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Union officials say many schools are telling teachers to come back to campus Monday but department administrators insist it’s just for short online training for students.

The pandemic is allowing private instructors to offer small group lessons to parents who are wary of children returning to school campuses — and who can afford it.

Most neighbor island schools will now start with all distance learning as HSTA pressures the administration.

Parents may have to sign off that they “voluntarily assume the risk” of their child contracting COVID-19 in the classroom.

UPDATED. The announcement comes after calls from the state teachers union to move to online classrooms for the first quarter.

University researchers have produced estimates, visualized by The New York Times, that show how school size relates to COVID-19 infection rates.

The modified start follows a strong union-led push to provide more time for more teacher training and preparation.

The pandemic is spurring candidates to focus on how the Legislature and DOE will use limited funding for safety measures and access to distance learning.

Distance learning makes it possible to bring learning home — literally. But schools need to be flexible with schedules and deadlines.

The proposal still must be approved by the state Board of Education.