Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2020-07-22

Duration: 00:56:52

Subjects: Filmed panel discussions | Public health | COVID-19 pandemic | Coronaviruses | Education | HIGHER EDUCATION

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Erwin, Barry Host
• Gautreaux, Kevin Producer
• Johnson, Phyllis Interviewee
• Temple, Olivette Panelist
• Sonnier, Libbie Panelist
• Bolton, Michael Panelist
• Jackson, Lyndsey Speaker
• Kennedy, William Interviewee
• Brumley, Cade Panelist
• Courville, Keith Panelist
• Jackson, Earmer Panelist
• Simmons, Kesha Panelist
• Fergins, Dana Speaker
• Langlois, Ali Speaker
• Morgan, Lisa Speaker
• Nguyen, Calli Interviewee
• Deshotel, Caylee Interviewee
• Reed, Kim Hunter Panelist
• Sullivan, Monty Panelist
• Lee, Tyson Panelist
• Bailey, Olivia Speaker
• Hopkins, Nick Speaker

This episode of the series “Louisiana Public Square” from July 22, 2020, features Barry Erwin leading a discussion with panelists answering viewer questions on the plans for reopening early learning centers, K-12 schools, and college and university campuses for the new school year in the midst of the COVID-19, or coronavirus, pandemic. The panelists are: Olivette Temple of the Childcare Association of Louisiana; Dr. Libbie Sonnier, the executive director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children; Dr. Michael Bolton of the Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge; Louisiana Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley; Dr. Keith Courville, the executive director of the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana; Earmer Jackson, an educator in East Baton Rouge Parish; Kesha Simmons, the president-elect of the Louisiana School Counselors Association; Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Kim Hunter Reed; Dr. Monty Sullivan, the president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System; and Tyson Lee, the student government president at LSU-Shreveport. This program also includes interviews with: Phyllis Johnson, the owner of A+ Daycare and Learning Center in Maurice; Superintendent William Kennedy of the Claiborne Parish Schools; Calli Nguyen, a junior at LSU; and Caylee Deshotel, a senior at LSU. The panelists discuss: the risks for children in spreading COVID-19; safety precautions for students; accommodating children with special needs; the Louisiana Department of Education’s minimum standards for safely reopening schools; teachers’ concerns; school transportation; the mental health needs of students; the hybrid model of virtual and in-person learning; enforcing mask mandates; the need for more Internet connectivity around the state; the plans for sports and extracurricular activities; and the concerns of college students. Hosts: Beth Courtney and Barry Erwin