Bartlett City Schools families face decisions
July 24 deadline set for virtual, in-person choice
What classrooms in Bartlett City Schools will look like in the fall semester depends greatly on how many parents choose the online-only option.
The district is allowing families to choose between in-person instruction (with a hybrid model for high school) and a 100% virtual option for the first nine weeks of school, which starts August 10. However, the district notes that the reopening plan is subject to change.
Families must make their choice by July 24 in the Powerschool software.
"Our team’s decision-making is driven by a desire to maintain the health and safety of our students while meeting the need for in-person academic instruction," the district wrote in its plan.
The decision to use a "hybrid" model with both in-person and virtual learning for grades 9-12 for the first nine weeks is contingent on the number of families who choose the online option, the district said in its plan.
Students in the virtual option will likely have Zoom sessions with a Bartlett teacher, will independently read materials, construct written responses, work math problems and participate in lessons, according to a Facebook comment from the district.
Students entering pre-kindergarten or kindergarten will start school on a staggered schedule one day during the first two weeks of school. Students attending school in-person Monday through Friday will have normal school hours.
For the elementary schools, the district expects enough families to choose the online option to allow the schools to limit the number of students in each classroom, creating social distance.
In the middle schools, the same is expected to apply, although they may also use extra spaces such as the gym or science laboratories in order to follow social distancing guidelines.
High school students are expected to combine face-to-face instruction with remote learning, separating into two groups that attend school on Monday/ Wednesday or a Tuesday/thursday schedule. Both groups will study remotely on Friday.
However, if enough families choose the virtual option, it is possible that the district will transition to traditional classes Monday-friday for the rest of the high school students since the reduced number will allow for social distancing, the district said in its plan.
Bartlett City Schools is also asking families to transport their children to school if they are able. Those needing transportation are asked to fill out that information in Powerschool.
Other aspects of the school day will also look different: Parents are asked to check temperatures of children before sending them to school. Any child with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or above or other COVID-19 symptoms should not attend school that day.
The district will enforce social distancing of six feet or more throughout the day “to the extent possible.”
“All students and staff will be encouraged to wear masks throughout the school day, and masks will be required in all communal spaces and in areas when social distancing of at least six feet cannot reasonably be maintained," the plan stated.
Field trips will be prohibited at least through the first nine weeks. Principals will work with club sponsors to decide which activities may be safe to resume, requiring that participants maintain six feet of distance between one another.
More details about the plan can be viewed at the district's website.