Schools
Metro Nashville Public School Family Decision Surveys Are Due Sept. 15
Parents and guardians are being asked if they prefer their kids continue virtual learning or go to school in person.
September 8, 2020
As Metro Schools continues to monitor COVID-19 trends in Davidson County, the district is preparing for students to return to face-to-face learning by asking parents and guardians to tell us if they want to continue virtually or come to schools in person. Classroom schedules and teacher assignments will be based on whether students will attend virtually or in person, and this may result in your student being assigned a new teacher or teachers to meet their needs. Survey Response Due: Tuesday, September 15
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We are asking families of students to inform us of your decision by Tuesday, September 15, 2020. Please note:
You will need to complete a separate survey for each child enrolled in MNPS, with the exception of charter schools.
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You can fill out the survey on any computer, tablet, or smartphone with Internet access. A link to the survey is below.
These decisions will be for the remainder of the school year so resources can be properly allocated to ensure fewer interruptions in learning.
Families will be provided an opportunity in December to change their decision for the second semester, which will start in January of 2021.
If we do not receive a response to the decision survey from you, we will assume your child will be attending in person. But please know that we are committed to continuing to provide a high-quality virtual curriculum with support for families who choose to remain in the virtual setting.
Phasing in
MNPS is first inviting a small population of students with exceptional needs back to their schools this month, followed by our youngest learners (starting with grades Pre-K to 2nd grade) in elementary school after the fall break. The dates for each grade to return will be announced in a separate communication and will depend on continued progress in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the community and within our schools.
Survey Link
To respond to the Family Decision Survey, click the link for your language of preference.
Access Code is your student username (all lowercase, same as email address but without @mnpsk12.org):
Amharic | Arabic | Burmese | Kurdish | Nepali | Somali | Spanish | Swahili | Vietnamese
Frequently Asked Questions for Parents and Guardians
Translations for the Frequently Asked Questions are available in the following languages: Arabic | English | Nepali | Vietnamese
Coming Soon: Amharic | Burmese | Kurdish | Somali | Spanish | Swahili
Please also use the website translation tool at the bottom left of this webpage.
Q: How do I submit my family’s decision?
A: Metro Schools is working with our survey partner, Panorama Education, to administer the Family Decision Survey online.
For primary guardians with a valid email address on file in Infinite Campus, you should have received an email invitation from Panorama Education to complete the survey.
Alternately, to submit your family’s decision, please visit the Panorama Education webpage and enter your student’s MNPS username in lowercase letters as the “access code”
Student usernames are used to log into MNPS laptops and GlobalProtect. They are similar to email addresses but do not include @mnpsk12.org at the end.
You can fill out the survey on any computer, tablet, or smartphone with Internet access. If you need help, please contact the Family Information Center at 615-259-INFO (4636) or familyinfo@mnps.org.
Q: I do not know my student’s MNPS username. What should I do?
A: Please contact the Family Information Center at 615-259-INFO (4636) or familyinfo@mnps.org.
Q: When I try to access the survey for my student, it is not there or it was already completed. What should I do?
A: Please contact the Family Information Center at 615-259-INFO (4636) or familyinfo@mnps.org.
Q: Do I have to complete a separate survey for each child?
A: Yes, families must submit one decision survey for each child enrolled in Metro Nashville Public Schools, with the exception of charter schools.
Q: When is my decision due?
A: We are asking families to inform us of your decision by Tuesday, September 15 so schools can prepare accordingly.
Q: Can I change my decision?
A: Prior to the deadline, you may change your decision by contacting the Family Information Center at 615-259-INFO (4636) or familyinfo@mnps.org.
Once the deadline has passed, these decisions will be for the remainder of the school year so that resources can be properly allocated to ensure fewer interruptions in learning.
Families will be provided an opportunity in December to change their decision for the second semester starting in January of 2021.
Q: The wrong school is listed for my child in Panorama. What should I do?
A: The decision submitted in Panorama will be linked to your student regardless of school. Please complete the survey for your child anyway and MNPS will ensure that this decision moves with the student to the correct school.
Q: Who can complete the Family Decision Survey?
A: The student’s legal guardian should submit your family’s decision. Only one decision can be made for each child.
Q: How can I confirm that my decision was received?
A: When filling out the survey, please provide your email address to request an email confirmation of your decision. If you do not receive email confirmation within 3 business days, please contact the Family Information Center at 615-259-INFO (4636) or familyinfo@mnps.org.
Q: What will in-person learning look like when students return?
A: Here is what you can expect at all MNPS schools:
Masks over mouth and nose will be required for all students and staff.
Any student who exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 such as a temperature of 100.4 or above, a cough, shortness of breath, or sudden loss of taste or smell will not be able to attend.
Classroom sizes will be limited by the maximum requirements set forth by the Tennessee law:
- 7 to 12: Maximum of 35 students, average of 30
- 4 to 6: Maximum of 30 students, average of 25
- K to 3: Maximum of 25 students, average of 20
Classrooms will be configured to maximize social distancing and prevent the spread of COVID-19, but most will not be able to create 6 feet of distance between students in normal settings.
If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, they will be required to self-isolate for 10 days.
If a student or staff member is determined to be a close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, that person will be required to quarantine for 14 days.
In-person and virtual learning will be based on the Florida Virtual School curriculum to allow uninterrupted learning if classes or schools must be closed for quarantine.
As schools become aware of positive cases or the need to quarantine, families will be informed. However, we will not be able to share the name(s) of the individual(s) who are positive due to student and health privacy laws.
Some classes may be taught virtually while students are present in the school building due to personnel constraints.
Health officials and the public have learned a lot about COVID-19 since it first emerged late last year; however, they are still learning new information every day. As we learn more and get updated guidance, we will make adjustments accordingly.
Q: Can I complete the Family Decision Survey in a language other than English?
A: Yes, the survey is available online in these additional languages:
Amharic | Arabic | Burmese | Kurdish | Nepali | Somali | Spanish | Swahili | Vietnamese
Access Code is the student username (all lowercase, same as email address but without @mnpsk12.org)
If you need support in other languages, please contact the Family Information Center at 615-259-INFO (4636) or familyinfo@mnps.org.
Q: Can my student still do extracurricular activities, regardless of the choice?
Students will be able to participate in extracurricular activities whether they choose in-person or virtual.
Q: My child is enrolled in a charter school. Do I need to submit my family’s decision to MNPS?
A: No, for students enrolled in charter schools, please contact your child’s school directly.
Q: Where can I find more information about the returning to school plan?
A: For information on guidelines and expectations for returning to school, families can read the Safe Return section of the Back to School webpage.
This press release was produced by the Metro Nashville Public Schools. The views expressed are the author's own.