With Copper Basin schools set to resume Monday, August 10, it is important for parents and guardians to know they have options.
The Polk County School System has given parents the option to send their children to “regular school,” “remote school” or home school.
Regular school is what officials are referring to as their traditional format. Buses will be running and teachers will be in class instructing students.
There is a twist, however.
Beginning August 10, students will attend school on an A/B/C/D rotation.
A different group of approximately 25% of enrolled students will attend each day.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday will be in-school days. Wednesday will be for teachers to connect virtually with all students, and they will deliver instruction this way.
The school will notify students on which days they should attend.
For the second week of school, beginning August 17, students will attend on an A/B rotation, with 50% of students attending Monday and Tuesday.
Wednesday will again be for students and teachers to connect virtually, and the rotation will resume Thursday and Friday.
Principals will divide students up by families so that siblings may attend the same day.
Meals, break times, special classes and more will be as safe, healthy and clean as possible.
Social distancing will be performed, additional sanitizing and other modifications will be implemented.
“Remote school” involves parents working with the school system and keeping their children enrolled officially.
Teachers will record their classroom instruction, and children will complete school work at home.
Parents will need to know how to navigate Google Classroom and other online programs.
The schools will offer training on Google Classroom the first week of August.
Internet service will be required. A device to connect to the internet can be provided if needed.
Work should be returned to the teacher and will be graded on a regular basis. There will be daily contact between the child and the school.
Using the Polk Innovative Learning Academy, which has been a tool for the past two years, is also an option for remote schooling.
It allows students to stay at home but remain in the school system. It has its own principal and teachers, and instruction is mostly delivered by online work.
All state guidelines are followed regarding attendance and grading. Students enroll for a semester at a time, and there is a limited number of seats.
Home school requires parents to withdraw their children from the school system, and they will be responsible for educating their own children.
Additional information on any of these options is available by contacting the Polk County Department of Education at 423-299-0471.