Members of the Polk County Public Schools reopening task force began working last week in smaller teams to tackle health and safety issues, as well as instructional challenges for beginning a new school year amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Acting Chief Academic Officer Michelle Townley said the smaller teams would have until July 8 to compile their research and recommendations.
PCPS is planning to reopen schools for traditional, face-to-face instruction in August. After receiving parent feedback, the district is also planning to offer two distance learning options for the 2020-21 school year.
For option one, the district would expand capacity in Polk Virtual School for families who prefer their children participate in virtual learning.
In addition, a second option is being developed that would allow students to remain enrolled in their school and pursue distance learning. The task force’s Instructional subcommittee has begun exploring how to provide this option, and details will soon be finalized.
You can watch the Instructional subcommittee’s first discussion here.
There are two Health & Safety subcommittees responsible for creating protocols to safeguard students and employees. Links to those groups’ first discussions can be found below:
Operational Protocols
Group A: Click here for Group A’s discussion headed by Deputy Superintendent John Hill.
Whole Child Supports
