In-person learning delayed

The New Mexico Department of Health and the Public Education Department on Friday announced a delay in the return to in-person learning to Jan. 18 after the winter break to help mitigate a possible post-holiday surge in COVID-19 cases and minimize the risk of exposure.

Details include:

• No in-person learning will be permitted during the weeks of Jan. 4 and Jan. 11.

• Schools previously in the hybrid model may return to those schedules the week of Jan. 18. In addition, those operating small-group instruction in the remote stance may begin welcoming their 5-to-1 groups of kindergarten to third grade and special education students back to school beginning Jan. 18.

• All local education authorities must participate in increased surveillance testing after the winter break.

• Surveillance testing will be required for 10% of onsite staff for at least two weeks before offering in-person student services.

The announcement Friday affected Tucumcari and Logan schools, both which were scheduled to resume in-person classes for elementary through third-grade children Jan. 4.

San Jon and House schools, however, had announced weeks before they would not resume in-person classes until Jan. 18.

“We are hopeful that with these additional mitigation efforts, we will be able to welcome many more students back into their classrooms in the new year. Our children have experienced a school year unlike any other, and while we are proud of their resiliency and perseverance, we are eager to see them amongst their peers and thriving back in school,” Education Secretary Ryan Stewart said.