Kent schools will begin the 2020-2021 school year on Aug. 27 with remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kent School District Superintendent Calvin Watts made the announcement Monday afternoon on the district’s website and page.

“After reviewing the most recent data from staff and family surveys, guidance from health officials, and the draft plans from our Back to School Task Force, we have made the decision that we will begin the school year on Aug. 27, with remote learning,” Watts said. “All KSD families should plan for all students to begin the 2020-21 school year in remote learning.”

The district on Friday, July 17, had released remote learning as a potential option.

“The COVID-19 pandemic and planning for remote learning does not impact all staff and families in the same way,” Watts said. “We encourage our entire KSD community to show each other compassion and grace during this time. Because the needs of our community to make plans for the school year are so diverse, we made this decision now, even as we are still finalizing details. Families should plan to be in remote learning status at least through the first quarter of the school year, which ends Oct. 30. However, should the pandemic situation drastically improve, we have been preparing for safety measures for a partial or full return of all students to our buildings.”

A Back to School Task Force and staff worked for months to identify ways to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff, and still provide a meaningful learning experience in-person, Watts said.

“I believe beginning the school year in remote learning is the best option for our entire KSD community, given the current challenges presented by COVID-19 to both educate our students and keep everyone safe,” Watts said. “Beyond the guidance from state and government officials, and public health authorities, as superintendent, I cannot ignore the concerns and fears of our staff and families.”

Already over 7,000 families have responded to a family readiness survey sent out by the district, with a July 22 response deadline. Early results show there is no easy decision for the fall.

The majority of KSD family respondents oppose or strongly oppose full in-person school (56%), according to the district. While families are undoubtedly uncomfortable with a traditional school model, support for the hybrid or full remote model is equal at 47%. Our staff readiness survey indicates a similar opposition returning to school buildings. 48.95% of Team KSD has responded so far; 65.7% feel somewhat uncomfortable or very uncomfortable returning to work in-person for the 2020-21 school year.

During the emergency closures last spring, the district learned a great deal about remote learning, Watts said.

“The feedback from students, families, and staff experiences, and the professional learning and collaboration since this spring is helping us to build a robust remote learning plan for the upcoming school year,” he said. “The Back to School Task Force has been critical in this process. Remote learning in 2020-21 will be of high-quality and consistently provided with more explicit expectations and accountability for instruction and assignments. Learning opportunities and supports for families on the districtwide learning management system, supplemental learning applications, and student-teacher communication platform will be provided. We will continue providing professional learning to all KSD staff to support student success and social-emotional wellness in the remote learning environment.”

Continued feedback

In the coming weeks, the district’s focus will be finalizing a improved remote learning plan, including professional learning for all staff and supports for students, families and staff. The final plan will be shared with the Kent School Board and posted to the district’s website on Aug. 3. At that time, the district will accept community feedback via Thoughtexchange.com, leading up to an Aug. 12, regular board meeting, where public comment will be accepted.

“This pandemic has challenged all of us in so many ways,” Watts said. “We hear and acknowledge the full range of viewpoints regarding the best course of action. We remain committed to reopening our school buildings when it is considered safe for all students and staff by making data-based decisions.