(Atlantic) The Atlantic School District will release to parents and staff the 65-page return-to –learn document today.
Atlantic Schools Superintendent Steve Barber says the document reflects the work of the district leadership teams, sub-committees in critical areas, CDC, and guidelines from the Iowa Department of Public Health. The document also includes a remote learning schedule.
Barber says the intention is to start classes on-site. A lot of the information provides guidance for the health and safety of students on campus, Iowa academic standards, and tools are in place for remote learning. “We are attempting to create social distancing as one of our major mitigation strategies and other mitigation strategies helpful to the health and safety of our staff and students,” said Barber.
The mitigation includes removing soft surfaces, keeping doors open, PPE is available for all staff members, required hand washing, foggers, and many other mitigation strategies dealing with the current situation of COVID-19.
The plan includes social distancing, in other words, students will be spread out. “Is that going to look like the traditional start where you have 25 students in one classroom, no,” said Barber. “It may look a little bit different, but we’re going to serve and support six-foot distancing as a top priority and help teachers find innovative ways to serve students in two different locations.”
Additionally, the staff is receiving training in google classroom, see-saw, zoom, IXL, and other helpful tools for needed for remote teaching.
Keep in mind; everything is subject to change under the circumstances with COVID-19. For example, late last week, the CDC changed the recommendation from 72-hours fever-free, to 24 hours fever free. “There are changes throughout this entire process, and hopefully we’re successful on-site so we can remain that way,” said Barber. “We’re identifying the students and families considered high-risk and reaching out to them in regards to remote learning. We do anticipate the lion’s share of our students will return to the campus.”
Details are currently being ironed out for transportation and food service. Student registration goes out on August 3, and the first day of class is August 24.
For information on the Return to Learn Plan visit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15qoq7-bMm8hj3JBf3sU52AUsA7AwOGGM5VgDz5nO7Bo/edit
