By SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

As pandemic restrictions are lifted, Parkland schools will return to in-person classes five days a week when the new term begins in September.

The district, however, will offer an online option for students who want it and who meet established criteria.

Director of Community Relations and Development Nicole McGalla told The Press the choice being given to children for the 2021-22 term.

“The district had a grade 6-12 cyber program for many years,” McGalla said. “Now we are offering it as an option for all kids.”

She noted in the past, the cyber option was typically selected by people who needed a flexible schedule, such as gymnasts who desired training time during the day, or individuals who had health issues which made it unsuitable for them to be in school.

To participate in PSD online, students must connect, with cameras on, with their teacher at assigned times during the day, must submit assignments on time, and must meet attendance requirements through class participation and work completion.

When students commit to PSD online, they have to remain in that format until the semester ends in January.

At that time, they can make a change.

If a person is not successful in PSD online, he or she may be asked to go into the school building to complete their work.

The district online plan, presented to the board by Director of Curriculum and Instruction Kelly Rosario, mentions the importance of parents in online education, “due to the increased autonomy and self-motivation required to be successful.”

Rosario listed characteristics which online learners should have, including the ability to work independently, self-motivation, good organizational skills, self-discipline, good study habits and good reading skills.

She also said the ability to prepare for exams without prodding and the comfort level of voicing concerns to teachers are important.

McGalla explained the district surveyed parents three times to gauge how much interest is directed at the online option.

“The numbers were less with each survey,” McGalla said.

As this school term winds down, the district is offering parents and students the final opportunity to commit to PSD online for next term.

Based upon preferences expressed in the most recent survey, the administration is sending a confirmation message to everyone regarding which form of instruction they will have in 2021-22, either in person five days a week or all online.