Highlands parents asked to complete survey on children's schooling model

Parents of students in the Highlands School District are being asked to fill out a survey if they want to change how their children attend school.

The district is conducting the survey as it nears the end of the first nine week grading period. Surveys are due by Friday.

At a meeting Monday, school board President Bobbie Neese encouraged parents to fill out the survey. The survey is available on the district’s website.

Highlands allowed parents to choose between an in-school hybrid model or a fully online program. In the hybrid program, students are divided into two groups that are in school two days a week and work from home the other three days.

No information was immediately available on how many students were in the hybrid, in-school program compared to the fully online program.

Parents had to indicate their preference in an online survey before the school year started. If parents did not complete the survey, their children were enrolled in the hybrid model.

According to the survey, families that do not want to change their children’s instructional model do not need to complete the survey.

“If families do not complete the survey, the district will assume that the family is continuing with the same instructional model,” the survey states.

The survey states that no changes will be made after Friday to assure that social distancing guidelines are followed.

Superintendent Monique Mawhinney said she will discuss the results of the survey with the school board at its meeting on Monday.

The school board is continuing to meet virtually on Zoom. A link to the meeting will be available on the district’s website. Board meetings begin at 7 p.m.

Highlands has acknowledged two coronavirus cases at its schools in September. One was a middle school student on that school’s soccer team. Another positive case was confirmed at the district’s high school, but the district did not indicate if it was a student or staff member.