Johnston's school reopening process smooth thus far

School reopenings across the state have largely gone smoothly thus far, and Johnston is no exception.

According to the Department of Health, for every school in the state for which there is recorded data, none of them have exceeded between 10 and 14 positive coronavirus cases through the first month of in-person learning.

None of Johnston’s institutions have surpassed the “fewer than five” threshold as of yet, as Superintendent of Schools Bernard DiLullo and his administration have taken a measured approach that takes into account the safety of every student in the district.

In a recent interview with the Sun Rise, DiLullo explained why he thought Johnston has been able to avoid COVID-19 outbreaks thus far. His answer was simple: Students and teachers have followed the protocols stringently.

“As the governor [Gina Raimondo] mentioned, what seemed what’s happening is small groups of people getting together and not following the protocols,” DiLullo told the Sun Rise. “In school, we’re making sure we’re following masking procedures, following distancing between people, keeping the rooms ventilated appropriately, cleaning pretty extensively. We’re definitely following those protocols, and hopefully that’s what’s happening in the community as well.”

In September, when Raimondo approved a return to full, in-person learning for every district, save for Providence and Central Falls, DiLullo expected to meet the challenge. The governor had expressed dissatisfaction with districts like Warwick, which voted immediately to begin with full virtual learning, even before she made her announcement.

Johnston, on the other hand, submitted the requested plan to the state that included three separate approaches – full in-person learning, a partial return and distance learning. The town was prepared to take any of these paths, and DiLullo and his staff had the protocols ready to implement no matter what was chosen.

When Johnston was approved for a full return, DiLullo said he wished to have every student back in the hallways by Oct. 14. That hasn’t happened, as the district decided to take a month-by-month approach with the middle and high schools, keeping those kids on a hybrid model for the time being. Pre-K through fifth grade is back full-time.

While reviews have varied, it’s been the safest approach Johnston can take and the numbers bear that out. When schools reopened, there were a batch of cases at a few schools, but those with positive results were isolated immediately and classrooms were shut down.

DiLullo is also thinking forward to the winter – a season that will present entirely new obstacles to full, in-person learning as windows will likely remain shut. He’s joined a massive state order to obtain high efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filters that will ensure proper ventilation and quality as students remain distanced in the classroom.

The district has struggled a bit to find subs as well, on some days canceling in-person learning to accommodate the vacancy, but it has marched on regardless. DiLullo was optimistic that a state program, through the Highlander Institute, training a group of folks to become subs would come to fruition soon.

Johnston has put its best foot forward thus far during the reopening process, and the figures have remained low. However, everyone has to keep their eye on the ball going forward, as the virus is capricious and outbreaks can occur at any time. It’s been an excellent start for this district, though, as every day is a test for its protocols.