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LAKE LINDEN -- Lake Linden-Hubbell Schools will offer face-to-face and online options when school resumes Sept. 1.
A survey sent to parents indicated a significant number wanted an online option, said Superintendent Brad Codere. He declined to give the percentage, but said it was "enough there to tell us there's concern in the community,"
Students are asked to commit to one path for at least the first semester.
For those who chose in-person, masks will be required at all grade levels. While Codere acknowledged maintaining that would be a challenge, he said the district felt it was a necessary step.
"We're proud of that because we want to keep our students, families and the communities safe, and we want to take the steps necessary to do that," he said.
The parent survey did not indicate that whether masks were required or optional made much difference in the support for face-to-face instruction, Codere said.
Students will also be required on the bus, which will have assigned seats. Students from the same household will also sit together.
Personal protective equipment and hand sanitizer would be made available at the schools. There will also be guidelines for consistent hand-washing.
Cleaning staff are also meeting regularly to go over the protocols, which will include frequent cleaning of high-traffic and frequently touched areas.
The district will also do as much as it can to make sure students are socially distanced, Codere said. At the elementary school, recesses will be staggered to minimize the number of students on the playground at any time.
Cafeteria space will also be rearranged to allow for more distancing. Students will have assigned tables and seats.
Despite that, Codere said, the district's plans aren't airtight.
"I couldn't necessarily look at a parent and tell them I could guarantee their child won't be within six feet of another child all day," he said. "We'll do the best that we can."
Online classes at the elementary school will be done mostly through a third-party vendor, Lincoln Learning. Teachers will still work through the curriculum with students.
In sixth through 12th grades, students can completely virtual through third-party platforms. They can also receive live-streamed or recorded classes from teachers of their core classes while using other platforms for the rest of their schedule.
Although middle and high school students do not have recesses, Codere is encouraging staff to take classes outdoors when the chance arises, whether teaching on the front lawn or giving students a quick break to get fresh air.
"We don't want it to feel so restrictive that it's not enjoyable at all," Codere said. "We want to be mindful of the kids. It won't be easy, and no one wants to wear a mask for the greater portion of the day, but we're going to try to work around things the best we can while having the safest environment for our students."
The district's full plan is available at lakelinden.k12.mi.us/events/2681.pdf.