IN TERMS OF TRANSMISSION OF THE VIRUS.

WE SEE THAT YOUNGER KIDS ARE ONE QUARTER OR ONE-THIRD AS LIKELY TO GET COVID AS THEIR OLDER COHORTS OR AT ADULTS.

IT SEEMS LIKE THE YOUNGER KIDS TEND TO BE OKAY WHEN THEY GET COVID BECAUSE THEY HAVE LESS SEVERE SYMPTOMS AND THEY ARE LESS LIKELY TO GET IT.

AND ANOTHER PIECE TO WHAT IS TO BE DONE IS TO LOOK AT OTHER COUNTRIES THAT OPENED SCHOOLS SAFELY ARE.

YOU LOOK AT EUROPE AND ASIA AND AUSTRALIA.

MANY PLACES THAT OPENED SCHOOLS IN A SAFE MANNER PRACTICING SAFE HABITS THEY HAVE DONE IT RELATIVELY SAFELY.

YOU TALK ABOUT THE HABITS.

ARE YOU OPERATING A CHILD CARE CENTER WHAT KIND OF PRECAUTIONS DO YOU USE ON A DAILY BASIS AND WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN?

CHILD CARE CENTERS HAVE NOT HAD TO CLOSE AND WE DO THIS ALL THE TIME AS IT RELATES TO THE CAUTION.

WE ARE ALREADY CLEANING, SANITIZING AS IT RELATES TO THE CDC GUIDELINES, AS WELL AS THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GUIDELINES THAT ARE PUT IN PLACE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, WE ARE FREQUENTLY CLEANING HIGHLY TOUCHED SURFACES IF IT SAYS HOURLY WE DO IT TWICE.

WE TALK ABOUT GERMS AND WASH HANDS.

WE DON'T HAVE PARENTS THAT COME INTO THE CENTER AS A RESULT, THAT MINIMIZES RISK OR EXPOSURE.

WE ARE THE HAND WASHING PIECE, WE CAN'T EXPRESS THAT ENOUGH THE MERE FACT THAT PARENTS CAN COME THIS IS A BIG DIFFERENCE.

I BET THE KIDS HAVE NEVER BEEN CLEANER.

THEY ARE GREAT.

ONCE WE START SOMETHING WITH CHILDREN.

THEY HELP THE ADULTS AND REMIND THEM.

IT'S A BIG DEAL.

DR.

SONJA LET ME ASK YOU, YOU CONDUCTED A SURVEY OF CHILD CARE CENTERS.

GENERALLY SPEAKING WHAT DID YOU FINAL WITH THEIR CONCERNS AND THE ISSUES THEY HAVE FACING?

WE HAVE DONE THREE SURVEYS NOW IN LOUISIANA.

AND THE CHILD CARE INDUSTRY WE FOUND IS NOT DIFFERENT THAN OTHER INDUSTRIES.

THERE IS STUFF YOU CAN MANAGE IS THE SAME CHALLENGES AND AGAIN ALL OF THAT IS SHARED WITH US A MINUTES AGO MAKING SURE THINGS ARE CLEAN.

AND THERE IS A GREAT NEED FOR PPE AND CHILD CARE DOES NOT WANT TO BE EXPOSING MORE PEOPLE TO THE VIRUS AS WELL AND THEY ARE WORKING ON MITIGATING THAT.

ADDITIONALLY WE KNOW THAT CHILD CARE SUPS ALL INDUSTRIES AND THEY NEED INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUPPORT AT THIS TIME.

AND THEY OPERATE ON SUCH SMALL MARGINS.

IT'S NOT LIKE A SCHOOL.

THEY GET ALLOCATED FUNDING AND CHILD CARE IS NOT IT'S TUITION BASED.

AND THROUGH THE PANDEMIC THEY HAVE OPENED AND CLOSED AND HAVE DONE IN BETWEEN.

AND THERE IS A LOT OF FLUX.

WE FOUND THE CONTINUED NEED FOR SUPPORT FINANCIALLY AND THROUGH OTHER INDUSTRIES TO BE ABLE TO KEEP CHILD CARE OPEN.

THANKS.

WE HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION THIS ONE IS FROM VIDEO OF A PRESCHOOL TEACHER OF DEAF STUDENTS.

I'M A PRESCHOOL TEACHER OF THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING AT JEFFERSON PARRISH PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THE STUDENTS RELY ON SEEING MY FACE AND MOUTH TO ACCESS INFORMATION AND LEARNING.

AND THEY REQUIRE CLOSE PERSONAL INACTION TO ACHIEVE DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIAE PRACTICES.

WHAT KIND OF GUIDANCE DO YOU RECEIVE, FOR KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS?

TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THEM AS IT RELATES TO ALL OF OUR CHILDREN.

AND THE GUIDELINES ARE IN PLACE.

AS A PARENT OF A CHILD WITH EXCEPTIONALITY.

THAT WAS A VERY BIG DEAL FOR ME.

HAVE YOU TO HAVE QUALIFIED PEOPLE IN PLACE.

YOU KNOW THAT WE ARE ESSENTIAL AND THE PEOPLE WE HAVE IN PLACE HAVE TO BE SENSITIVE TO THOSE STUDENTS.

ONE, SHE TALKS ABOUT A DEAF CHILD.

WE HAVE CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND DOWN SYNDROME AND WE HAVE AN ARRAY OF DISABILITIES WE CARE FOR AND ARE SERVICING.

WE HAVE TO BE SENSITIVE TO THEIR NEEDS AND THERE IS NO AS YOU SAID IN THIS TIME WE HAVE TO NURTURE THEM AND BE CLOSE TO THEM.

THAT IS PART OF THE REASSURANCE.

AND AS A RESULT THE DEP IS ENCOURAGING US, AS SMALL GROUPS AS WE HAVE BEEN DOING.

THE RATIOS ARE MANDATING THAT.

BUT BEING RIGHT THERE FOR THEM BECAUSE IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO PROCESS ALL OF THIS.

THE SMALL GROUP SETTINGS ARE WORKING FOR THEM.

AS WELL AS BEING READILY AVAILABLE.

QUALIFIED AND EQUIPPED TO JUST ASSESS THEIR NEEDS.

DOCTOR LET ME TURN TO YOU.

TO ADDRESS THE SAME CONCERNS.

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THE VERY YOUNG KIDS WITH THE SOCIAL DISTANCING PIECE AND ESPECIALLY A DEAF STUDENT WHERE THE SOCIAL DISTANCING MAY BE MORE DIFFICULT TO DO?

THESE ARE DIFFICULT QUESTIONS AND MISS TEMPLE HIT ON ITEMS WE TRY TO ENCOURAGE.

THAT IS WASHING HANDS AND WEARING MASKS AND WATCH YOUR DISTANCE.

IF YOU CAN IMPLEMENT THOSE THE SAFER KIDS WILL FACULTY WILL BE WHEN THEY GO TO SCHOOL.

WHEN IT COMES TO KIDS THAT HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS AND NEED DIFFERENT RESOURCES IT'S BEING CREATIVE WITH WHAT IS AVAILABLE TO ALLOW FACULTY IN THE SCHOOL AND REAP THE BENEFITS.

