LCS 2020-2021 Planning Update #2:
Results from Parent and Teacher Surveys and Other Updates
24 June 2020
In early June, LCS polled teachers and parents regarding current thoughts on the coming school year. 531 parents and 88 teachers responded to the survey.
Overall, London City Schools parents who responded to the survey showed a great deal of diversity in their opinions. 54% of the parents surveyed indicated that they planned to send their children back to school given the health and safety rules that will be set in place, while 34% remained undecided. Most parents, who indicated they were holding back on making a decision, did so until it is understood exactly what will be required of schools in order to reopen. This was especially true in light of mask use and whether or not masks will be a requirement for students. Of the responding parents, 12% indicated that they did not feel comfortable sending their students back to school regardless of what health measures would be put in place. From the teachers surveyed, 59% of teachers felt “good” or “great” in returning to campus, 31% felt “okay,” while 10% felt “terrible.”
While the preference is to provide safe, on campus instruction to all students everyday, LCS is currently developing options for blended learning and if absolutely necessary all online instruction. The triggers for the various options are currently being tied to teacher attendance rates. Of the 531 parents responding to the survey, 231(68%) would be interested in enrolling in a fully virtual option including 97 elementary students, 56 middle school students, and 57 high school students respectively. Of the teachers polled, only 7% indicated they would be interested in teaching online full time, but 49% considered fully online teaching as a possibility. 44% of teachers were not interested in this option.
The district would like to thank everyone, who took the time to provide this feedback. This information has been particularly helpful in our continued planning for the reopening of school.
On another note, LCS has received approval by Madison Public Health to host full practices for district student athletes (See summer 2020 Athletic Facility Guidelines below). In addition, the district has been granted permission to host baseball and softball contests while adhering to the District’s approved Athletics Facility Guidelines. London City Schools prides itself on providing the use of district facilities to community organizations. The ability to host our local community baseball and softball teams comes on the heels of the reopening of the track, tennis courts, and playground, which occurred last week.
Here are a few other important resources relevant to our reopening plan: