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Sperry School District Uses Survey Results to Guide Return to Learn Planning
Sperry Public School is developing plans to begin school as scheduled on August 13. Before details could be finalized, the district’s Return to Learn committee had to gather information and ideas from parents, students, and employees about returning to school. Consequently, district stakeholders were asked to provide input into the plan by participating in a survey. The district used social media, the district’s website, and recorded phone messages sent to parents and employees informing them they could participate in the survey online or on paper from June 18 to 28.
“The district received 384 responses, comprising parents, students, employees, and community members,” Sperry Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Beagles said. “With almost 90% of the respondents indicating they have at least one child in Sperry Schools, the survey results are representative of those we serve.”
The survey was designed to help determine how the district should open school in August. Like many districts, Sperry reviewed a range of delivery options and used the survey results to help narrow and focus the planning. Clearly, returning to classrooms for in-person teaching and learning received strong support from the survey participants. Almost 70% of the respondents with elementary students indicated they preferred to start school in-person rather than through a distance learning format, and 60% of the parents of secondary students agreed. That preference from parents of both elementary and secondary students is supported through responses to other questions as well. For instance, parents stressed their concern for their children’s academic growth, with 77% of the respondents stating academic growth was a strong influence in their consideration for starting school in August. Parents also noted their highest concern for continuing school in a distance learning format was their ability to motivate their child to complete assignments.
As for transportation, a little over 30% of parents stated their child would need to ride a bus, and one third of those respondents stated some concern in doing so. More than 60% of parents indicated they intended to transport their child to and from school and/or indicated their child drove or walked to school.
Concerning home internet connectivity, 55% of the families stated they experienced very few issues with internet streaming ability, while 32% said they experience inconsistent streaming ability.
Another area that received high interest was the district’s use of disinfectants and cleaners to help mitigate the impact of the coronavirus. “Our greatest concern is for the continued well-being of our students and employees,” said Dr. Beagles. “Prior to organizing our survey, we had already set advanced cleaning protocols in place specifically to combat the spread of the coronavirus and other communicable pathogens.” Steps planned to help prevent spreading the virus, in addition to the regular classroom cleaning, include providing hand sanitizer in all rooms, reminding students to wash their hands frequently, discouraging students from sharing materials, and disinfecting high traffic areas and buses on a regular basis with specialized cleaners.
“I want to thank everyone who responded to the District’s survey, as this information is very helpful as we plan for our return to school and instructional delivery options,” said Dr. Beagles. “Our intent is to provide flexible delivery options for parents and students that may include a range of options from face-to-face instruction, blended learning, and distance learning as appropriate for high-risk learners.”
More information about the District’s plan to return will be released in the near future.