THERE ARE FACE MASKS I THINK THEY WORK THE BEST.

THERE IS LITERATURE ON THE FACE SHIELDS.

THE CLEAR PLASTIC COVER, WE ARE NOT ENTIRELY SURE HOW EFFECTIVE THEY ARE, BUT THEY ARE MORE EFFECTIVE THAN NOTHING.

THAN ALLOWS THE TEACHERS FACE TO BE SEEN.

AND ALLOWS MORE EDUCATION TO HAPPEN FOR THE KIDS THAT NEED TO READ LIPS OR FACIAL EXPRESSIONS FROM THE TEACHERS.

OUR NEXT QUESTION IS FROM JOANNA, SHE ASKS GIVEN PARENTS DESPERATE NEED TO GET BACK TO WORK AND ACCESSING CHILD CARE EVEN BEFORE COVID.

WHAT IS BEING DONE TO MAKE IT MORE AFFORDABLE.

MANY OF THE CHILD CARE PROVIDERS TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE SBA LOANS AND OTHER COVID RESPONSE AND GRANTS WE HAVE THROUGHOUT THE STATE TO KEEP THE COST OF CHILD CARE DOWN.

WE RECENTLY DID A COST MODELING TO REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT QUALITY CARE AND EARLY EDUCATION WOULD COST IN THIS COVID WORLD.

PRIOR TO COVID IT WAS $12,000 A YEAR ANNUALLY.

AND POST COVID WITH POST RATIOS AND CLEANING SUPPLIES AND PPE IT'S UP TO $16,000 A YEAR ANNUALLY.

PARENTS CAN NOT AFFORD THAT.

AND CHILD CARE CENTERS WILL NOT CHARGE THAT BUT THEY ARE WORKING HARD TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN MITIGATE THE COST.

WHAT IS ALARM CAN PRIOR TO COVID WE SERVED LESS THAN 15% OF OUR CHILDREN 3 AND UNDER IN PUBLICALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS.

AND WE SEE WE ARE SEEING A SHIFT OF THAT.

IT'S REALLY ABOUT MAKING SURE WE HAVE AN INDUSTRY THAT IS VIABLE TO THE FAMILIES CAN COME BACK TO WORK AND TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

ABSOLUTELY.

THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM PJ A CHILD CARE PROVIDER IN LAFAYETTE.

ARE THEY REQUIRED TO PAY THEIR EMPLOYEES WHEN THEY ARE OUT OF WORK AND WAITING FOR TEST RESULTS.

WHAT IS THE SITUATION?

AS A MATTER OF FACT, IN ALL FAIRNESS.

WE ARE ALL REQUIRED TO PAY BECAUSE THEIR EXPOSURE PROBABLY CAME FROM THAT CHILD CARE SETTING.

WE DO, IT'S UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE AS DR.

SONIA SAYS THE FINANCIAL PIECE IS A BIG DEAL.

BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE ENTITLED TO IT WE ARE REQUIRED TO COMPENSATE THEM WHILE THEY ARE OUT.

BECAUSE THE EXPOSURE PROBABLY CAME FROM THE CHILD CARE CENTER.

UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR IN THIS SEGMENT.

THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION.

IN LATE JUNE THE ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS ISSUED A STATEMENT TO STRONGER ADVOCATE FOR RETURNING TO THE SCHOOL ROOM.

BUT AS THE 15,000 RESPONDENTS 58% WERE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THEIR CHILDREN OR STUDENTS RETURNING TO SCHOOL.

CLAYTON PARRISH IS RETURNING AS USUAL.

AND WE TALKED TO THE SUPERINTENDANT THERE.

MY NAME IS WILLIAM KENNEDY THE SUPERINTENDANT OF SCHOOLS IN CLAIBORNE PARRISH.

WE ARE A RURAL DISTRICT RIGHT AGAINST THE ARKANSAS LINE.

I HAVE ABOUT 1700 STUDENTS K-12 GRADE.

UNDER PHASE TWO YOU CAN ONLY PUT 50% CAPACITY ON A SCHOOL BUS AND THAT IS 36 KIDS.

THAT LIMITS THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WE CAN BRING ON CAMPUS.

ON AUGUST 6th WE'LL TRANSPORT AND BRING TO CAMPUS PRE-K THROUGH 8.

ONCE THEY ARE ON CAMPUS WE CAN FOLLOW THE GUIDELINE TO EDUCATE THOSE KIDS FACE-TO-FACE IN PERSON.

THE HIGH SCHOOL IS MORE OF A CHALLENGE AS IT IS FOR EVERY DISTRICT.

YOU CAN'T PROVIDE THE STANDARD SIZE CLASSROOM WITH 24 TO 28 KIDS WITH THE SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES WE CAN PUT 16 IN THERE.

WHEN WE START WE'LL BRING EVERY CHILD PRE-K THROUGH 8 ON CAMPUS FACE-TO-FACE AND THE HIGH SCHOOL WILL START VIRTUALLY.

BECAUSE WE ARE SO RURAL.

INTERNET ACCESS IS AN ISSUE.

WE DID A SURVEY OF THOSE THAT RESPONDED THERE IS 26% THAT HAVE NO INTERNET.

AND WE ARE WORKING TO IMPROVE THAT AND WE HAVE PRETTY GOOD PLANS IN PLACE BUT IT DOES TAKE TIME TO GET THAT COVERAGE.

IF THE KID DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO HOME THEY CAN PROBABLY TRAVEL TO ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS THAT HAS THE FREE WIFI OUTSIDE AND THE LOCAL LIBRARY YOU CAN LOG IN AND ALL THE LESSONS FROM THE TEACHER ARE THERE THAT DAY.

AND THOSE THAT DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE WE'LL RECORD THE LESSONS AND SAVE THEM TO THE JUMP DRIVE AND DISTRIBUTE THOSE JUMP DRIVES WEEKLY TO THE CHILDREN THAT DON'T HAVE THE ACCESSIBILITY.

IT'S CHALLENGING BUT IT'S THE NEW NORMAL AND WE HAVE TO EMBRACE IT AND MOVE FORWARD.

JOINING US TO EXPLORE THE NEW NORMAL IS DR.

KAY BRUMLY.

DR.

KEITH CORVILLE THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE EDUCATORS.

AND JOIN US REHOSTLY IS KEISHA SIMMONS PRESIDENT ELECT ARE OF THE LOUISIANA SCHOOL COUNSELORS ASSOCIATION.

BEFORE WE GO TO THE AUDIENCE QUESTIONS.

DR.

BRUMLY WELCOME TO THIS UNUSUAL TIME AS POSITION AS SUPERINTENDANT.

YOU HEAR FROM THE SURVEY THERE IS CONCERN ABOUT TEACHERS AND FAMILIES REOPEN.

WHERE DO WE STAND RIGHT NOW?

WE HAVE WORKED WITH EXPERTS ON THE VIRUS.

INDIVIDUALS AT THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, TULANE AND CHILDRENS HOSPITAL.

AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WE NEVER INDICATED WE WERE EXPERTS ON THE VIRUS BUT WE HAD STRONG FEELINGS ON HOW TO OPERATIONAL STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES IN OUR SCHOOLS.

