R-2 issues basic guidelines, back-to-school requirements

By Roxie Murphy, Staff Writer
Posted 7/29/20

BELLE — Maries R-2 School District released on July 20 a one-page plan outlining what safety precautions they would have to have in place in order to reopen classes Aug. 25 for the 2020-21 …

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R-2 issues basic guidelines, back-to-school requirements

Posted

BELLE — Maries R-2 School District released on July 20 a one-page plan outlining what safety precautions they would have to have in place in order to reopen classes Aug. 25 for the 2020-21 school year.

Superintendent Dr. Lenice Basham said this is not the district’s full plan to keep students safe.

“We will be discussing a full re-entry plan at the Tuesday (July 28) Board meeting,” Basham said. “This is just an outline of what we have to do in order to reopen the schools.”

In the message to the community, the district said, “it is the belief of this district that our students learn best when in the classroom with amazing teachers. We believe that the safety precautions our students will be best served with on-campus instruction. We will continue to monitor our community and changes may be made based on recommendations from the Health Department as the year progresses.”

The district reported the safety precautions they would take and what the students could do if they wished.

Buses will run as normal, but families will be asked to sit together in household units. Parents who can transport their children are encouraged to do so to reduce the numbers on the bus.

The district’s schools will run as normal with additional sanitizing precautions, such as frequent hand washing, use of hand sanitizers, using social distancing procedures when possible, along with frequent cleaning in the classrooms and heavy use areas (desks, bathrooms, handrails). The custodial staff will clean high-traffic areas hourly.

Use of water fountains will be discouraged.

“We would like all students to bring a bottle of water with them daily,” the release stated.

Operating procedures

• Masks are not required — but you are welcome to send one with your child if you prefer them to wear one. Teachers will wear masks at their discretion.

• Teachers will take temperatures in the classrooms when students arrive.

• Isolation rooms will be used to isolate students who show COVID symptoms.

The district advises that they will need parents to help them keep the schools and students safe. Each day parents should:

• Monitor their child’s health before sending them to school. If the child displays any COVID-19 symptoms, keep them home.

• If the child has a temperature above 100 degrees, parents will be required to keep the child home for three days after the temperature is normal and no medication is being taken.

• A child who exhibits shortness of breath, loss of sense, smell or taste and a cough, parents will be required to keep the child home and should contact their healthcare provider.

A message from Basham said, “We will do everything possible to keep your child safe while at school. You will receive more detailed information prior to school starting. If you are not sending your child back to in-seat classes, please contact your building principal about virtual options for your child. A three-phase re-entry plan with specific details for the year will be posted prior to school beginning.”

The Maries County Advocate will report on the district’s re-opening plan in the Aug. 5 edition. (See story titled “Maries R-2 board expects to discuss, adopt school re-entry plan” starting on page 1).