South KC public schools delay start dates
By Tyler Schneider
Hickman Mills School District
Hickman Mills School District rolled out its “Return to Learn Plan” on July 31. According to the release, the district is currently in a Distance Learning designation, with students officially beginning their online curriculum on August 24.
Distance Learning will remain in place as long as “current Covid data for Kansas City indicates cases are rising daily and/or a local outbreak occurs within our community.” At the very least, it will last through the first quarter of the academic year, which ends October 21. During this period, families may pick-up meals at designated sites throughout the district. The district also notes that some students who receive special services will be allowed in school buildings for special instruction.
Covid data for Kansas City must show that cases have plateaued and/or have been contained before public officials deem “normal” instruction is safe.
Grandview School District
Superintendent Dr. Kenny Rodrequez hosted a Facebook Live session on July 28 to explain the latest updates decided on by the C-4 Board of Education as of July 25 and answer questions from parents.
In-class sessions will be delayed until at least September 8. Students and their parents will choose whether to attend school in person or virtually. Regardless of that decision, all students in the district are set to begin the academic year as distance-learners “until further notice.”
Center School District
Students will begin online-only learning beginning August 26 until further notice. Any decisions past that point will be decided by a Center School District-established “Re-Entry Task Force.”
A recent parent survey available at the Center School District website showed 67 percent of respondents say they would be comfortable with their child returning to school. About 47 percent voted for both distance learning only and a hybrid model. Teachers were also given the survey, and 67 percent indicated that they would be comfortable returning to school full-time once public officials believed it was safe to do so. An even greater number of those teachers surveyed (75 percent) supported a return even without a widespread vaccine.