Tucson Standard

Arizona has released guidelines put together by education officials on how to safely reopen schools, Eastern Arizona Courier reported. 

The "roadmap" put together gives local schools different ways to consider on how to proceed with the upcoming school year. It allows school districts to decide the best course of action. 

In the guidelines, physical distancing of students and limited seating on school buses are among the options. The roadmap also encourages staff and students to stay home when sick and to screen for COVID-19 symptoms, according to the Eastern Arizona Courier. Small class sizes are also being encouraged. 

Despite the guidelines, Arizona needs to be sure students and staff will remain safe in the upcoming school year. 

"I think it's important for all of us to acknowledge that this is about decreasing risk," Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman told the Eastern Arizona Courier. "But in our school settings, it's almost impossible to completely eliminate the risk. A school is a place where people congregate, where kids come together and adults come together, so there's always going to be some level of risk."

To help reduce the risk, the guidelines are encouraging schools to have students and staff wear masks and implement social distancing when possible. But Hoffman said none of the guidelines are mandatory and schools can make the ultimate decision on how to stay safe themselves. 

"This is not a one-size-fits all," Hoffman told the Eastern Arizona Courier. "This is meant to be flexible and adaptable to help our school leaders think through all different types of scenarios and work within their own communities to create plans that are best for their unique needs."