Carson City schools are back in session this week, a week later than the original starting date for the school year. This year the district is giving parents the option to choose what kind of learning model is best for their kids.

"Education under the current circumstances is very personal," said Superintendent Richard Stokes. "We've taken that into account and offered some different conditions and situations that allow parents to make some choices about their children's education. We're offering a hybrid plan, a plan for children to work from home all of the time, or parents can homeschool their children. All of these things have given parents some ability to make decisions that work for their families."

About a quarter of the students there have chosen distance learning this year, a program that involves a software platform for online instruction. For the hybrid model, there's a digital homeroom on Monday, then students go to school either Tuesday and Thursday or Wednesday and Friday. There are no lockers this year, no senior projects, and changes to busing and lunch schedules to allow for social distancing.

"Families are being asked to notify the district whether or not they intend to use our transportation system because we do have to manage that so our social distancing numbers work," Stokes said. "We also want to make sure students receive free and reduced lunches if they qualify."

There are new protocols in place for cleaning and sanitation and the district will be working closely with local health officials.

"We take the safety of students and staff very seriously, so having these increased measures to sanitize and clean our buildings will go a long ways to helping people have a better peace of mind as they come to work," Stokes said. "We are gong to rely heavily on staff and parents to watch for any symptoms and then we will react accordingly. And we'll work with the local health department to assist us in decisions at to whether or not to close a classroom, a wing, or a full school."

The district says parents have played a big role in these new procedures.

"We're a tight-knit community and so far our families have been helpful," Stokes said. "They've provided good feedback and we've been able to respond. We know this is going to be a historic year, a year they write about in history books. Our families want their kids back in school, they want them to experience the good things that education has to offer. I think our community is anxious to go back to school and we're anxious to meet them."

For more information, visit the Carson City School District's website. 

 

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