MADISON — Like many school districts, Madison Local Schools is in the midst of planning for a school year unlike any other.
Class will resume Aug. 26 for first through 12th grade students and Sept. 8 for preschool and kindergarten students.
At a July school board meeting, incoming Supt. Rob Peterson, a Madison graduate, announced the district would offer an online academy for any student who does not wish to return to school in the fall.
Students will follow an online curriculum, but Madison will staff two full-time teachers to provide support to students and families.
“They would not be doing any live instruction, but they would be there and available to provide assistance and support through a phone call, email and any other support emails,” Peterson explained.
Peterson said there will likely be one teacher responsible for Kindergarten thru sixth grade and another one for seventh through 12th grade. He added that the district may designate additional teachers if there is a significant demand for the online program.
The district will be mailing all parents and guardians a form that will allow them to select either face-to-face instruction or the online academy. Students who choose the online academy option will be required to commit for a minimum of one semester online.
District leadership is still ironing out the details of a COVID-19 plan that would address in-person classes, but students will be allowed to return to the traditional classroom.
“We clearly understand that the best opportunity for students to be successful and receive the best education is in the face-to-face scenario,” Peterson said. “It was a real struggle for us to complete remote learning last year with students. Generally, students didn’t do nearly as well as they did face to face.
“The other piece is you’ve got parents that are counting on us to take care of their children during the day so that they can go to work and do the things that they need to do as well.”
Peterson also cited pediatrician’s findings that being with teachers and other students is beneficial for children’s social and emotional well-being.
Per state law, teachers and staff will be required to wear face coverings. Students will be required to wear face coverings on the school bus, due to the impossibility of social distancing. Students will also be required to wear face coverings in school if Richland County remains under a Level 3 Public Health Advisory.
“The big piece that we have not settled on yet is whether or not to require masks during risk levels one and two,” Peterson said. “These are serious decisions and we are taking them seriously.”
The district is still determining how to best serve students with documented medical issues that make it unsafe for them to wear a mask. Peterson stated that the district is willing to work with parents to find an alternative option, such as a face shield.
District leaders have yet to decide whether or not the school will be providing masks to students.
“The masks are such a polarizing issue,” Peterson said. “What we’re trying to do is be open face-to-face as safely and responsibly as we possibly can for everyone involved.”