THEY VOTED TO ADOPT MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR EVERY SCHOOL IN LOUISIANA IN ORDER FOR THEM TO OPEN SAFELY.

WE FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE STANDARDS AND I THINK IT'S STANDARDS THAT EACH SCHOOL CAN USE AND CAN CLEARLY UNDERSTAND.

AND I AM IMPRESSED WITH SYMPTOMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE WORKING THROUGH THE STANDARDS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE ABLE TO OPEN THEIR SCHOOLS THIS A SAFE WAY.

WHILE WE ALSO RECOGNIZE WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO EDUCATE EVERY CHILD IN THIS STATE.

NO MATTER THE PHASE WE ARE IN OR THE OVERALL SITUATION OF THIS PANDEMIC.

OUR KIDS DESERVE AN EDUCATION AND WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY.

IT SEEMS LIKE DISTRICTS ARE TRYING TO USE DIFFERENT KINDS OF FLEXIBILITY TO ALLOW LEARNING IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS.

CAN YOU COMMENT ON THAT?

SO, WE HAVE SET UP A SYSTEM BASED ON THE PHASES THE STATE MIGHT BE IN.

THANK YOU ARE IN PHASE TWO THERE IS A CERTAIN SET OF RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE.

AS WE TOGGLE BACK AND FORTH, PHASE ONE WE HAVE WHO RESTRICTIONS AND THREE LESS RESTRICTIONS.

THAT IS CLASS SIZE AND NUMBER OF STUDENTS ON THE BUS AND SAN ADVERTISING AND FACE COVERINGS.

WE BRING IN ELEMENTARY STUDENTS FIRST AND FOREMOST.

THEY ARE SHOWN NOT TO BE THE SPREADERS OF THE VIRUS.

YOU DEAL A LOT WITH TEACHERS WHAT GUIDELINES ARE THEY RECEIVING IN TERMS OF HOW THEY INTERACT WITH KIDS AND PROTECT THE KIDS AND THEMSELVES.

AND WHAT IS THEIR REACTION?

OUTSIDE OF THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND WITH WHAT DISTRICTS ARE TRYING TO WORK THROUGH NOW.

THERE IS ANXIETY OUT THERE NOW AMONGST OUR EDUCATORS AND TEACHERS.

SPECIFICALLY ANXIETY TOWARDS NOT ONLY THEIR HEALTH AND LIVELIHOOD BUT ON HOW EXACTLY WE EDUCATE STUDENTS AND IMPLEMENT THE LOGISTICS.

THERE IS NOT A LOT OF ANSWERS OUT THERE FOR TEACHERS RIGHT NOW.

I AM ASKING EVERYONE TO WORK WITH TEACHERS AS WE FIGURE IT OUT.

LET ME ASK DR.

BRUMLY TOO.

WE HEARD THE SUPERINTENDANT TALK ABOUT SCHOOL BUSES AND HOW THAT WOULD BE A CHALLENGE.

HOW DOES THAT WORK DO YOU THINK WITH THE MINIMUM AM, HALF THE CAPACITY ON A SCHOOL BUS?

AND HOW DO YOU KEEP SOCIAL DISTANCING?

THIS IS ONE OF THE PRIMARY CONCERNS AND CHALLENGES OF SCHOOL SYSTEMS IS TRANSPORTATION.

IN PHASE TWO FOR INSTANCE YOU CAN ONLY OCCUPY A BUS AT 50%.

THAT REALLY TAKES A BUS AND CUTS IT IN HALF IN TERMS OF STUDENTS YOU CAN BRING TO SCHOOL.

YOU SEE THE SYSTEMS MOVING IN PHRASE TWO TO A HYBRID MODEL.

LIKE ONLY BRINGING IN YOUR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS.

AND PHASE THREE THAT GOES TO 75%.

AND YOU CAN PUT MORE STUDENTS ON THE BUS.

BUT WHAT IS ALSO IMPORTANT IS THE BUSS HAVE THE WINDOWS DOWN TO CIRCULATE THE AIR THROUGH THERE.

AND YOU HAVE SOCIAL DISTANCING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ON THE BUSES.

LETS GO TO A VIDEO QUESTION FROM A MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER IN SHREVEPORT.

MY NAME IS DANA MICHELLE, AND I SERVE AS A LOUISIANA HISTORY TEACHER.

MY QUESTION IS, HAS L DE SET UP A SYSTEM TO ADDRESS THE BEHAVIORAL NEEDS OF STUDENT, ESPECIALLY THE SOCIAL EMOTIONAL FACTORS OF THEIR MENTAL HEALTH TO ASSIST LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THEIR REENTRY PLAN.

MR.

SIMMONS LET ME ASK YOU THAT?

WE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

WE HAVE GUIDELINES FOR TESTING AND HEALTH NEEDS OF BOTH STUDENTS AND FACULTY.

THE TEAM IS GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT SCHOOL COUNSELORS ARE AVAILABLE.

PRINCIPALS ARE GIVEN LEEWAY TO USE FACULTY AND STAFF TO MEET THE NEEDS OF SMALLER CLASS SIZES BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT SCHOOL COUNSELORS ARE NOT CAUGHT UP, AND WE ARE AVAILABLE TO ASSESS STUDENTS ANDING WITH PROACTIVE IN THE ASSESSMENT.

S AND BE AVAILABLE TO FOLLOW-UP WITH INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS AND SMALL GROUP MEETINGS.

IN ADDITION TO MEETING WITH PARENTS.

THAT IS WHERE WE ARE.

THE SCHOOL COUNSELORS ARE FILLED AND WE ARE ABLE TO ACT IN CRISIS SITUATIONS, LIKE I SAID IT'S MAKING SURE THEY ARE AVAILABLE.

THAT IS ENCOURAGING TO HEAR.

THANK YOU FOR THAT.

MRS.

JACKSON YOU ARE A SCHOOL TEACHER AND YOU HAVE A CHILD IN SCHOOL.

HOW DO YOU BALANCE THOSE CONCERNS?

WELL, FIRST AND FOREMOST, MY STUDENTS ARE MY CHILDREN ALSO.

I FEEL THE SAME WITH ABOUT MY OWN AS I DO ABOUT THE STUDENTS I TEACH.

AND THAT FIRST CONCERN IS SAFETY.

IF STUDENTS DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT IT HINDERS THE LEARNING PROCESS.

AND IF THAT TAKES PLACE THERE IS A CONUNDRUM OF OTHER ISSUES.

WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON NOW IT'S A HECTIC AND STRESSFUL TIME.

THOSE STUDENTS COMING BACK TO CAMPUS WHICH WE HAVE TO RETURN TO SCHOOL BUT WE HAVE TO DO IT SAFELY.

AND COMING BACK TO CAMPUS MAY NOT BE SAFE.

WE KNOW OUR KIDS WANT TO RETURN.

AND WHAT THEY EXPECT IS NORMALCY.

WHAT THEY HAD PRIOR TO MARCH 13th.

AND WE WILL HAVE A NEW NORMAL.

THEY WERE USED TO COMING IN AND RUNNING AND HUGGING THEIR TEACHERS AND HUGGING THEIR CLASSMATES.

