Switch or stay put? Orange County parents face looming decision deadline whether to swap face-to-face, distance learning

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — It may feel like the school year just started, but Orange County parents have another deadline for an important decision looming over their children’s education.

The parents must decide whether their children remain in  face-to-face classes, in distance learning programs, or swap methods.

READ: Orange County Public Schools to see more shifting of teachers due to COVID-19

Orange County parents have until Sept. 18 to decide whether their children will stay put or make the switch from one to the other for the next nine-week term, which doesn’t begin until Oct. 13.

OCPS officials said they want parents to decide three weeks before the switch so schools will have ample time to make preparations, including figuring out new class sizes, how many teachers need to be in person, and more.

READ: OCPS to test all football players, coaches for COVID-19

As of now, 34% of students are participating in face-to-face learning districtwide.

VIDEO: Orange County Public Schools losing students