ESCANABA — Families of students in Escanaba Area Public Schools surprised Superintendent Coby Fletcher by their responses to a survey sent out in July. Just over 50% expressed their desire to have their children in some sort of distance learning.

“When we asked parents to pick through the options, it was interesting … if you had asked me, before we put that survey out, what percentage of our parents would want to have their kids in school, full-time for face-to-face instruction, I would have said 75%, if you want to go over/under, I’d go over …” said Fletcher. “It was really surprising, the number of parents who were looking for some form of remote instruction as we go into the school year.”

The survey revealed 48.2% preferred to have their children in traditional face-to-face instruction, 16.8% chose to have their children stream classroom instruction from a distance, 16.8% preferred a self-paced online program children can access at any time, and 18.2% of the parents want a hybrid of distance learning and face-to-face instruction for their children.

“We had 1,700 responses and all through the survey the results were coming in at the same percentages,” said Fletcher. “The most common question that I’m getting from parents is, which one are you going to do, and I’m going to do all of them.”

Escanaba is implementing a menu of instructional options. Parents will be able to choose from four scenarios to fit their individual family needs.

A second survey was sent out July 31 asking families’ input on distance learning to help the school administration plan and organize. Parents who requested traditional face-to-face learning do not need to fill out the second survey.

Families have the following four choices in Escanaba.

Traditional face-to-face instruction — Students are physically present in class with other students and receive face-to-face instruction from a teacher.

Streamed Classroom — Class is streamed in real time. Some students are present in the classroom with the teacher, while other students log in from home. Students will log in when class starts in front of a camera, be present during the entire class, and log off when the class is done. That is how the student will be counted present.

“If you’re participating in real-time instruction, but from home, you have to be present like any other kid in that class,” said Fletcher.

Self-Paced Online Program — Students learn using a self-paced, online curriculum that can be accessed 24-hours per day. Students have to make regular progress.

“If we see you haven’t logged onto your online class three or four days, we’re going to be in contact saying, you’ve got to get this done,” Fletcher said.

Hybrid Model — Combines face-to-face instruction, streamed classrooms, and/or self-paced online learning in a way that best meets the needs of families and students. In a hybrid model, a student may go to school each day for band and welding, then return home and take other classes in a streamed or self-paced online format.

“Parents really want to minimize the time students spend in school, but at the same time it’s important to them their child continue to participate in band, or orchestra, or choir, or maybe an AP class, or a Duel Enrollment class that’s offered on campus. We would look at that … and literally put together a customized schedule,” said Fletcher.

Regardless of the type chosen, students have to make educational progress.

During the summer break the administration asked students for the return of all Chromebooks to inventory and repair the devices before reissuing. All students in grades six through 12 will be assigned a Chromebook. Kindergarten through fifth grade students will share Chromebooks stored on carts. All students who choose a remote learning option in grades K-5 will also be assigned a device. Internet access will be provided if needed.

“I still get questions … will I get a device … what if I don’t have internet access … are you really going to have a one to one Chromebook thing going on 6 -12 grades,” said Fletcher. “The one to one Chromebook initiative was going to start phasing in this year, but the pandemic accelerated the process.”

Students choosing remote learning will remain eligible to participate in school activities and extracurriculars. Dual enrollment, Early Middle College, and Michigan Virtual courses will continue to be offered. The district is offering transportation at the beginning and end of the school day. Families with students enrolled in a hybrid model will need their own means of transportation getting to and from school.

Fletcher, staff and teachers met the end of July and discussed health, safety, masks, and cleanliness issues, and how to make instruction happen for the 2020-2021 school year in a way that works well for parents, students and staff. Fletcher believes the school has built up the technological resources to provide virtual learning, and do it well.

“We can be flexible, we have the resources we need to do it … We like being face-to-face with our students, as educators that is kind of our gravy, but, at the same time there’s so many things we can do for kids now,” Fletcher noted.