Dear Parents,

You should have all received IUSD’s second survey to parents by now. It provides a lot more information than we’ve received in the past, but it has also raised just as many questions. Let’s all start by agreeing that we all want the best for our students and we all want to protect their physical and mental health, as well as that of our teachers and staff. We’ve been in touch with the school and some of the teachers, and they want to express that they have been and are continuing to do their best to help see us all through these times. They miss their students.

The overwhelming question right now is where are we and what can we expect? Here is what we know from various sources (and it isn’t a lot):

— The surveys and the academic models described by IUSD are recommendations to the IUSD Board. Nothing is set in stone yet and it won’t be until after the Board meets on July 1.
— The Board will be looking at the survey results to help them make their decisions. They really want to hear from the parents.
— The survey is just one way of communicating with the Board. If you have more detailed questions that you want to ask the District or the Board, we’re providing the contact information below and urge you to contact them.
— The time for you to ask your questions and be heard is between NOW AND JULY 1. Once the Board votes, we will be told what academic models will be offered, we will be asked to make a selection, and the schools will be directed to implement the programs. We understand that the earliest you will be allowed to change your selection is after the first trimester and that will depend on the circumstances. With a July 15 start date, year round schools will have about a week after everyone makes their selections to make everything happen. That’s not a lot of time.

Here are some topics and questions that we have gathered from the parent community. If you have similar statements/questions or your own questions, we urge you to contact the IUSD Board between now and July 1.

-I am/am not happy with IUSD’s position regarding face coverings, social distancing, temperature checks because . . .
-If the IUSD Virtual Academy will not be
out until the fall, what kind of online instruction will year round students be receiving? Will they receive online instruction from teachers in their own schools, from teachers around IUSD, or from professional online instructors? Will they be transferred to the Virtual Academy once it’s rolled out? Who is staffing the Virtual Academy?
-In a hybrid program, what will online instruction look like during the online days? Will the online instruction be taught by my school’s teachers or by some unidentified pool of online instructors?
-I am/am not comfortable with starting school on July 15 because . . .
-If an individual at school tests positive for covid-19, what is the protocol regarding tracing, notification, testing, quarantine, return to school?
-If my child’s entire class is quarantined because of direct exposure to a covid-19 positive individual, will there be online instruction offered during the quarantine period(s) and by whom?
-I am a working parent, single parent, parent of a special needs child, etc. and my family can only survive if my kids are in school on a full time schedule because . . .
-I am concerned about the health risks to my child (and his/her teacher) because . . .
-I really need before and after school child care because . . .
-Let me tell you about my family situation . . .

The PTA is not taking a position on what, if anything, you should say to the District or the Board. We are here to do our best to try and represent ALL our students. We just want you to know that if you wish to communicate further with the District or the IUSD Board of Education, they do want to hear from you and they need to hear from you by July 1.

bettycarroll@iusd.org – IUSD Board of Education
paulbokota@iusd.org – IUSD Board of Education
laurenbrooks@iusd.org – IUSD Board of Education
iraglasky@iusd.org – IUSD Board of Education
sharonwallin@iusd.org – IUSD Board of Education
terrywalker@iusd.org – IUSD Superintendent of Schools
cassieparham@iusd.org – Assistant Superintendent, Education Services