Manatee County schools call on families to answer poll about COVID-19 and classes
The historic 2020-21 school year will soon reach a milestone in Manatee County. The first quarter is nearing its end, and families now have the chance to share their needs and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Classes began on Aug. 17 with three options: a traditional education on campus, full-time online learning or the hybrid schedule, which rotates between in-person and online lessons. Manatee’s reopening plan said families would have the option to switch learning formats after the first quarter, which ends on Oct. 9.
A new poll, found under the “Hot Topics” section on the district website, www.manateeschools.net, is centered on families’ recent experiences, their needs in the upcoming quarter and their desire to switch learning formats.
“With the school year underway, we want to hear from you! Your feedback is critical. Please provide your honest thoughts to help us better understand your family’s preferences and needs at this time so we can best support you and your child,” the poll states.
Local families have until Sep. 27 to complete the 15-question poll, which is available in English and Spanish. Families with multiple children were asked to complete a separate poll for each student.
The school board will then review the feedback and discuss next steps at a meeting on Oct. 8.
“We will take the valuable information that you provide and use it to make adjustments and improvements to better serve students and your family,” the district said on its website.
Among other questions, the district is polling families about their students’ current learning option. Are families happy with their choice? Do they plan on switching?
“Would you choose to send your child to Brick and Mortar (5 days a week on campus) even if this made social distancing more difficult at your school?”
The poll goes on to ask families about their access to the internet and the devices needed for online learning, such as tablets, laptops or computers. For students currently enrolled in digital classes, Manatee is asking about their experience with Schoology, the district’s online learning platform.
While many of the questions offer a handful of answers to choose from, the poll also includes open-ended questions about recent victories and challenges in local education.
“The School District of Manatee County is committed to providing students with the safest and most effective educational experience possible during these challenging times,” the website continues. “To do that, we need to hear from you.”
This story was originally published September 17, 2020 at 3:57 PM.