Parental declarations regarding their preferred instructional model for their children during the 2021-22 year in the Upper Perkiomen School District were sent out last week by district administrators. The deadline to return them is June 11.

            Administrators are offering a five-day in-person instructional model and an online model, according to Superintendent Allyn Roche. He said during last week's school board workshop that more than 90 percent of students are expected to choose the former.

            Roche said the upcoming school year will serve as a transitional period to the 2022-23 school year, when 100 percent in-person attendance is anticipated. Meanwhile, administrators plan to return the upcoming school year back to normal "as much as possible." The superintendent said during the May 27 board workshop meeting that he anticipates students and teachers not being required to wear the facemasks mandated because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

            In terms of the upcoming school year, parents of children in grades one through 12 will have until the end of next week to officially enroll them in either in-person or virtual learning. All kindergarten students will be required to attend in-person learning. Students whose families do not respond will likely be placed in in-person learning, according to Roche.  "We want to give everyone the option," he said during the meeting hosted on Zoom.

            Administrators hope to confirm the learning models to the board on June 17, according to Roche. He asked that the members approve them during the meeting.

            In terms of online options, students from grades one to through five are expected to be offered enrollment in the Upper Perkiomen Online Learning Academy. The platform will feature at least a half day of live learning, along with daily asynchronous activities/lessons and daily attendance requirements.

            Students from grades six to 12 will be able participate in asynchronous learning through a similar academy with daily attendance requirements, according to a presentation from administrators.