LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Students would begin the 2020-21 school year learning at home starting Aug. 25, if a recommendation from Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio is adopted by the school board.
“The COVID-19 crisis has left us with only imperfect options for our return to school this fall,” Pollio said. “But the health and safety of our students and staff will always be our top priority. That’s why I’m recommending we limit the amount of person-to-person contact by beginning the school year with Non-Traditional Instruction for students.”
Pollio is proposing online Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) to continue for six weeks. JCPS will look at data and science in conjunction with direction from local and state health officials to determine if it is safe to return to in-person instruction.
Pollio stressed that NTI 2.0 would be more robust, challenging, and improved from what students experienced in the final weeks of the 2019-20 school year.
“NTI 2.0 will be more like a normal classroom model for students, with increased instruction and more online contact with their school, teachers, and fellow students,” Pollio said.
The district will also host orientation sessions for families while sharing available community resources and support.
“I understand that not being able to come together in person will cause hardships for many families and, as I’ve repeatedly said, online instruction can’t replace the benefits of face-to-face classroom instruction from a teacher,” Pollio added. “But I believe starting the school year with NTI is the best, and safest, decision for our students and staff.”
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