Administrators at the Hartford Public Schools are dealing with a problem that's unique to the global pandemic: planning a school year without knowing how many students will be coming to class.
Three weeks before back-to-school, HPS Superintendent Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez says choosing a physical return to school or "remote learning" is challenging, especially with information regarding the novel coronavirus changing by the day.
So far, more of half of the families responding have chosen "remote learning." In many cases, that will mean small class sizes (32% of families responding have chosen a return to school buildings). Kesha Ryan, the principal of the Wish School (K-7), says she currently has some classrooms that will be hosting just four children. Her biggest class size at the moment? Thirteen.
Officials are trying to reach every family, with mixed success. Torres-Rodriguez says they've heard from 76% of Hartford Public Schools families-- strong for a response to a typical survey, but concerning in this case because each family that responds will help determine the makeup of each classroom in the city.
Torres-Rodriguez and Mayor Luke Bronin made an appearance at the Wish School, where staff handed out 700 backpacks with supplies. They also announced the city will be giving out thousands of thermometers, so families can monitor their health.
