As the Upper Perkiomen School District continues its preparation for the start of the 2020-21 school year, administrators asked parents and guardians to answer two questions.
            "We need your help," Assistant Superintendent Andrea Farina said during a July 2 video posted on the district's YouTube page.

            During the video, Farina requested parents and guardians declare how their children plan on participating in school when the new year begins on Aug. 31. Additionally, those who plan on attending the brick and mortar school are requested to express whether or not they plan on utilizing the district's bus services.

            All responses are requested by July 17. According to Farina, district officials need the information to plan for the best possible options amid the current pandemic.

            Both questions, contained on two slides at the end of a school planning update included in an email blast from Superintendent Allyn Roche, have multiple-choice options.

            The first one, the Student Education Declaration, asks parents to choose one of three options related to enrollment. The second question covers transportation.

            According to an email message from district spokesperson Nicole Gum, the survey questions will help administrators take a look at class size, transportation rosters, cafeteria and lunch set-up and other issues in order to provide the best possible experience for all students, whether they elect to learn in-person or online during the 2020-21 school year.

            The penultimate slide provides three options: students can commit to attending in-person school, enroll in the newly created Upper Perkiomen Online Academy for virtual learning for the 2020-21 School Year or withdraw from the district to be homeschooled or attend a private school/other school opportunity.

            In the final slide, students are asked to indicate their transportation needs.

            Respondents have five answers to choose from: my child requires and will use district transportation both to and from school every day; my child requires and will use district transportation to school every day; my child requires and will use district transportation from school to home every day; my child will be dropped off at school and picked up from school each day with arrangements made by our family and friends; my child is a walker to and from school and is not offered UPSD transportation.

            Students on the buses will be required to wear face masks.

            Busing issues could be the district's toughest challenge due to the pandemic, according to Business Manager Sandra Kassel. She said during the June 25 school board workshop meeting that social distancing requirements could force administrators to double bus runs.

            To access the slides visit: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/18hYrvw6JXYq22x7ZM0yUutR990BfHaYrQdWLHLyPra8/edit?usp=sharing