Submitted by Ethan Sickles,

Rock Port R-II Superintendent

It’s time to begin the 2020-21 school year! I am certainly looking forward to seeing all of our students back in the building for our first week of school. I’ll admit my crystal ball is currently not working . . . so I have no blueprint for how this school year will go. However, I can guarantee whether students are in the building or not, that our staff has been and will continue working their tails off to educate the students of Rock Port R-II in one manner or another!

This is usually the month I discuss our budget, but I will save that for down the road. This month I wanted to reiterate that the best chance we have at keeping our students in the building this year comes down to you, the parents. If your child is showing symptoms of illness, whether COVID related or otherwise, please keep them home. The attendance guidelines from the state have been relaxed this year, and that is the same on our expectations as well. We hope to have our students here in the building as much as possible, but will certainly need your support in ensuring everyone is as healthy and symptom free as possible. We will continue to follow the guidelines provided in our plan mailed to all families in July. Masks will still be necessary when riding any district transportation, entering/exiting the building, specific classrooms, and in hallways during passing times; however, those guidelines may certainly change as we move throughout the year.

The Atchison County Health Department has been a fantastic resource and support for us this summer in preparing for so many uncertainties. The algorithm they created for determining how to handle symptoms was provided in last week’s newspaper. They will continue to be the lead resource for us in case we need to do contact tracing during the school year. While I have my fingers crossed, it is certainly something every school district may encounter this year. I have been extremely appreciative of the community effort over these past few months to prepare for the upcoming year.

As an old coach, I remember the hours spent planning and preparing for the upcoming game. Just like then, I have a feeling once this school year starts, the game plan may have to change frequently like it did during ballgames! We will have to consider what is happening in our building, our community, and in our area, to determine the best educational situation for our students and staff.

With that being said, we are ready for business. Our maintenance staff did their usual wonderful job of having this place looking top-notch as we welcome everyone back. The floors shine, the classrooms have begun to have life again, and the buzz in the school building has definitely picked up. Just like every August, it is time to get started and produce fantastic results in the 2020-21 school year.

That’s all for now. Take care of yourselves, and remember to provide a little more patience and understanding with everyone as we encounter some unknowns for this school year, especially with the students. I’m frustrated sometimes dealing with this world right now as an adult . . . I can’t imagine what it looks like through a child’s eyes. Encourage them, support them, and do your best to look for the positive in everything they do and accomplish this year.

Here’s looking forward to a fantastic school year, and as always I leave you with three important words: GO BIG BLUE!