Log in Subscribe

Return to Learn

Posted

Purcell School Superintendent Dr. Sheli McAdoo shared the district’s Return to Learn plan to board members on Monday.

She cited a survey of teachers and parents that indicated they want kids back in school.

And that’s the plan – with some caveats and the realization that the closure of classes and the district will be possible.

“We will follow CDC guidelines to the best of our ability,” she said.

In addition, the district is working with the Oklahoma State Department of Health, which has a 4-stage green through red alert system ranking counties by new daily cases of the virus per 100,000 population.

At this time, there are no red or high risk counties. McClain County is one of four orange (moderate risk) counties. There are 62 yellow (low risk) counties and 11 green (new normal) counties.

The district’s focus will be to limit exposure to the virus and keeping student learning at a high level.

Teachers and staff are trained to the Expert I level on Google Classroom.

“Dragons are ready to start the year on August 13,” McAdoo said.

Return to Learn is based on three areas – plan, prepare and perform.

Social distancing will be in place when students return and the learning environment will be a blend of traditional (face-to-face) and virtual platforms.

Concurrent courses will be available and attendance will be monitored in both blended and virtual classes.

Cleaning will intensify in high touch areas.

Teachers and staff will wear masks. While the district cannot mandate students be masked, they are encouraged to wear masks or gaiters, a facial covering.

Parents will be asked to fill out a daily self-assessment.

Because buses present a challenge for social distancing, parents will be asked to provide transportation, McAdoo said.

The district will limit sharing of school devices and reminds students and parents there will be NO sharing of individual school supplies.

Anyone who tests positive and is asymptomatic must complete 10 days quarantine from the date of the test.

Those who exhibit symptoms and test positive must have normal temperature for three consecutive days, followed by 10 days quarantine before they can return to school.

Compliance is left to the individual or parent.

“We can’t force anyone to tell us if they have a positive test,” McAdoo said.

Anyone who is ill and it isn’t COVID-19 should stay home.

Education Station and the district’s after school care program will remain open.

At the end of the day, the decision to close classes will be McAdoo’s.

But the district will do its best to stay open, she pledged.

In other business, the board:

  • revised the 2020-21 school calendar to the hourly method;
  • approved a resolution condemning racism and affirming the district’s commitment to be an inclusive school environment for all;
  • authorized McAdoo to sign all current fiscal year expenditure reports, disbursements and cash receipts filed with the Oklahoma State Department of Education, and
  • approved updates to district policies for online instruction, use of school property, district screening protocol, records search, sexual harassment of students, sexual harassment incident reports, written notice regarding sexual harassment allegations, student attendance, medical exemption review and extracurricular activities emergency medical services.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here