CPS depending on parents to create plan for fall classes
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The next step of planning for Columbia Public Schools fall classes will depend on parents.
The Columbia Board of Education met in-person Monday night and CPS officials announced a plan to give families a choice on in-person or online education come fall.
Michelle Baumstark, a CPS spokeswoman, sent an email to CPS families Monday saying that CPS will offer families a choice of regular, five days a week, in-person learning or online learning.
The letter stated that CPS elementary and secondary online learning will be taught by CPS teachers.
Elementary online learning will use curriculum written and supported by the University of Missouri, while secondary online learning will be taught using CPS curriculum.
The letter explained that in-person teachers and students at all levels will be actively preparing for online learning, in case the schools need to close.
CPS parents/guardians will receive more information explaining what both options will look like for the 2020-21 school year by June 22.
The letter states that parents/guardians will be asked to choose which option they want for their students on a questionnaire that will be used as a key component for what the district will plan for the fall.
The grading scale for elementary students will not change, while secondary will use an A-F grading scale.
The letter states that CPS will continue to follow health department guidelines and recommendations, as the health department anticipates in-person classes to be possible in August.
CPS is focusing on Step 4 of the Columbia/Boone County Plan for Response and a Road Map to Reopening for fall classes as the plan lessens social distancing rules to a recommendation.
Jessica Lozano and Mary Earnhart are CPS mom’s who both said their children want to go back to school. Earnhart said she's leaning towards allowing her son Jace to attend in-person classes and at least see if it’s a more positive experience for him.
“In my eyes,” Earnhart said. “Children need to be around other children, they need to be in an environment where the teacher is able to help them, and they need to be with what they're used to being with in order for them to learn best.”
Both Earnhart and Lozano are very pleased that CPS wants parents feedback for the decision making process as some parents feel it's safest to keep their children home while other believes it's time to return to in-person classes.
“I would love for my kids to go back to school,” Lozano said. “But the same time I know, rather than be at home and safe and healthy, then go back to the school building where there's still a big risk of them coming in contact with Corona (COVID-19) or any other thing out there.
Lozano and Earnhart want to know more information about precautions and restrictions will be in place for in-person learning before making a final decision.
“Given the circumstances right now,” Earnhart said. “I know things can't go back to normal because that would be what is best, but at least I need to know is he gonna get to have some outside time and are they going to be able to have some sort of interaction that is at least healthier for them than having expectations that a seven year old just can't follow.
