WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Parents in the School District of Palm Beach County who have children learning virtually have until midnight to decide if their kids will remain virtual or switch to in-person learning for the second semester.
"They're going to still be doing virtual. My third grader is actually excelling very well with the virtual learning," said parent Rebecca Ledee.
Ledee said when it comes to deciding if her third grader and pre-kindergartner will stay virtual, it’s a no brainer for her.
"We wanted to keep them safe and I just still don’t see that happening in the school setting yet," Ledee said. "I get calls at least once or twice a week that somebody in their school has been infected with the virus."
When students returned to in-person learning in November after locking in their choice for the semester, the COVID-19 case count was in the 300s. Now parents are locking in that choice again, but the School District of Palm Beach County's COVID-19 dashboard case count is more than 1,300.
"As much as the state is encouraging them to go back in the classroom, I think a lot off parents, as well as some of the older students, don’t feel that safe yet," said math coach Steven Silberberg from Glades Central Community High School.
Silberberg is grateful to have been granted remote work a few months ago, and he hopes the new choices won’t change that.
To choose your child's mode of instruction for the second semester in the School District of Palm Beach County, click here.