THEY WON'T HAVE THAT.

RECESS THEY CONDITION PLAY JUMP ROPE OR PLAY HIDE AND SEEK OR GROUP PROJECTS OR SHARING.

OR I'LL TALK TO YOU AT LUNCH OR PE.

BECAUSE THERE WILL BE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND THOSE THINGS WILL CHANGE.

WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR WE WON'T SEE THAT ON A CAMPUS.

AS FAR AS TEACHERS MOST OF US ARE DUE TO RETURN IN LESS THAN A MONTH.

TWO WEEKS HERE.

AND WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE.

WE ARE SET TO RETURN IN THE HYBRID MODEL.

WE HAVE STUDENTS ONE OR TWO DAYS AND THE REST ARE VIRTUAL.

HOW DO WE CONNECT THAT?

ARE WE EDUCATING OUR KIDS IN PERSON?

AND VIRTUALLY AT THE SAME TIME?

WE ARE NOT SURE WHAT THAT IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

WHAT ABOUT YOU AS A PARENT.

WORRYING ABOUT YOUR CHILD GOING BACK TO SCHOOL?

MY SON, FOR SIX AND A HALF HOURS DURING THE DAY HE LEARNS IN A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE THAT I AM NOT FLUID IN.

IT'S VERY STRESSFUL TO ME BECAUSE I HAVE TO MAKE SURE IF I AM NOT HOME, I HAVE TO PUT THINGS IN PLACE FOR HIM TO BE ABLE TO DO THINGS.

AND I WILL SAY THAT OUR DISTRICT HAS BEEN -- HE CAN GO TO SCHOOL WHEN I AM OUT WORK OUTSIDE OF WEDNESDAY.

I STILL HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT CHILD CARE ONE OF THOSE DAYS, BUT IT'S STRESSFUL I WANT HIM TO BE SAFE.

AND I WANT EVERYONE TO BE SAFE.

I JUST DON'T FEEL RETURNING TO THE SCHOOL BUILDING RIGHT NOW WILL BE SAFE.

IT DOESN'T GET EASIER?

NO, IT DOESN'T.

THE NEXT TWO QUESTIONS DEAL WITH ISSUES ON A LOT OF PEOPLE'S MINDS.

DEI SAYS I AM A PAR PROFESSIONAL WORKING IN A CLASSROOM WHAT IF ONE OF MY OWN CHILDREN GET SICK AND SENT TO QUARANTINE.

IF I TAKE CARE OF THEM WILL MY JOB BE IN JEOPARDY.

AND IF A TEACHER IS QUARANTINING BECAUSE OF A SICK COWORKER WILL MY SICK DAYS BE USED?

I THINK THAT THE QUESTION IS A SIMPLE ANSWER OF THIS, YES, YOU DO THIS OR DO THAT.

BUT IT IS GOING TO MATTER DEPENDING ON THE SITUATION.

THIS IS WHY WE ARE WORKING HAND AND HAND WITH THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

AND IF DIFFERENT THINGS HAPPEN THEY KNOW HOW TO RESPOND.

MORE IMPORTANT THAN THOSE SET PROCEDURES IS THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT HAVE TO BE BUILT BETWEEN HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND SCHOOL SYSTEMS TO HAVE THE AUTHENTIC ON GOING ORGANIC RELATIONSHIP OF PARTNERING WITH EACH OTHER.

WE HAVE NEVER BEEN BACK TO SCHOOL IN A GLOBAL HEALTH PANDEMIC.

WE HAVE TO LEARN FROM EACH OTHER AND GIVE GRACE AND PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING AS WE WORK THROUGH THIS TOGETHER.

IN TERMS OF EMPLOYEES AND ABSENCES EACH LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM IS WORKING THROUGH THEIR POLICIES TO SEE WHAT MAKES SENSE.

BUT AT MINIMUM EVERY TEACHER IN THE LOUISIANA HAS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF SICK LEAVE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATION HAS THE CARES ACT LEAVE AND THEN EXTENDED MEDICAL LEAVE.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERY EDUCATOR IN THE STATE TO HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEIR LOCAL DESCRIBE OR SCHOOL SYSTEM.

ONE QUESTION THAT COMES UP ACROSS THE STATE IS THE ISSUE WITH THE MASKS.

YOU ARE TRYING TO REQUIRE, RECOMMENDING THAT MOST STUDENTS DEPENDING ON THEIR AGE WEAR A MASK.

HOW WILL THAT BE ENFORCED AND DO YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THAT?

I AM MORE AND WHO IMPRESSED WITH THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FACE COVERINGS AS I SPENT TIME WITH THE LEADING EXPERTS IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.

WE APPROACHED IT BY SAYING STUDENTS PRE-K TO TWO MAY WEAR A COVERING.

WE DID NOT MANDATE TORE FREE K. THOSE THAT ARE YOUNG MAY PROM THEM TO TOUCH THEIR FACE MORE WITH THE MASK ON THEIR FACE.

AND LONG DEVELOPMENT IS IMPORTANT.

THIS IS A TIME YOU LOOK AT LIPS AND TONE TO SEE HOW SOUNDS ARE MADE.

WE DID NOT MANDATE THAT.

BUT GRADES THREE AND ABOVE.

WE SUGGEST THOSE STUDENTS MUST WEAR A FACE COVERING IF THEY RETURN TO THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT.

THANKS OUR NEXT QUESTION COMES FROM A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL.

JACKSON ASKS, ON BEHALF OF MY BROTHER WITH SIGNIFICANT AUTISM.

I WANT TO KNOW HOW GENERALIZED THE TEACHING WILL BE FOR THOSE THAT CANNOT LEARN VIA ZOOM SESSIONS.

WHAT ARE YOU TELLING THEM OR WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

I WANTS TO BE CLEAR TO SITE MY SOURCE AND INSPIRATION FOR THIS QUESTION.

MY COLLEAGUE DESIREE ALEXANDER IS WORKING AND TRAINING,000 OF EDUCATORS AND ONE THING SHE TAUGHT ME IS THAT DIGITAL EDUCATION IS MORE THAN A ZOOM CALL.

PEOPLE THAT WORRY WHAT DOES IS LOOK LIKE.

THE FIRST PART OF THE ANSWER IS IT'S NOT A ZOOM CALL.

A DIGITAL CLASSROOM IS A MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND TRACKING ASSIGNMENT AND DIGITIZING AND TRANSFERRING THE CURRICULUM INTO AN ONLINE SPACE AND ACCOMMODATING THE STUDENTS.

CAN I SAY THAT EVERY SINGLE ACCOMMODATIONS ESPECIALLY THE EXCEPTIONALITIES THAT ARE MILD TO MODERATE IMPAIRMENT IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO ONLINE.

ABSOLUTELY NOT I CONDITION ANSWER FOR THE ENTIRE STATE IN EVERY SITUATION.

BUT I CAN TELL THAT YOU TEACHERS ARE TRYING AND THIS IS A FUNDAMENTAL REASON THAT TEACHERS SHOULD BE TREATED AS ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

THEY ARE LITERALLY THE BACKBONE OF OUR SOCIETY.

CHALLENGES ON EVERY FRONT WITH TEACHERS.

