California schools are likely to remain closed for the rest of the academic year as the fight to contain the novel coronavirus continues, the state superintendent of public instruction told local officials Tuesday.
“Due to the current safety concerns and needs for ongoing social distancing it currently appears that our students will not be able to return to school campuses before the end of the school year,” state Superintendent Tony Thurmond wrote in a letter released to local school districts. “This is in no way to suggest that school is over for the year,” he continued, “but rather we should put all efforts into strengthening our delivery of education through distance learning.” Thurmond acknowledged that the extended closure could create hardships for some students, families and educators.
