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Lethbridge School Division. (Lethbridge News Now)

83% of parents in Lethbridge plan to have their children in school this fall

Aug 12, 2020 | 2:30 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The results of the Lethbridge School Division’s Parent Survey have been released.

After the provincial government announced last month that classes would resume with near-normal operations in September, the school board polled parents on if they would like to see their children attend class in-person or use a model of at-home learning.

8,923 people filled out the survey.

82.9 per cent of respondents (representing 7,397 individual students) said their child would be attending school in September, while 17.1 per cent (1,536) will have their children stay at home.

There will be three “pivot points” throughout the school year that will allow students to switch between in-school and at-home learning. They are set at November 10, January 29, and March 31.

The pivot points will divide the school year into quarters rather than trimesters.

“Consistency is necessary for quality delivery of learning,” said Superintendent Cheryl Gilmore. “Parents will be notified in advance of the pivot-point date to submit a request for change, should one be desired.”

The parent survey also asked as bussing as seating will be limited due to physical distancing requirements.

Among students who qualify for bus service, “over half” of the survey respondents said they will be transporting their children to school themselves.

“There are a number of details the Division will be working on over the next few weeks to ensure our students receive high-quality learning experiences, whether they are in-school learners or at-home learning students,” said Gilmore.

During the week of August 24, schools will send out information regarding start-up details for the 2020/2021 school year.

The Lethbridge School Division’s School Re-Entry Plan Parent Guide can be read here.

Classes are set to begin Tuesday, September 1 for the Lethbridge School Division.