LEWISTON — Students could be returning to in-person classes every other Wednesday, if the logistics can be worked out, Superintendent Jake Langlais said Monday.

He told the School Committee that families have been contacting him about the possibility. Auburn schools adopted the approach last week.

“We are talking about what it would mean for teachers, transportation and lunches,” Langlais said. “I will come back to you with answers.”

Both districts took a hybrid approach — two days of in-person instruction and three of remote — when schools reopened in the fall. This allows schools to meet state guidelines on social distancing during the pandemic.

Wednesdays were designated for cleaning buildings, teacher preparation and student contacts.

Students in the hybrid groups attend classes in person Monday and Tuesday or Thursday and Friday. If Wednesdays are added, each group would attend on alternating weeks.

Langlais spoke about the possibility after a presentation on a survey of parents that showed overwhelming support for more in-person instruction and a lack of student engagement in remote lessons.

The Lewiston Public Schools Fall 2020 Family Experience Survey taken Dec. 16-28 was designed to get feedback on how the district’s hybrid approach is working and what needs to be adjusted to better meet the needs of families and students.

Among the findings:

• 91.5% said their children look forward to in-person schooling.

• 40.2% said their children look forward to remote instruction.

• 40% said remote teaching did not represent meaningful learning or connection time.

• 37% said their students almost never are live with teachers online during remote schooling.

• 70% said staying motivated to complete schoolwork on remote days was a challenge for their children.

Staying motivated was deemed “by far” the biggest challenge, Susan Williams said in her presentation.

Williams, director of instructional support and educator effectiveness, put together the survey with input from teachers and administrators.

She said communication was a major theme among respondents.

“It was mentioned in almost every comment,” she said.

Committee member Ron Potvin said he had met with constituents about the survey results.

“Ultimately, they want their kids back in school full time, period,” Potvin said. “Is it possible they could come back this year or can we just trash it?”

Langlais said it was possible but not likely.

Under the state guidelines, children have to be at least 3 feet apart, even on buses.

The guidelines would have to change, but even then staffing would be an issue because many teachers are working remotely for health reasons, Langlais said.

Committee member Kiernan Majerus-Collins challenged the results of the survey because only 4% of the respondents were multilingual and English is not their first language.

Children from such families make up 25% of enrollment in Lewiston schools.

“I know the desire was to have a meaningful and reflective picture of what families are feeling, but this is not remotely representative,” Majerus-Collins said. “It is only a certain demographic.”

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