Survey opens door to online classes next year
Pottsgrove School District officials are asking parents about their preferences for the school year that starts this fall, including the possibility that some families may prefer online classes due to the persistence of the coronavirus pandemic.
intendent who The will letter William no from longer Super- Shirk, be with the school district when these final options are chosen, makes it clear that there is no guarantee all three options outlined in the letter will be available from the start of the 2021-2022 school year in late August.
“To be clear, a great deal of continued planning will be necessary to convert this from vision to reality. However, the district would benefit from parent feedback during the planning process. This communication does not suggest that only one learning option will be available,” shirk wrote.
The three options about which families are being asked are:
• Conventional, in-person instruction;
• Asynchronous online instruction in which a student works remotely “at her own pace and time;”
• Synchronous online instruction in which “the student works remotely but meets for online classes every day.”
“Please understand that the district will use this information to prepare for next school year. However, the district cannot yet commit to every option being available,” “Shirk wrote.
President Joe Biden has made reopening schools a top priority, but administrators say there is much to consider as new strains of the coronavirus appear and teachers wait their turn for vaccinations, according to an Associated Press report.
Biden, in an early executive order, directed his education secretary to provide “evidence-based guidance” and advice to schools to safely conduct in-person learning.
And while many parents are demanding that schools fully reopen, others say they won’t feel safe sending children back to classrooms until vaccines are available to even young students.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top public health expert, said late last month the Biden administration hopes to begin vaccinating children by late spring or early summer, AP reported.
By then, districts will be deep into preparations for the next school year.
The pivot to distance learning last march has proved a lifeline for the education system, but concerns have grown with each passing month about the effects on racial inequities, students’ academic performance, attendance and their overall well-being.
Pottsgrove, like other area districts, is trying to find the best path to balance all those concerns and the survey is the district’s attempt to get the community’s temperature on their preferences.
“We recognize that it may be difficult to plan for next school year at this time. Please recognize that this survey is simply intended to monitor potential interest,” “Shirk wrote. “In no way does this indicate your finalized choice for next school year.”
The survey is open until Friday, Feb. 26.