Survey: RR parents prefer in-person learning or blend

Still not out of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rio Rancho Public Schools is considering a few options as it plans the reopening of schools in the fall, looking at modifying operations to include possible screenings, availability of face coverings, accommodations for the most vulnerable individual, heightened cleaning measures, social distancing guidelines, etc.

A task force will work throughout the summer to address these areas and more, and will continue to communicate with families throughout the planning process. Knowing that some parents are eager to have their child(ren) return to school, others are concerned about the continued spread of COVID-19.

In hopes of gauging the community’s thoughts, RRPS sent out a survey in English and Spanish, seeking parents’ input.

After parents checked the boxes for the schools and grades their kids attend, they were asked to state their preference for the 2020-21 school year, for which they had three choices, plus another option of their choosing, and to explain their choice.

The RRPS choices for parents were:

• Traditional school (in classroom) — Keeping in mind district staff will most likely need to consider other options in order to meet social distancing requirements, 2,541 responses selected this option;

• Combination of traditional and online learning — Some learning would happen at school and other learning at home via an format such as Google Classroom and/or Edgenuity online platform; 2,306 responses selected this option;

• 100 percent online learning — All learning would happen away from the school; 1,343 responses selected this option); and

• 101 responses selected an option other than those above.

Melissa Perez, the district’s communications manager, said, “RRPS wanted to gauge how parents felt, in order to assist in guiding us as we develop plans for next year. This is just one tool/set of information we will use to guide us as our teams determine what the next school year will look like.

“Results are still being collected and plans are being developed now. We hope to have plans to the school board in late June.”

The school board meets again — virtually (view it at rrps.net) — Monday at 5:30 p.m. On the agenda is a presentation on some of the plans for the coming school year, as there are several task forces working on different aspects of the 2020-21 school year.