PALMDALE The Palmdale Aerospace Academy will begin the new school year on Aug. 17, six days later than originally planned, and using a distance learning model.

The charter schools Board of Directors held a special Board meeting on Tuesday to approve the schedule change and the distance learning model.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on July 17 ordered all schools in counties on the states monitoring list to remain closed for the start of the new school because of spiking COVID-19 cases.

TPAA Executive Director/Superintendent Matthew Winheim said once Newsoms order went out, as well as directives from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, it was clear what they needed to do.

We had a hunch from the beginning that we might need to do this, Winheim said. But the information coming from so many different sources was just unclear; how are they going to finally tell us were permitted to open.

After the governor issued his order, Winheim said it was clear the distance learning model was the way to go. In addition, the delayed start gives TPAA time for the online workshops that the parents will need to help their children.

We felt that it was incredibly important for us to be able to offer a series of webinars for our parents to know how they can support their students, Winheim said.

It also allows for more time to ensure technology has been properly cleaned and updated for students.

The extra time will also provide an opportunity for more robust training for the teaching staff in how to engage students in a distance learning model.

The Board agreed to open up in distance learning model for at least for the first eight weeks. Should the governors orders change, and the public health department allow, a hybrid model does exist.

We believe that its best for the kids to be here with their teachers and learning as much as possible, Winheim said. None of this is desirable. We would love to have our kids in their seats in a regular learning environment but it just isnt possible right this second.

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Aerospace Academy set to begin its new school year on Aug. 17 - Antelope Valley Press