Davenport schools survey parents about upcoming school year

DAVENPORT — The School District recently mailed a survey to parents, asking if they plan to send their children back to school this fall.

So far, the majority are saying yes.

Despite a letter explaining that masks and health screenings would be required in the coming year, 88 of the 94 parents who had responded as of Monday night planned to send their children back to school, according to the district.

The first day of school is currently scheduled for Aug. 26. A full reopening plan is due two weeks before school starts.

Parents have until Monday, July 20, to return the survey to the school district. A copy of the survey is also available online

“We have to be messengers of hope about the coming year,” Kowalkowski told a special meeting of the School Board in a virtual meeting Monday night. “We can meet the in-person COVID-19 requirements. With that said, there are going to be parents who don’t want to bring their kids back to school and we respect that.”

Along with the survey that was mailed to parents, there was a letter explaining what the COVID-19 rules will be for the coming year. All students and staff will be required to wear a face mask, classroom space must sit students six feet apart and parents must conduct a daily health check before sending their students to school. Students riding busses will also be required to wear face masks.

Some concerns were expressed at the special board meeting about students that would not be returning to school and the affect that may have on school funding.

“Right now, we are hoping to keep those six to seven percent of students who won’t be returning in person as online students,” Kowalkowski said.

The Davenport School District receives $10,538 per student in state funds each year.

Scheduling

Although the final details are still being worked out, the current proposal for junior high and high school students is to be on a split schedule with only half of the students in the building. However, Kowalkowski said that option may not be needed.

“We think we can fit all of our kids in our classrooms,” he said.

Another item being considered are shorter school days that end at 2pm and no school on Fridays to allow staff to assist students who may be distance learning.

Elementary school students will likely be staying with their classroom group, or cohort, all day long. Recess areas will be divided into zones so the various “cohorts” do not commingle.

“If there was a vaccine or a cure for Covid on the horizon in the next month, we could be working a different plan, but right now we could have rolling closures. We need to be prepared and not just going back to a five day a week schedule,” Kowalkowski said.