What's next IN middle school?

After making it through this spring with COVID-19 many teachers are asking whats next.  Unfortunately there is no clear answer other than we know things are changing.  Every state, city and municipality has different factors influencing decisions about fall 2020.    How do we as educators deal with these changing factors when much of it is out of our hands?   Looking at the behaviors of colleges and universities will provide insights into what will happen in schools.  After all, when many major universities began shutting down in the spring, this set the bar for everyone else.  In light of all this, I would urge you to begin reading about the concept of a "Hy Flex" classroom.  This instructional model has many of the elements of flipped and blended learning.  The idea is a classroom can quickly convert from face to face to online instruction.  In some instances a student would have the option to choose which method they want (Not sure what teacher on the planet Earth has time to plan for this one).   This concept makes me wonder if schools will adopt a more proactive shutdown approach to illness.  We have all been in classroom when the flu hits and half the kids are gone.  Will this model be used as a method of flexible instruction if schools shutdown again?  Only time will tell. Here's a few links to better understand this trend and what may be coming to your classroom.    

Inside Higher Ed:  Hy Flex Courses
Educause:  7 Things you should know about the high flex classroom.
Hybrid Flexible Course Design