Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
School opening plan pending approval by county and state
TEN SLEEP – The Washakie County School District No. 2 Board of Trustees met in a special session on Friday, July 24, to discuss the school’s reopening plan, and approve a shared employee with Washakie County School District No. 1.
The main discussion of the board was the use of masks on students being a requirement which, according to Superintendent Jimmy Phelps, the board determined that due to small classroom size, students are not required to wear masks this upcoming school year due to the ability to social distance on buses, in the classroom and in the lunchroom.
PLAN HIGHLIGHTS
According to the Smart Start Plan Draft, parents are expected to verify that children are not sick or demonstrating any symptoms each day and will keep students home if there is any doubt about illness. Staff is expected to stay home if sick and will assess their own condition each day.
The plan has the same three options of reopening that were suggested by the Wyoming Department of Education.
Students and staff that exhibit symptoms during the day will be isolated to a designated location at the school, put on a face covering and have their temperature checked.
Students or staff who believe they have symptoms of COVID-19 may take a rapid response test at Washakie Medical Center free of charge to the individual.
In the plan, students arriving by bus will enter through the east doors of the school, and those arriving by parent drop-off or student drivers will enter through the west entrance. Anyone entering the building is expected to sanitize their hands and sanitizing stations will be available throughout the district buildings.
In the plan, students will attempt to stay in “cohorts of classmates” and limit personal interactions throughout the day. If these cohorts rotate to other spaces, rooms, equipment and materials will be disinfected prior to the next groups arrival and sharing of equipment will be limited.
ONLINE OPTION
Knowing that in-person learning might not be feasible or safe for every family, an online learning option will be available to those who are impacted by COVID-19. According to the plan, parents will have the choice to enroll their children for either in-person or full-time online.
According to the draft plan, “all school events such as school assemblies, pep rallies, plays, dances, concerts, back-to-school nights, etc. will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine whether or not they can safely be held.”
No action was taken on the plan, but Phelps said the plan was sent for approval, and they plan to host a Zoom meeting with parents prior to school starting with no date set at this time.
According to Phelps, after an executive session, the board approved a partnership with Worland to allow music teacher Mike Adams to teach in Worland for three periods.