Hempfield Area gauging interest in cyber program for next school year

Hempfield Area School District officials are trying to gauge how many students will choose the district’s full-time cyber program next school year.

District leaders on Tuesday posted a survey that will determine how many parents would like to have their students attend the Hempfield Area Cyber Academy during the 2021-22 school year. All parents are asked to complete the survey regardless of which learning model their child is currently following.

“Without knowing what the pandemic has in store for us moving forward, we know we will continue to offer a full-time synchronous cyber program,” a post above the survey reads. “This survey will allow us to best design our modes of instruction and staffing needs to support the students of Hempfield Area School District.”

Throughout the current school year, secondary students have been attending school through a hybrid model of learning, or a mix of in-person and online classes. Elementary students are attending in-person classes five days a week. The district’s middle school students returned to classrooms full time on Monday.

Before filling out the survey, parents are asked to review their child’s progress this year.

“If they are struggling in virtual learning classes currently, please consider sending them to school in a brick and mortar environment next school year,” the post reads. “While we recognize some students are performing admirably via the current hybrid or online model, some students need face-to-face time with their teachers to be successful.”

The survey, which can be accessed through a post on the district’s Facebook page, must be completed by March 6. If a parent indicates they are interested in full remote learning next year, they will receive followup information.