Most families oppose in-person learning
Survey of city’s families shows 64.5% were uncomfortable with returning to school
The most recent survey from Ferndale Schools— completed before Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s recently announced COVID-19 limits amid skyrocketing infection rates — show a majority of families oppose in-person learning.
The school district received parent and guardian survey responses over a 19-day period ending Oct. 25. Coronavirus cases and deaths began a precipitous climb as the survey ended.
The bottom line: 64.5% of respondents indicated they were uncomfortable returning to school — three weeks before the governor even announced new measures going into effect on Wednesday.
Nearly a third of those respondents suggested they could change their minds as more information was known. Over 20 percent were against returning to schools at all this year, and more than 11 percent would favor going back to classes only if there were a vaccine distributed first. The most common write-in response — about 2 percent of those surveyed —was in favor a hybrid of
virtual and in-person learning
By contrast, a third of those who filled out the survey, wanted in-person classes to resume immediately if safety guidelines were followed.
“I think the survey results showed a lot of correlation between Ferndale families and the governor’s message” on Sunday, said Ferndale Schools Superintendent Dania Bazzi.
Last month, Ferndale school officials, like those in Royal Oak and districts throughout the region, had discussed returning to classroom learning at least on a partial basis for elementary students while keeping the option for virtual learning open.
But moves to return to classes ended after the Oakland County Health Division recommended there was a high-risk generally for spreading COVID-19.
Ferndale Schools has maintained virtual learning since the pandemic began. The only classes being held in the district are for special education, limited preschool and English learning services, Bazzi said.
A small number of students have gone to school to use computer labs or get breakfast or lunch.
“The governor’s order doesn’t impact what we’re doing too much,” Bazzi said, “except that it suspends all athletics as well as extracurricular activities …”
While those who favor returning to classes are a minority in Ferndale and neighboring districts, they share one point of agreement with most others about what classroom learning offers when it is safe.
School officials and parents generally agree that there is no replacement for classroom learning.
“I think there is a concern about the mental health aspects of being away from in-person learning in schools, and the social and emotional learning students are afforded when they are learning in person,” Bazzi said.
Ferndale school officials plan to do another survey that starts at the end of the month and continues in December, with results expected around Dec. 18, she added.
“As soon as we feel it’s safe to go back, we will,” Bazzi said.