DR.

BRUMLY ONE QUESTION WE HEAR QUITE A BIT IS INTERNET CONNECTIITY AND ACCESS TO BROADBAND.

AND WE ARE TRYING TO GET DEVICES INTO THE HANDS OF STUDENTS THAT DON'T HAVE THEM.

WHERE DO WE STANDS NOW?

AFTER PUSHING OUT $16 MILLION WE ARE IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE THAN A YEAR AGO.

WE HAVE MORE DEVICES IN PLACE.

WE THINK PROBABLY 75% OF THE STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE HAVE ACCESS TO A SYSTEM SPONSORED DEVICE.

AND CORRECTIVITY IS THIS A BETTER SITUATION.

BUT THIS IS TEMPORARY.

AND THIS WILL NOT LAST.

WE NEED A DISCUSSION ABOUT BROADBAND IN THE STATE AND MAKE SURE EVERY HOUSEHOLD HAS ACCESS TO HIGH FUNCTIONING INTERNET SERVICES.

THIS IS NOT JUST IMPORTANT FOR PRE-K-12 BUT HIGHER ED.

AND MORE AND MORE INDIVIDUALS ARE WORKING FROM HOME.

WE NEED BROAD BRAND IN THE STATE ACCESSIBLE TO EVERY CITIZEN.

I DID WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO REMIND THE VIEWERS THAT LPB IS OFFERING CRITICAL MASK LESSONS OVER THE AIR.

AND YOU CAN GET THE DETAILS AND MORE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AT LPB.ORG/AT HOME.

MISS JACKSON LET ME ASK YOU, YOU ARE THEORETICALLY GOING BACK TO SCHOOL IN AUGUST WITH ALL OF YOUR STUDENTS.

WHAT IS THE EXPECTATION WHERE YOU WILL FIND THEM AFTER THE LONG DISRUPTION AND THE SPRING.

WE HAVE TO BE COMPASSIONATE WITH THE STUDENTS, HOWEVER THE HIGH EXPECTATIONS WE ALWAYS HAVE WILL ALSO BE THERE.

MEANING WE WON'T ACCEPT I CAN'T DO IT, I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T REMEMBER.

WE AS TEACHERS WE SET HIGH EXPECTATIONS OURSELVES AND OUR STUDENTS.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PUSHING THEM LETTING THEM KNOW WE ARE THERE FOR THEM.

AND USUALLY IN THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR WE START OUT WITH PRETESTS IN EVERY SUBJECT.

AND WE'LL KEEP DOING THAT.

AND THE PRETEST ALLOWS TO US SEE WHERE OUR STUDENTS ARE.

AND IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GROW THEM AND MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE AND GROW THEM FROM THAT POINT.

BENCHMARKS MAY BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT BECAUSE THERE MAY BE A DEFICIT, I DON'T WANT TO SAY THAT, BUT MAY LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

TEACHERS ARE SUPER HUMAN ON AND WE HAVE TO BE SUPER HUMAN GOING BACK IN AUGUST.

AND MAKING SURE THAT WE GET OUR KIDS BACK INTO THE SPIRIT OF LEARNING AND MAKING SURE THEY KNOW WE ARE THERE TORE THEM.

AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST AND WORK OUR MAGIC.

THANKS.

DR.

BRUMLY YOU MENTIONED'S MANIES.

AND ONE IS THE LEAP TEST.

WHAT DO WE DO WITH LEAP NEXT YEAR AND ACCOUNTABILITY?

WHERE ARE WE THINKING ABOUT THAT?

THERE WILL BE A CERTAIN LEVEL OF LEARNING LAWS COMING BACK INTO THE BUILDINGS.

WE SEE THAT EVERY SUMMER.

STUDENTS COME THIS AFTER TWO MONTHS AWAY FROM THE BUILDING.

AND WHERE STUDENTS HAVE NOT BEEN IN OUR SCHOOL BUILDING SINCE MARCH.

WE CAN ONLY BELIEVE THAT WILL EXACERBATE THAT LEARNING LOSS.

WE ARE ASKING THEM TO CONDUCT A SCREENER IN GRADES THREE AND ABOVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT IS SHORT AND SWEET.

BUT GIVE US A SENSE WHERE OUR STUDENTS ARE IN LITERACY AND MATHEMATICS AND OUR TEACHERS WILL TAKE THE INFORMATION, THEY ARE FRONTLINE EMPLOYEES AND ESSENTIAL AND HEROES, AND TAKE THE INFORMATION AND MOVE THE STUDENTS FROM THAT POINT.

WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THE CHILDREN ARE, TO KNOW WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF THAT, AND THAT HELPS US DRIVE POLICY DECISIONS AND RESOURCE DECISION MOVING FORWARD.

WE ARE ASKING THEM TO CONDUCT THE ASSESSMENTS IN LITERACY AND MATHEMATICS.

THE NEXT QUESTION IS BY VIDEO FROM ANOTHER STUDENT WITH THE YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL.

I AM GOING TO BE A JUNIOR.

MY QUESTION IS.

WHAT ARE THE CHANGES THAT WILL AFFECT SPORTS, ACTIVITIES AND EXTRACURRICULAR?

WE ALSO HAD A QUESTION FROM A PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER?

EVERY EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY WILL LOOK DIFFERENT BUT IN TERMS OF PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND OTHER PRO CAUTIONS IN PLACE.

OBVIOUSLY SOCIAL DISTANCING IS HARDER WITH 4-YEAR-OLDS IN A PRE-K CLASS.

AND IN TERMS OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION.

WE HAVE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES LIKE BAND OR CHOIR THAT COULD BE PROBLEMATIC.

WE HAVE SPECIFIC STANDARDS IN PLACE FOR ALL THE DIFFERENT AREAS.

AND WE ARE ASKING INDIVIDUALS IF THEY HAVE QUESTIONS TO LOOK TO THE DEPARTMENT WEBSITE AT LOUISIANA BELIEVES AND THE STRONG START GUIDANCE.

FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE AS A COUNSELOR.

HOW IMPORTANT ARE THE YOUTH ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS IN TERMS OF THE MENTAL HEALTH AND THE SOCIAL WELL BEING OF STUDENTS.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND THE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ARE VERY IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS.

IT HELPS WITH LIKE YOU SAID SOCIAL WELL BEING AND WE ALTHOUGH THAT CLASS STUDIES SHOW THAT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY HELPS WITH MANAGING ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.

WHAT DR.

BRUMLY SAID EARLIER FLEXIBILITY IS REQUIRED IN THIS SITUATION.

WE ARE ALL NAVIGATING UNKNOWN TERRITORY.

AND HOPEFULLY, PARENTS CAN ALLOW FOR SOME TYPE OF -- ACTIVITY AT HOME -- A PLAN OUTSIDE OR WALKING.

-- IT'S IMPORTANT AND WE KNOW WHY.

THE SPORTS WILL BE CANCELED AND OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE STUDENTS BE CLOSE TOGETHER WILL BE CANCELED.

WE HAVE TO FIND THE ACTIVITIES THAT ARE SAFE.

THAT IS ON THE MINDS OF A LOT OF PARENTS AND STUDENTS.

I KNOW.

