Fox Chapel Area families running out of time to complete back-to-school survey

Today is the last day for Fox Chapel Area families to complete a survey regarding the district’s back-to-school offerings for fall.

Families were sent a link to the survey to provide input on in-person and online instruction, both of which the district will offer for the 2020-21 school year, Jill Leonard, community engagement manager, said.

The link was not made public.

“In an effort to provide our parents/guardians and students the best possible experience, we asked what tools and support that we can provide that would be the most helpful,” Leonard said.

The district in June formed a task force to review varying degrees of reopening. Comprising parents; students; residents; and experts in athletics, technology and special education, the coalition plans to meet throughout the summer to build scenarios.

Earlier this month, however, the district said it would move forward with both in-person and online options.

Leonard said the survey seeks information on which option families would prefer, but doesn’t ask them to committ to one at this time.

“We also asked about their general concerns about in-person instruction, what tools they believe they need to be successful in a fully online environment and whether their child/children would be riding the bus,” she said.

Students who return to district campuses will be required to wear masks and social distance. Those who choose online learning will be led by district teachers.

District officials also said previously that there could be hybrid schedules where students spend alternate days in school while others are learning online.

School officials said they will follow guidance from the CDC and Gov. Tom Wolf, along with reviewing covid-19 case numbers from the Allegheny County Department of Health.

The school board is expected to review a final proposal during its meeting at 7 p.m. on Aug. 10.