LOUISVILLE, Ky. — JCPS announced their schools will remain closed through at least April 20 after Gov. Andy Beshear’s recommendation. The school district has already been closed to in-person classes in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Beginning April 7, the district will opt to use Non-Traditional Instruction days. NTI uses a mixture of online and hands-on learning. Those days do not have to be made up at the end of the school year, and students will be required to complete coursework which would be graded by teachers.
The district has been working to move students to a virtual learning environment on April 7, so they don't miss out on crucial education during the next few weeks.
"Our board of education did approve our non-traditional instruction plan, our NTI plan, and we are working diligently to implement that plan right now," said Dr. Marty Pollio, the Superintendent of JCPS.
The district is planning to get 25,000 Chromebooks to students who need them, and they are working on a plan for families who do not currently have internet access. Throughout the districts scheduled spring break, any free or reduced lunch student will have the opportunity to reserve one of those chrome books.
Pollio says metro government will help them find WiFi for students who don't have it.
"We know that a great deal of our kids do not have access to devices or necessarily to the WiFi so we're working hard to mitigate those problems," Pollio said.
Families who already have access to devices and internet do not need to do anything to prepare and should expect to hear from teachers in the coming days. The district did ask those families to help spread the word to families who may not be receiving the updates.
During a press conference on March 20, Pollio gave an update on these changes and efforts to make sure students can continue to learn. He said nothing replaces face-to-face instruction, but he is confident the district will be able to provide students with great instruction when they move to NTI.
Polio addressed concerns about graduating students and commencement. He assured families that every school will hold a graduation ceremony when it is safe to do so.
"Whenever it is safe to do that, we will make sure that each and every student has the opportunity to walk across that stage in cap and gown and receive their diploma from their principal," Pollio said.
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