Submitted by Ethan Sickels,
Rock Port Superintendent
Once July 1st hit, it was officially the beginning of the 2020-21 school year! These past few months have certainly been unique and challenging for everyone, and I am certainly ready for a new start to this upcoming school year.
I wanted to touch base on a few things as we look into starting school again in August. There will be more guidance about specific school procedures and guidelines later this month, and we plan on sending out letters the week of July 20th with that information. For now, here are the basics I want to share. Keep in mind, our plans are very fluid and may certainly change based on data in our county, as well as our surrounding area and state.
• Our current plan is starting school on August 26, which is our originally scheduled date. We plan to educate in our building to the fullest extent possible, with all of our students here at the same time. Depending on data and how things go throughout the year, virtual education may be necessary.
• We feel we can structure classrooms to provide appropriate social distancing. We have and will continue to sanitize our classrooms throughout the school year. We are adding hand sanitizer stations at our entrances, and have begun purchasing extra sanitizer, spray, soap, etc. to assist in our efforts to keep our students and staff safe and healthy.
• Masks will be needed . . . however, their usage varies for each student and staff member throughout the day. Much of that depends on class size and other circumstances. Masks will be required on the school bus. The school will be purchasing a cloth mask for each student and staff member, but if you have a cloth mask your student prefers to wear, that is great.
• Currently we are still evaluating the best procedures to screen students and staff when they come to school each day, as well as our breakfast/lunch/cafeteria procedures.
• Screening at home for symptoms will be very important in helping keep our school doors open this year. If your student is showing symptoms of any illness, please keep them home. Our school will not be penalized for attendance numbers this year, and we will not be enforcing many of our normal attendance guidelines.
• Athletics – we are moving forward as if everything will be possible. At this time we have not received guidance from the state suggesting otherwise.
• Finally, we are adjusting our registration dates for junior high and high school students so schedules can be finalized. Here is that updated registration information:
Monday, July 27 – Senior registration open 9:00-11:30 a.m. & 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 28 – Junior registration open 9:00-11:30 a.m. & 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 29 – Sophomore/Freshman registration open 9:00-11:30 a.m. & 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 30 – Junior high registration open 9:00-11:30 a.m. & 1:00-3:00 p.m.
• Elementary registration dates remain the same as originally scheduled, which is August 13 and 14, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Most of you who know me realize I call it like I see it. No need to sugar coat it. This year won’t be the school setting we have been used to, and it will certainly be a challenging year for everyone involved, including our parents and community. Some of the decisions we have to make at the school level may not be popular in everyone’s opinion. However, I ask you keep in mind those decisions are based on 430 individuals in our building . . . not only trying to provide a great educational and work environment, but also keeping everyone as safe and healthy as possible this year. It’s a huge task, but one I believe as a school community we can achieve. I firmly believe the best education happens within our school building, and we are planning our year to provide as much of that as possible . . . while keeping our fingers crossed some outside factors work in our favor as well!
That’s all for now . . . please take care, stay safe and healthy. Here’s looking forward to a fantastic 2020-21 school year, and as always I leave you with three important words . . . GO BIG BLUE!
