HELENA — With the school year around its halfway point, Helena Public Schools leaders say it’s time to consider possible changes in their COVID-19 plan. They’re asking families for input, as they decide what their operations will look like for the rest of the year.
Since August, Helena schools have been in Phase 1 of the district’s reopening plan – a “hybrid model” with students having classes in-person two days a week and online the other three.
This week, the district sent a survey to families, asking them to weigh in on how the current model has worked for their children, whether the district should “phase-up” to having all students on campus at the same time or stay with the hybrid model and whether it’s more important to stick with one phase for the rest of the year or adjust based on local health conditions.
District leaders say they will share the survey results with a committee of parents, staff and school trustees. In the coming weeks, they’ll be tasked with looking at whether to make any changes.
Superintendent Tyler Ream told MTN other districts around the state are currently looking at phasing up their operations, so it made sense now for the Helena district to see what their own stakeholders think.
Missoula County Public Schools recently decided to shift to more on-site learning starting next week. Other large districts, like Great Falls Public Schools, are already back to Monday through Friday classes.
