OCPS parents: Check with your school about your student's assigned instructional model

When Orange County Public Schools first asked parents to choose from three learning options for their children, officials said children of parents who did not complete the survey would be enrolled in the Face-to-Face option.

That is no longer the case.

"Families that did not respond to the Choice Registration are being contacted directly by their school," OCPS Media Relations Manager Michael Ollendorff said. "This information was updated on the School Reopening Plan FAQ page, as well as being communicated to families by ConnectOrange message."

Ollendorff said the change occurred nearly two weeks ago. The extended deadline for parents to submit their Choice Registration passed eight days ago, on Monday, July 27.

According to communication sent to parents of Horizon West Middle School Monday, Aug. 3, children of parents who did not complete the survey now will be enrolled automatically in the district's LaunchEd@Home option.

"Thank you for the responses we received regrding your student's school choice of learning this first quarter," Horizon West Middle Principal Michelle Thomas wrote to parents. "If you have not responded, your child will be automatically default to LaunchEd@Home." 

This change comes after OCPS announced it would begin the 2020-21 school year using LaunchEd@Home Monday, Aug. 10. Earlier, Orange County School Board members indicated they were considering changing the first day of school to Friday, Aug. 21. 

Parents who have questions regarding the status of their students' instructional model should contact the schools at which they are enrolled.