(Avoca) AHSTW students will be returning to school on August 20th.
Superintendent Darin Jones said they explored all three options for the Return to Learn plan; the in-person learning model, the hybrid model, and the distance continuous learning model. He said right now their hope is to return with all students in the building on August 20th.
“We just feel to get students back in and work with them in a face-to-face experience is best right now and we want to be able to do that as much as we can,” said Jones. “We’re going to continue to monitor numbers and if our numbers would change or dictate, we’re still open to altering our model. But, at this time our hope is to return on time with all students.”
Jones said there are several mitigation efforts in place to keep the school building a safe environment for students and staff.
“We’re looking at creating one-way hallways so we don’t have that face-to-face contact in that manner. We’re also taking a look at spreading our desks out as much as we can to promote the social distancing. Also, requiring the use of face masks or face coverings because we could also be utilizing a face shield; and then also our cleaning procedures throughout the course of the school day and at night. One final piece we’re going to be looking at is the use of water bottles versus drinking fountains. Anything that we can do to just increase the safety within our building we’ve looked at extensively.”
Jones explained that if the school would have to shut down, they would go into their continuous distance learning model right away.
“One nice thing that we are taking a look at is we want learning to be face-to-face regardless whether we’re in the building or whether we’re at home, so the board approved the purchase of 30 Owls. Those Owls will then hook into the teacher’s computer; we will use Google Meet as a virtual, live lesson each day. So even, when you talked a little bit earlier about safety measures or parent concerns, if parents would choose to want to use the continuous learning model they can elect to do so and in that case we would use our Owls and Google Meet to provide a face-to-face lesson in which students can be engaged just as they would be in the classroom each day.”
Jones said the Return to Learn plans are fluid right now, but they feel comfortable with the plans that they have in place. “We know school is going to look different. However, the steps that we are taking to make school a safe environment and a great opportunity for the kids is very positive right now. But, we also understand that things may change as the year goes on and we will take everything into consideration and be in contact with Public Health to help us make those decisions at the appropriate times.”
School registration will be held as normal. Jones said parents can utilize JMC for electronic registration if they choose, but everyone can stop in the building to meet with staff as well.
