NE Washington News

Republic School District #309 issued the following announcement on Aug. 21.

QUESTIONS REGARDING INSTRUCTIONAL OPTIONS

What is the difference in rigor between the online program and the in person?

• Due to the fact that the online program is self-paced and students have more flexibility in setting their schedule, the online program will likely require more self-discipline and parent/guardian involvement.

Is there the option of taking advanced classes with the online program?

• Yes, there is a wide variety of Advanced Placement classes available in the online program.

Can my student still participate in sports and other extracurricular activities?

• Yes, if and when these kinds of activities resume, a student enrolled in the online program will be able to participate just as a student attending in-person can participate. Online students are still Tigers and are students of the Republic School District.

If my student takes online classes, will they be able to take metal classes, band, or other individual classes?

• Unfortunately, we will be unable to accommodate having online students come to the school to take in-person classes.

If we choose in-person and the state closes the schools again, what will happen with the students that chose in-person classes?

• We are still looking into details should this occur, which could include utilizing online platforms such as Google Classroom or Edgenuity. We do not plan to send packets of work home each week like we did at the end of last year.

If we choose in person, can we change to online if things change?

• Yes, but you will need to make an appointment with the school to discuss and set up the schedule.

If we choose online, can we change to in-person if the state starts opening up again?

• Yes, although at the high school level, this could be a bit more difficult regarding credit recovery, so we recommend switching at semester.

I’m in Running Start and have only one class at the school. Do I have the option of doing just that one class online?

• Yes, the online program could fulfill the credit requirement.

HEALTH AND SAFETY QUESTIONS

I do not have access to face masks. Where can I get one?

• The school will provide all students with the required face masks, or students can bring their own from home.

How is the school day going to look different? Will the day be split up to decrease the number of contacts the student makes during the day?

• We will be running the same schedule as we have in the past. However, we will be conducting temperature checks of people entering the buildings, we will be enacting social distancing, and will be increasing our cleaning/sanitizing regimen.

What safety measures do you have in place?

• masks required on buses and in school buildings
• health checks required upon entering school buildings, which will include a questionnaire and a temperature scan
• social distancing in the classrooms with student desks being placed six feet apart
• social distancing in the hallways
• social distancing on the buses to the extent possible
• hand sanitizer on the buses, in hallways and in the classrooms
• routine, twice daily sanitization of high-touch surfaces, including desks, doorknobs, buses, etc.

How are you going to enforce the social distancing? I see kids all over town without masks and not social distancing, how will you keep them apart during the school day?

• Students without masks will be provided one. If they refuse to wear the mask as required, they will be sent home. Desks will be set up six feet apart. Markers on the floor will delineate six feet distances.

If one of the in-person students winds up with COVID, what happens with the school at that point? How are you tracking who they have been in contact with?

If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, the local health jurisdiction (Northeast Tri County Health District) will advise, but it is possible that many of the student’s classmates may be considered close contacts and need to be quarantined for 14 days. Each class will conduct roll call each morning so we can provide information to TriCounty Health that may assist with contact tracing. There will be seating charts to help determine possible close contacts.

How are you social distancing students’ pass times between classes?

• There will be increased staff monitoring in the hallways and we will have staggered release times when possible.

How are they social distancing on the bus?

• Students who live in the same household will be able to sit together. Otherwise, bus drivers will be creating seating charts to do their best to maintain social distancing. Masks will be required on the bus and hand sanitizer will be available. Buses will be sanitized after every run/route.  

Original source can be found here.