CROWLEY, La. — The Acadia Parish School Board sent online surveys to parents and stakeholders from June 19 - June 28 asking how they feel about their children returning to school this fall after schools were closed in the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to APSB, approximately 3,500 responses were received. The board states they have used this feedback in planning sessions for reopening schools in August based on what respective "Covid-19 Phase" the state will be in at that time.
However, they say they are still finalizing details of that plan and will continue to re-evaluate and reassess as things move forward.
“We certainly respect that the entire situation is very fluid given the high number of COVID-19 cases in our region and we are planning for every possible scenario to the best of our ability,” said Acadia Parish School Superintendent Scott Richard.
Here are the questions asked on the survey and a summary of the responses.
Q: Which of the school board’s three options do you prefer? I.e. 100% face to face, 100% virtual learning or rotating attendance days with at-home virtual learning required on days not spent at school.
- More than 2,000 respondents, or more than 60%, said they preferred 100% face to face as their favorite option.
- More than 2,000, or more than 60%, said 100% virtual learning was their least favorite option.
- The third option of rotating attendance days with at-home virtual learning had about 600 respondents, or 17%, say they it was their favorite option, about 1,200, or 34%, saying it was their least favorite option and just over 1,500, or about 43%, saying they were in-between.
Q: Does your child/children have any health conditions that would cause them from attending school on campus? (3,562 responses)
- 92.1% said No.
- 7.9% said Yes.
Q: How comfortable are you with your child/children returning to school under these guidelines?
- Masks required only for students and employees - nearly 1,200, or 34%, said they were Not Comfortable.
- Masks required for students ages 10 and above - about 2,000, or 57%, said they were Not Comfortable
- School enforces parents keeping children who are ill at home - nearly 2,700, or 77%, said there were Very Comfortable
- Temperature checks required - just over 2,000, or 57%, said they were Very Comfortable
Q: Are you comfortable with your child/children participating in extracurricular activities when schools reopen? (3,562 responses)
- 55.1% said Yes
- 27.9% said On the Condition that the School Establishes Strong Safety Precautions
- 9.9% said No.
- 7.1% said Not Sure.
Q: Does your child use bus transportation to get to and from school? (3,562 responses)
- 52% said Yes.
- 48% said No.
Q: If your child uses bus transportation, how comfortable are you with continuing to use the school bus to get to and from school? (3,094 responses)
- 39.6% said I will Provide Transportation for my Child
- 21.6% said they are Very Comfortable
- 20.7% said they are Comfortable
- 18.1% said they are Not Comfortable
Q: Would you prefer for your children to continue with a Virtual School Option if Schools open with face to face (normal) learning in August? (3,507 responses)
- 66.1% said No
- 33.9% said Yes.
Q: Which of these safety precautions should be the top priorities for reopening schools with students on campus? (Mark all that apply)
- 86.7% - Available hand sanitizer in every classroom
- 84.9% - Increased cleaning of “high-touch” surfaces at the school
- 33.9% - Effort to provide meals in classroom rather than cafeteria
- 33.5% - Changing routines to keep student movement at a minimum
- 23.8% - Mask requirement for all staff and for students aged 10 and up
- 7.4% - None of the above
The survey also notes that some common themes and concerns from parent and student responses were that students remain home if they are sick, and that the schools maintain cleanliness and sanitation.
The APSB is expected to make an announcement on their reopening plans on Wednesday.
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