WE HAVE ANOTHER VIDEO QUESTION FROM A TEACHER.

MY NAME IS LISA MORGAN.

I AM WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD AND SERVE AS A TEACHER IN HIGH SCHOOL.

MY QUESTION WOULD BE, COULD WITH WE OPEN UP IN PHASES STARTING OFF WHERE STUDENTS, WHOSE LAST NAMES A THROUGH N CERTAIN DAYS -- AND ALTERNATE.

AND THEN BRING ALL STUDENTS IN ON A DAILY BASIS.

DOCTOR CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE THAT?

THAT IS HOW WE SET IT UP.

PHASE ONE, PHASE TWO, AND PHASE THREE LOOKS DIFFERENT AND THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS ACROSS THE STATE ARE WORKING THROUGH HOW TO OPERATE IN THE DIFFERENT PHASES AND MANY ARE DOING WHAT THE TEACHER INDICATED.

AND WHAT IS IMPORTANT AS WE WORK THROUGH THIS IS MAINTAINING COMMUNICATION AMONG SYSTEM LEADERS AND TEACHERS TO UNDERSTAND THE BEST PRACTICES.

I THINK WE'LL SEE A TON OF INNOVATION OUT OF THIS.

I THINK WE'LL COME OUT OF THE VIRUS WITH THE VACCINE IN THE FUTURE WITH THE ABILITY TO MOVE PAST IT.

AND WE'LL COME OUT WITH INNOVATIONS WE NEVER WOULD HAVE SEEN.

THAT IS WHAT SCHOOL PEOPLE DO WE FIGURE IT OUT AND FIND A WAY TORE OUR KIDS AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT YOU'LL SEE MOVING THROUGH THIS SITUATION.

I THINK WE ARE SEEING QUITE A LOT OF THAT RIGHT NOW.

LET ME TURN TO YOU DR.

CORVILLE.

YOU DEAL WITH A LOT OF TEACHERS WEIGHING THE WHOLE THING ABOUT COMING BACK.

THEY WANT TO ON ONE HAND BUT HAVE CONCERNS?

WE TALK TO TEACHERS EVERY DAY AND EVERY SINGLE PARRISH IS DIFFERENT.

AND BATON ROUGE OR SHREVEPORT OR NEW ORLEANS THEY ARE RESERVATIONS.

WHERE THE COVID 19 WAS BAD.

THEY HAVE ANXIETY FOR THEMSELVES AND THE STUDENTS AND LOGISTICS.

THIS HAS SHOWN US AS A PEOPLE AS A SOCIETY HOW LITTLE IS THIS OUR CONTROL.

AND EVERYONE ACKNOWLEDGES ALL THE WORK WE DO TO MINIMIZE RISK.

MINIMIZES RISK.

EDUCAORS KNOW THERE IS RISK.

I WILL NEVER FORGET THE FIRST YEAR AS TEACHER HOW MANY TIME I GOT SICK BECAUSE MY IMMUNE SYSTEM WAS TRYING TO BUILD UP WITH ALL THE CONTACT FROM THE KIDS.

WE ALL REMEMBER THAT.

THIS IS A SITUATION WHERE TEACHERS FEEL ANXIETY AND I WANT TO TURN TO THE WORDS FROM THE PRESIDENT SANDY HOLLAWAY, SHE SPOKE ON COMPASSION AND I WOULD URGE IT'S GENERAL PUBLIC AND EVERYONE AT ALL LEVELS OF OUR DISTRICTS AND STATE TO HAVE COMPASSION FOR TEACHERS AS WE TRY TO WORK ON THIS AND FIGURE IT OUT AND MOVE FORWARD.

ABSOLUTELY.

THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR THIS SEGMENT.

THANK YOU SUPERINTENDANT BRUMLY AND MISS JACKSON AND MISS SIMMONS FOR YOUR INPUT.

FIND OUT MORE BY CLICKING IT'S STRONG START LINK AT LPB.ORG.

AND LOUISIANA UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES ARE WORKING TO REOPEN THEIR CAMPUSES TO STUDENTS.

SOME MAY USE THE HYBRID MODEL ONLINE AND IN-PERSON CLASSES.

THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO REDUCE IT'S SIZE OF THE CLASSES AND WEAR MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING.

THEY ACCOUNT FOR THE LARGEST RISE IN CORONAVIRUS CASES.

WE SPOKE WITH TWO STUDENTS AND THEIR CONCERNS.

MY NAME IS KALLIE WYNN I'M A JUNIOR AT LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY.

I'M ON THE PREMED TRACK.

IT HIT MY DAD AND HE WENT ON UNEMPLOYMENT AND THAT LEFT MY MOM BEING THE SOLE PROVIDER FOR THE FAMILY AND I DIDN'T WANT ALL THE PRESSURE ON HER.

I ALSO TOOK A COUPLE OF JOBS.

AND IT'S A LOT OF STRESS ON ME BECAUSE OF HOW I AM BEING A FULL-TIME STUDENT AS WELL AS A PART-TIME JOB.

MY NAME IS KATIE AND I'M A SENIOR IN MASS COMMUNICATION AT LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY.

ALTHOUGH I MUCH PREFER A HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCE, I THINK THE TRANSITION TO ONLINE LEARNING WAS A BIT EASIER FOR ME AS A MATH COMMUNICATION STUDENT.

BECAUSE IT'S MAJORITY OF MY ASSIGNMENTS ARE PROJECTS OR PAPERS.

THINGS THAT ARE FAIRLY EASY TO COMPLETE REMOTELY.

I WAS IN A MICRO BIOLOGY LAB AT THE TIME AND WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT IS WENT FROM DOING THE HANDS ON EXPERIMENT THIS THE LABS TO BASICALLY NOT REALLY DOING ANY SORT OF EXPERIMENTS.

SO I THINK THAT IS WHERE WITH WE SACRIFICE IN OUR EDUCATION WE ARE NOT GETTING THAT EXPERIENCE IN THE LABORATORY SETTING OR LABORATORY CLASS.

THAT IS WHAT THE CLASS IT SUPPOSE TO BE FOR.

MY QUESTION WAS A LOT LIKE EVERYONE ELSE NOW, WHAT WILL IT LOOK LIKE.

WE KNOW THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT BUT DON'T KNOW THE EXTENT OF THE DIFFERENCES.

WILL ORGANIZATIONS HOLD MEETING IN PERSON.

WILL STUDENTS BE ABLE TO ATTEND FOOTBALL GAMES?

I AM NERVOUS AND ANXIOUS TO MOVE BACK TO CAMPUS DURING THE FALL.

WE DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS GOING TO BE ANOTHER PEAK IN THE PANDEMIC.

WE DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS GOING TO BE STUDENTS WHO WILL ENGAGE IN PROPER MASK USAGE OR PROPER GLOVE USAGE AND SOCIAL DISTANCING.

BECAUSE WE ARE COLLEGE STUDENTS.

I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE UNIVERSITY IS DOING EVERYTHING THEY POSSIBLY CAN TO GIVE ACE FALL SEMESTER AND KEEPING US SAFE AND HEALTHY IT'S OUR JOB AS STUDENTS TO BE UNDERSTANDING AND ACCOMMODATING TO THE CHANGES.

