FRANKLIN — Franklin School District unveiled its plan to move forward with in-person schooling five days a week in the fall.
The plan comes after the district received 2,800 survey responses from families in the district. Safety, learning, and flexibility are the keys according to administrators.
Among the changes, students will notice social distancing, movement patterns adjusted in common areas, and assigned seating for lunch and buses. Masks will also be required all the time for staff and much of the time for students. Final rules for masks won’t be made until school starts.
“We’re going to wait until we have the most up to date information before we make a final decision on the protocols related to that,” said the district’s Dr. Nick Kohn.
Parents at Wednesday’s school board meeting supported kids going back to school, citing the toll it is taking on many of their students to be away from the school environment.
“I fully support getting our kids back to school. They need it for their social, mental, emotional well being as well as their education” said one parent. Another expressed concern with virtual learning.
Parent Tom Best said “virtual learning results in a loss of critical educational opportunity that will set them back for the rest of their lives.”
The district will send the plan to families Thursday. Embedded in it are contingency plans should COVID-19 make its way into the schools.
“In the event that individual classroom grade level or entire building needs to shift rapidly to a virtual environment we need to be prepared to do that and do it well,” said Kohn.