LakeWalesNews.net - Communication Builds Our Community

Polk County Public Schools School Board members received an initial look at parents' intentions for the 2020-21 school year during the board's work session on Tuesday, July 28. The district also asked employees about their assignment preferences for the upcoming school year.

For a summary of the results so far and more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/y5kh99vl

The parent survey originally was set to close on July 27. That deadline has now been extended to 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 2.

The employee questionnaire closed on July 27, but the School Board decided to give employees until 5 p.m. Thursday July 30 to change their preference if they wish.

As of July 28 approximately 55,000 parents had completed the form. PCPS has an enrollment of 89,797, not including charter school students. Charter schools are developing their own reopening plans.

Acting Chief Academic Officer Michelle Townley presented initial results of the parent form to the School Board. Of those who had responded by July 28:

- 46 percent have selected campus learning

- 45 percent of families have selected Campus eSchool

- 9 percent have selected Polk Virtual

The district also asked employees about their preferences for the upcoming school year. Employees could select from the following options:

- Face-to-face assignment

- Polk Virtual assignment

- Campus eSchool assignment

- Equally comfortable with a face-to-face assignment, Polk Virtual assignment or Campus eSchool assignment

Of 5,977 teachers who completed the online questionnaire by July 28, 38.1 percent prefer a face-to-face assignment, 29.1 percent are equally comfortable with any type of assignment, 27.7 prefer a Campus eSchool assignment, and approximately 5.1 percent of respondents prefer a Polk Virtual assignment.

-During the July 28 School Board work session board members gave preliminary approval to the following requirements about face coverings. This language is expected to be added to the Code of Student Conduct for the 2020-21 school year:

Face Covering – GRADES K-12 (During any times when the wearing of a face covering is required by the District)

Students must wear a face covering that covers both the nose and mouth and fits snugly against the sides of a person's face with little or no gaps at all times to ensure their own safety and the safety of other students and staff. Students must wear the face covering at all times when on school grounds or district-provided transportation, unless the student is involved in an approved activity when a face covering would not be appropriate. All face coverings must comply with general dress code and school uniform requirements.

Again, please note that face coverings will be required for all students in grades K-12 who will be attending classes on PCPS campuses this year. Students may wear a face shield in addition to a face covering if they choose. We understand this will be a learning process for many students - particularly those in kindergarten and first grade - and our school employees will help students adjust to this new safety measure.

At this time, we are still recommending but not requiring face coverings for pre-K students. PCPS will also grant exemptions to students with medical waivers and other issues that would prevent them from wearing face coverings while on campus.

Video from today's School Board work session can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQV4qumDDj4&feature=youtu.be.

Skip to 4:34:55 to view the discussion about face coverings.