Perkins County’s seniors finally got to finish out their year with a traditional graduation ceremony Saturday, while a new school year is just two weeks away. Here, Trye Hickey pays tribute to his mother Sharla with a big hug.
Schools reopening Aug. 19
In the midst of a nationwide debate whether schools should re-open in-person or not due to COVID-19, Perkins County Schools plans to welcome students back into the classroom Aug. 19.
Superintendent Phillip Picquet and his staff of administrators, teachers and support staff have spent countless hours this summer preparing and reviewing all of the protocols necessary to get students back in the physical classroom.
Their work resulted in the “COVID Return to Learn 2020-2021” that was released on the school’s website Tuesday.
In addition, parents and guardians will receive a letter from the school outlining the plan.
Picquet said the plan calls for operating under three different risk protocols:
• GREEN—low risk of spread;
• ORANGE—moderate or elevated risk of spread; and
• RED—severe risk of spread.
Despite a recent outbreak of coronavirus in Grant, Picquet said the plan still calls for opening under the green risk scenario.
In that scenario, school at both the elementary and jr./sr. high school will operate as normally as possible, with safety precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Those precautions include frequent hand washing for at least 20 seconds after touching high-contact surfaces, use of hand sanitizer after classroom transitions or touching high- contact surfaces and extensive, ongoing cleaning of the buildings.
Water fountains will be closed with students carrying water bottles that can be filled at specified bottle fill-up stations.
Other precautions include changes in the cafeteria procedures, assigned seating in classrooms and on route buses and established entry and exit points.
Orange level protocols will be more strict and could include use of outside facilities to spread students out and limit contact.
If red level protocols are ever put into place, that means all school buildings will be closed. e-learning will be implemented once again and emphasis will be placed on core subjects.
A full listing of the COVID-19 protocols for each risk level appear on the school’s website, perkinscountyschools.org .
Testing early on
When school closed last March, spring assessment testing was lost. As a result, Picquet said assessment testing will take place during the second week of school.
He said it’s so key to measure where students stand academically, especially after completing the balance of the school year via online learning.
Results of this testing will be shared with parents via mail and also during parent-teacher conferences set for Sept. 15.
Picquet said it’s important to get this information to parents early in the year.
Optional e-learning
Picquet noted not all parents or their students may be comfortable returning the classroom. That’s why they created an opt-out plan with instruction to be delivered by e-learning.
If that route is chosen, Picquet made it clear that the students must attend e-learning classes and be accountable for completing assignments and homework as a part of grade promotion.