Southern Boone drafts COVID-19 school re-entry plan
ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Southern Boone County R-I School District has drafted a re-entry plan for students to return to the classroom.
The district is planning to have regular five day, in-person learning for all students. However, the framework for returning to class this year is still a draft and has not been approved by the school board.
The board could approve the plan at its Sept. 14 meeting.
The 2020-21 school year starts on Sept. 8 and under the draft plan will include some changes in order to give students and staff a safer school environment.
Click here for a link to re-entry plans for schools around Mid-Missouri
Staff must wear masks during the duration of the school day, according to the plan, particularly when physical social distancing is not possible.
Students will be required to wear a mask when physical distancing is not possible. They will also be spread out throughout the classroom to further physical distancing.
The use of community supplies that are harder to disinfect in classrooms will be limited.
If possible, schedules will be staggered to reduce large gatherings in hallways.
Students will be taught and practice the safety procedures in classrooms during the first week of school.
Southern Boone Superintendent Chris Felmlee said parents could get an updated draft before school begins.
“The draft went out to parents and we’ll probably update it before school starts and then send it again to the community with any additional updates,” Felmlee said.
The plan also says parents are encouraged to bring their student(s) to school instead of their child riding the bus if possible. However, in cases where school transportation is needed a few plans have been put in place.
“We’ll be running traditional routes but in general we’ll still be proving school transportation,” Felmlee said. “Parents can drop their kids off, they don’t necessarily have to walk in the building with their kids.”
All drivers are required to wear masks when transporting students. All drivers will also take the students’ temperatures as they board the bus.
All buses will load students from the back to the front and siblings will sit together.
Students will also be required to wear masks on the bus.
If a student has a 100 degree temperature or higher the student will not be allowed to attend school. Parents will be notified to pick their student up.
The plan also says that in the event contact tracing is necessary, students will be assigned seats on the bus.
The district does have other plans in place if the in-person learning plan does not work out.
Families who wish to research virtual options offered by the district are asked to contact the central office or contact their student;s principal, says Felmlee.
