Back-to-School Plans Announced
In Person Classes? Virtual? Blended? At Watonga, the Answer is Yes!
The Watonga back to school plan was like a multiple-choice test question. Do schools reopen with in person classes? Do schools reopen with virtual classes? Do schools offer a blended option of both online and in person classes?
At Watonga, the answer is ‘D, all of the above.’
Superintendent Mark Batt outlined the reopening plan July 27 at the regular board meeting, while reminding the board it would have to remain fully flexible because there is no way to know what the future will hold for education.
But the essence of the plan is each teacher will teach from his/her classroom. The same lessons will go to every student. It is up to the parent to decide if the instruction is in person or on a computer. The classes will be captured and streamed via camera and audio. Any student whether in the room or connected virtually can interact with the teacher, asking questions and hearing the questions and answers from other students.
Grades, testing and expectations are the same for every student, whether they are online or in a classroom.
If students are taking in person classes and the virus threat becomes elevated, lessons can go to all virtual. If a student is distance learning and struggling, that student can resume in person classes for added structure.
The blended option is also available. “They can go back and forth as desired,” Batt said. “When parents feel it is safe to send children to school they may do so, or they can keep them home if they need to be quarantined. Either way they haven’t missed a thing.”
In this plan the need for absences is greatly reduced. “This is the most flexible plan we could come up with,” Batt said. “They can log in, do their assignments and they are counted as present. “
“So they could go to stock show for four days or go to a sports tournament and come back all caught up ?” asked board member Aaron Clewell. He was correct in his assessment.
The board had originally hoped to start school Aug. 13, but a backlog in camera orders necessitated pushing the opening to Aug. 27. Students will have two days of school, a weekend, a full week of classes, then the Labor Day holiday.
The cameras can be remote controlled so that the teacher can focus on themselves, a whiteboard, chalk board or other teaching tool.
The audio and camera system is expected to cost about $130,000 to equip every class. Batt said half the money is from CARES Act funding and the remainder is from the school’s general fund.
Connie Burcham can be reached at Editor@WatongaRepublican.com
• School begins Aug. 27
• In person classes
• Virtual classes
• Combined virtual and in person
• Some teachers may require masks
• Extra-curricular activities are open to all students
• Other situations apply to special ed and very young students
• Keeping campuses open based on color-coded virus threat level
• Elevated threat levels may require changing campus populations, schedules
• Students will be screened each day for health issues
Masked Bison Herd Returns to School Hallways August 13
Geary public schools will begin classes Aug. 13 working under the ‘Plan A’ outlined on the school website. Plan A is for students to be on site full time.
There are two other plans, B, which is a blended virtual and onsite and C, which is fully virtual distance learning.
“The goal of these plans is to implement policies and procedures to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and visitors to our school to the best of our abilities,” wrote Superintendent Todd Glasgow.
Hopes are that parents or guardians and employees will screen students or themselves at home each day before reporting for class or work. Each student or staff member will have a temperature check every day at the bus or building.
Any student or employee with a temperature of more than 100 degrees will not be allowed to return to the school for 14 days or until there is a negative test for Covid-19. A doctor’s note must be provided. Any visitor to the campuses is subject to screening for fever or other symptoms.
Staff members will wear masks and students will also be asked to wear masks with allocated break time without masks. School bus riders must wear masks and each vehicle will be sanitized after each use. Mask guidelines will be issued at registration.
If a student is faced with quarantine, they will keep up with their education via virtual lessons, a decision reached at the July 8 special meeting of the school board.
Plans are to stagger breakfast and lunch times so that the lunchroom is not overcrowded and social distancing may be observed. Tables and chairs will be sanitized frequently, Students may also eat in the old gym. Seniors will be allowed to leave campus for lunch but must have temperatures checked and use hand sanitizer when they return.
During class changes, at class dismissal or bathroom breaks, students must mask up and they cannot congregate in the halls. Gym time will be scheduled to allow for social distancing and assemblies will be held in the field house with each grade using a designated space spread around the seating area.
As far as shared technology, students will be asked to use hand sanitizer before and after using computers in the lab. Recent purchases of technology should eliminate the need to share technology.
Students will be spaced out in their classrooms and discouraged from sharing supplies or personal items.
When a member of the school community, either staff or student, has been in contact with a Covid-19 patient, they will be asked to stay home and selfmonitor as well as seek testing for the virus. They won’t be allowed to return to school until they have a negative test or have quarantined for 14 days. During that period, the students can use distance learning.
When a member of the school community, either staff or student, tests positive for the virus, the school will shut down for 72 hours during which time the buildings will be disinfected. With guidance from the Blaine County Health Department, the school will reopen when it is deemed safe to do so. Students will use distance learning in the meantime.
Connie Burcham can be reached at Editor@WatongaRepublican.com
• School starts in person Aug. 13
• Staff and students screened each day
• Buses, lunch room and classes disinfected daily
• Masks required with breaks allowed
• Masks for all bus riders
• Students in quarantine can access virtual learning
• Meal times are staggered to avoid overcrowding
• Social distancing, hand washing and sanitizer will be emphasized