JOINING HE TO EXPLORE WHAT THE CHANGES FOR STUDENTS WILL BE IS DR.

KIM REED THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION XS AND DR.

FELLMAN.

AND TYSON LEE THE TWO TERM STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT FROM LSU SHREVEPORT.

DOCTOR, I I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

WHAT WILL STUDENTS EXPECT WHEN THEY SHOW UP FOR THE BEGINNING OF CLASS THIS SEMESTER.

IT'S A GREAT QUESTION, OBVIOUSLY I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT THE EDUCATION WILL CONTINUE.

IT WILL LOOK DIFFERENT AND FEEL DIFFERENT AND OBVIOUSLY WE THINK ABOUT SAFETY FIRST.

AND ALL OF THE SAFETY PROTOCOLS MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING AND GRAB AND GO MEALS AND ALL OF THOSE SCENES WILL BE HAPPENING FOR STUDENTS AND WE WILL NOT STOP EDUCATING OUR STUDENTS.

WE WILL BE IN-PERSON AND ONLINE CLASSES.

WE ARE PLANNING AND WORKING HARD SINCE EARLY JUNE TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE PLANS OUT SO ALL OF OUR HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERS, FACULTY, AND STUDENT LEADERS LIKE TYSON.

ALL OF THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS ARE ALL ON IT'S SAME PAGE TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE DO IT SAFELY.

OUR MESSAGE IS FOR STUDENTS DON'T DEFER YOUR DREAMS WE'LL DO IT SAFELY AND WE ARE ALL IN IT TOGETHER.

IT WILL LOOK AND FEEL DIFFERENT BUT THE EDUCATION MUST CONTINUE.

THAT IS ENCOURAGING.

YOU TALK ABOUT A HYBRID MODEL WITH THE COMMUNITY TECHNICAL SYSTEM IN SOME AREAS THAT WORKS FINE ESPECIALLY ON THE TECHNICAL SIDE WERE SOME MUCH IS HORNS ON THAT IS CHALLENGE.

YOU ARE RIGHT.

AT OUR COLLEGES THERE ARE THOSE LAB SETTINGS AND HANDS ON TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT REQUIRE STUDENTS TO BE IN A LAB.

TO HAVE THE EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS CHECKOFFS AND WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE STUDENTS COME BACK IN THE FALL.

THIS IS AN UNUSUAL SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES AND THERE IS UNCERTAINTY AND WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO EDUCATE AND SKILL OUR PEOPLE WE CANNOT ALLOW THIS ENVIRONMENT TO CONTINUE TO IMPACT OUR ECONOMY NEGATIVELY.

AND GIVING THEM A CHANCE TO GET BACK INTO THE ECONOMY IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

YOU SEE WELDING LABS WITH STUDENTS SPACED EVERY OTHER WELDING BOOTH.

AND SOME SETTINGS THEY CAN WEAR MASKS AND SOME THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO WEAR MASKS.

WE HAVE TO HAVE DIFFERENCES MONTHE CONTENT AREAS BUT WE BELIEVE IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO TEACH AND CONTINUING TO EDUCATE AND SKILL PEOPLE PARTICULARLY IN HEALTH CARE RELATED ROLES BUT ACROSS ALL THE OCCUPATIONAL FIELDS.

LET ME ASK YOU THIS TOO.

YOU RECEIVED SOME FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT WERE ALLOCATED TO HAVE A QUICK TURN AROUND TO BUMP UP THE TRAINING WE ARE DOING.

DO YOU SEE A SURGE FROM THAT FRMG WE HAVE 300,000 PEOPLE THIS THE STATE OF LOUISIANA THAT ARE UNEMPLOYED TODAY RECEIVING UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE.

THE FEDERAL BENEFIT IS LIKELY TO END AROUND THE 25th OF JULY.

THEN WILL COME TO THE CAMPUS.

AND WE HAVE AN INITIATIVE REBOOT LOUISIANA.

IT GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO GET SHORT-TERM SKILL TRAINING TO GET THEM BACK INTO THE ECONOMY.

LOUISIANA'S ECONOMY IS DIFFERENT TODAY THAN REQUIRE TO THE MARCH PANDEMIC.

AS A RESULT OF THAT YOU NEED THE SKILLS TO PARTICIPATE FULLY AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR FAMILIES.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU SEEK OUT YOUR COMMUNITY OR TECHNICAL COLLEGE AND SEEK OUT THE OPPORTUNITIES TO GAIN THE SKILLS TO GET BACK IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND TYSON AS A STUDENTS GETTING READY TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL IN AUGUST.

WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS PERSONALLY.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE AND ALLOWING IT'S STUDENT REPRESENTATION ON THIS PANEL DISCUSSION.

I SERVED AS A MEDIA PASSED CHAIR OF STUDENT COUNSEL PRESIDENT.

AND THE ORGANIZATION CONSISTS OF PRESIDENTS OF ALL PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES OF LOUISIANA AND ONE THING I HEAR FROM MY PEERS IS GENERAL CONCERNS WE ALL SHARE ABOUT THE UNCERTAINTY OF GOING BACK TO COLLEGE.

AND ONE SPECIFIC THING THAT WAS A PROBLEM TO SHED LIGHT ON MARCH.

WAS THE DIGITAL DIVIDE.

THERE WAS MANY OF MY PEERS AND STUDENTS OUT HERE THAT HAD TO FINISH COLLEGE ON THEIR CELL PHONE.

OR GO TO PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND SIT IN THE PARKING LOT TO ACCESS WIFI OR INTERNET OR PURCHASE LAPTOPS OR PERFECT WIFI OR INTERNET.

I THINK A HYBRID MODEL IS STILL A CHALLENGE.

BUT IT'S IT'S UNCERTAINTY OF THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE AND GATHERING AND EVENTS AND FOOTBALL GAMES AND BASKETBALL GAMES AND GOING TO COLLEGE AND CAMPUS AND TALKING TO YOUR PROFESSORS FACE-TO-FACE AND MENTAL SUPPORT WHEN YOU GET TO TALK TO PEOPLE PHYSICALLY.

AND ACROSS THE STATE THE STUDENTS ARE UNCERTAIN HOW IT WILL LOOK.

BECAUSE WE ALL WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

AND WE WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND SAFE AT THE SAME TIME.

THAT IS DIFFERENT FOR SURE FOR A LOT OF STUDENTS.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS FROM STUDENTS.

MY NAME IS OLIVIA BAILEY AND I'M A SENIOR FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA.

MY QUESTION IS WHAT DO YOU SAY TO PARENTS THAT ARE HESITANT OF SENDING THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL THIS FALL.

I AM ABOUT TO SEND A CHILD TO SCHOOL IN THE FALL.

WE HAVE MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR STUDENTS.

WHETHER ARE YOU COMFORTABLE SENDING YOUR STUDENTS TO CAMPUS OR YOU WANT YOUR STUDENT TO LEARN REMOTELY.

WHATEVER THE SITUATION IS BEST FOR YOUR FAMILY, WE HAVE AN TUN TO CONTINUE TO EDUCATE YOUR STUDENT.

