Students from PreK through 12th grade in Decatur Public Schools will continue to participate in virtual learning only for the remainder of the second quarter of the 2020-21 school year. The second quarter ends on December 18, 2020.
“This was a difficult decision to make, as we know it’s very important to get our students back in the classroom. Nothing can replace the live interaction students get in person with their teachers and their peers,” said Dr. Paul Fregeau, Superintendent of Decatur Public Schools. “However, we also know that the health of our community is an essential factor in making our decision, and right now those health factors don’t support bringing our students back to in-person learning.”
DPS administration continues to work with principals, teachers, and staff to plan for a return to in-person learning, which could happen as early as the beginning of the third quarter on January 4, 2021. However, we will also continue to monitor our community’s health factors to make that determination. An announcement will be made on Friday, December 4, 2020, about third quarter learning.
In-Person vs. Virtual Learning Selection
A form is available now in Skyward Family Access that families MUST complete if they want students to participate in in-person learning once it becomes available. Families must select from the following options for each of their students:
Selecting in-person learning will inform your school that you intend to send your student to school in person for the days they are assigned, with virtual learning continuing for the other days of the week.
Selecting to remain in virtual learning only will inform your school that you intend to have your student remain at home, with a focus on independent assignments with limited face-to-face interaction.
Students for whom a selection is not made will automatically be placed in virtual learning only. Students MAY NOT participate in in-person learning at school until a selection is made for that student in Skyward. If you think you would like your student to participate in in-person learning, please make that selection on the form. You can always change your preference back to virtual learning only, but it will be much more difficult to plan for your student’s in-person attendance if you do not make that selection.
This form has been available for several weeks — parents who have already made their selection and do not wish to change it don’t need to do anything. For parents who have not entered the form to make their selection, or those who wish to change their selection, that MUST be done by Friday, November 13, 2020.
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