By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
St. Joseph schools plan to reopen as scheduled on August 24th.
St. Joseph school officials today revealed students will have the option of reporting to the classroom or enrolling in online classes.
“We realize that not everyone will be happy or satisfied with everything that is in this plan or that they feel may be missing from this plan,” St. Joseph School Superintendent Doug Van Zyl tells reporters during a news conference at Spring Garden Middle School. “However, the St. Joseph School District is trying to do what is right for our students, staff, and families.”
Parents of St. Joseph school students are being given a choice: send their children back to the classroom or enroll them into the Virtual Academy. Parents must decide if they want to have their children taught online through the Virtual Academy by the 31st of this month.
And, Assistant Superintendent of Academic and Education Services, Marlie Williams, says this online learning will be much different that it was earlier this year.
“I want you to understand that this experience in virtual learning looks much different than the experience our students and our families had in March, April, and May,” Williams says, adding that the Virtual Academy is built to last beyond the coronavirus pandemic.
Several adjustments are being made to make the classroom safe. Disinfecting to keep COVID-19 from spreading will occur throughout the day in classrooms. Buses will be cleaned and disinfected between routes. Children will have assigned seats on buses. Parents who want their children to ride the bus should contact the school district.
Visitation will be restricted. Visitors will be allowed in school buildings only for scheduled meetings. Seniors as well as students in kindergarten and 8th Grade must have up-to-date immunizations before the first day of school.
Coordinator of Nursing Services Maria Burnham says for those returning to the classroom, steps are being taken to keep them safe.
“We will expect staff and students to wear masks,” Burnham says masks will be necessary when social distancing is not possible. “We will do more assigned seating, a little more cohorting and things like that to help ensure the safety of all in our building.”
Breakfast will be served as “grab and go” with students eating in the classroom. Lunch shifts will be staggered and separated in different areas.
Van Zyl leaves open the possibility this will not be the final plan.
“Please also know that this plan is likely to change between now and when our schools may reopen as more information becomes available, as we continue to follow the latest guidance of the public health officials.”
Click here for details on the plan.