SO FOR PARENTS WE WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING CONTINUES.

AND WE ACCOMMODATE STUDENTS AND PARENTS AND WE ARE LISTENING AND DOING IT SAFELY BUT WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO EDUCATE.

THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

DR.

SULLIVAN TO FOLLOW-UP ON THAT.

ESPECIALLY WITH THE COMMUNITY TECHNICAL COLLEGES?

FOR A STUDENT LIKE THE ONE YOU JUST HEARD.

BE AWARE THERE ARE LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES IN THIS INSTANCE THE STUDENT HAS THE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THEIR BACKYARD IN ST.

CHARLES.

THAT COULD BE AN OPTION IF THEY CHOOSE NOT TO GO BACK TO THE UNIVERSITY SETTING.

WHATEVER THE CONCERN MAY BE.

THERE ARE LOCAL OPTIONS AND SAFE OPTIONS BUT TO ALLOW THEM TO CONTINUE TO BE EDUCATED AND PURSUE OTHER EDUCATIONAL PURSUITS SO THEY ARE NOT STOPPING THEIR EDUCATION BUT CONTINUING TO MAKE PROGRESS EVEN IN THE MIDST OF THE HEALTH CIRCUMSTANCE.

WE HAVE ANOTHER STUDENT QUESTION.

MY NAME IS NICK HOPKINS A SENIOR AT NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY.

MY QUESTION IS WILL THE PASS-FAIL OPTION BE OFFERED TO STUDENTS DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY COVID 19.

WHAT DO WE EXPECT TO SEE ACROSS THE STATE.

THE CREDIT-NONE CREDIT WAS SOMETHING POPULAR WITH STUDENTS THEY WERE DISRUPTED BY THE PANDEMIC AND WE RAPIDLY WENT TO REMOTE LEARNING.

AND I AM PROUD FOR THE FACULTY AND STAFF WHO MADE PHONE CALLS AND SET UP CALL CENTERS TO CALL THE STUDENTS TO SEE HOW THEY WERE DOING.

WAS THIS WORKING AND WHAT COULD WE DO FOR THEM.

AND WE DID THAT IN THE SPRING.

OBVIOUSLY THE CONVERSATIONS OF CREDIT NO CREDIT WILL OCCUR MOVING FORWARD ON CAMPUSES.

BUT THAT WAS AN EMERGENCY POLICY ALONG WITH A NUMBER OF OTHER POLICIES.

THAT WERE NEEDED.

THE COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES IN THE SAME SITUATION?

WE DID NOT HAVE THE PASS-FAIL OPTION IN PLACE FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER.

I AM HEARTENED THAT THE FACULTY TOOK THE TIME TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL THE STUDENTS.

THE PAST SEMESTER HAD THE LOWEST DROP-OFF RATE IN OUR SYSTEM.

BECAUSE OF THE FACULTY REACHING OUT TO MAKE SURE THE STUDENTS MEET THEIR EDUCATIONAL GOALS.

I AM EXCITED TO SEE WHAT WE EMBRACE IN THE FALL SEMESTER.

DR.

REED LET ME ASK YOU THIS.

WHAT DO WE KNOW RIGHT NOW ABOUT THE OPENING OF ATHLETICS IN THE FALL?

WE SAW THAT THE WAC POSTPONED THEIR SEASON.

DO YOU KNOW WHERE WE MIGHT BE?

I DO NOT.

THE CONFERENCES ARE LOOKING AT THAT AND LOOKING AT STUDENT SAFETY AS YOU MENTIONED.

THEY HAVE POSTPONED AND MY DAUGHTER PLAYS VOLLEYBALL OUT OF STATE AND THAT IS POSTPONED AND WE SEE A LOT OF THAT.

BUT THE BIGGEST CONVERSATION IS SOCIAL SETTINGS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS.

YOU MENTIONED THAT THE BIGGEST INCREASE, A LARGE INCREASE WE SEE IS STUDENTS AGE 19 TO 26 AND MOST OF THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS IN THAT AGE GROUP IS SOCIAL SETTINGS.

THAT MEANS WE HAVE A RESPONSIBLITY AS EDUCATORS NOT JUST TO EDUCATE THEM SAFELY BUT OPPORTUNITIES TO SOCIALIZE SAFELY IN THEIR DORMS OR CAMPUSES.

THE CAMPUS COULD DO EVERYTHING RIGHT BUT IF THE STUDENTS WANDER OUT INTO A BIG GROUP WE COULD HAVE A VIRUS OUTBREAK ON THE CAMPUS.

THAT IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF THE PUZZLE THIS ALL OF THE UNCERTAINTY.

TYSON, LET ME GIVE YOU THE LAST WORD ON THAT.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY TO PEERS AND OTHER STUDENTS.

SCHOOLS ARE TAKING GOOD CARE OF STUDENTS THEY GO HOME OR GO OUT THINGS COULD CHANGE?

EXACTLY.

WE KNOW NOW THAT THE HIGHEST RATE OF COVID 19 IS IN OUR AGE GROUP.

19 TO 30-YEAR-OLDS.

I WOULD SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, WE MAY HAVE TAKEN COLLEGE AND ALL THE POSITIVE THINGS WE GET FROM THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE FOR GRANTED PRECOVID 19.

AND NOW THAT COVID STRIPPED UP FROM GOING TO CAMPUS AND MAKING NEW FRIENDS AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES WITH OUR ADMINISTRATORS OR EDUCATORS.

ALL OF THE POSITIVE THINGS WE RECEIVE BY GOING TO COLLEGE NOW IT'S GONE, I THINK THERE IS EVEN A BIGGER CALL TO ACTION FOR US TO MASK UP AND DO WHAT THE EXPERTS ARE TELLING US TO DO TO GET IT BACK.

SO WE CAN HAVE A SUCCESSFUL FALL SEMESTER AND NOT HAVE TO SPONTANEOUSLY GO BACK ONLINE ACTUALLY.

BECAUSE THERE MAY BE A BIGGER OUTBREAK.

I WOULD SAY TO ALL OF MY PEERS WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE LEADERS NOW.

WE ARE IN COLLEGE TO BE LEADERS IN THE FUTURE BUT NOW IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO BE LEADERS AND MASK UP.

NOT JUST ON CAMPUS BUT OFF CAMPUS.

AND SOCIAL DISTANCING ON CAMPUS AND OFF CAMPUS AND BE RESPONSIBLE.

IF YOU SEE YOUR FRIENDS AND YOU MAY HAVE PEERS THAT MAY NOT WANTS TO PRACTICE THE PRECAUTIONS BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOURSELF AND ADVOCATE FOR YOUR PEERS AS WELL.

IF YOU ARE POSITIVE AROUND YOUR PEERS THAT COULD RUB OFF ON THEM AS WELL.

KNOW YOU AND OTHER STUDENTS PROVIDE A LOT OF LEADERSHIP AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.

THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR OUR PROGRAM.

THANK YOU DR.

REED, DR.

SULLIVAN AND TYSON AND ALL OF OUR PANELISTS FOR PARTICIPATING TONIGHT.

YOU CAN FIND LPB ONLINE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND THE SCHEDULE AT LPB.ORG/AT HOME.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.