Teachers, other school employees, should be prioritized for childcare, governor says

As schools begin to reopen in the next few months, Gov. Newsom said teachers and other school employees need to be prioritized for child care along with other essential workers. But he said there is “more work to do” in providing enough child care options to meet the need.

He also acknowledged that distance learning is a challenge for parents and said the state’s “number one desire” is to reopen schools for in-person learning, when it is safe, so students can benefit academically, socially and emotionally. However, he noted that 35 counties are now on the state’s “monitoring list,” with the recent addition of Butte County in northern California, which restricts the ability of schools there to reopen and puts added stress on parents.

To help parents who are struggling to assist their children with distance learning, Newsom said the state and many schools and districts are producing webinars, including Los Angeles Unified. The state is also continuing to address the digital divide by working to provide devices and internet access to those who need it, he said, adding that he expects to make an announcement “very shortly” about these efforts.

And in response to a question about Facebook groups or learning “pods” some parents are creating to help their children with distance learning, Newsom said he encouraged that as a way to share ideas and resources. “That’s exactly what one would expect and hope for,” he said.