The plan, which was developed with the help of the Purchase District Health Department, has students returning on August 24. The late start date will allow the school system to get around the mandated 170 days of schooling, although they are still required to achieve 1062 instructional hours. To achieve the required number of hours, they will be adding 25 minutes to each school day.
Shively says under the new plan, all breaks will be the same as the Board approved calendar for 2020-2021.
Going into the school year, one of the main goals will be to educate students the best way possible, while following the safety guidelines established by the state in their effort to reduce the chance of spreading COVID-19.
Shively said, "We have to educate children. I believe that's best if you're at school, but at the same time I respect every parents decision to be able to do that at home. So you have to make that decision for your child, and you have the support system there to do that."
In following CDC and state guidelines, all students will be required to wear a mask when on a bus, any time they're moving within the school, and any time that social distancing isn't possible.
According to Shively, they will be maximizing the six-foot social distancing rule so they can minimize the amount of time everyone has to wear a mask.
He says they are going to do everything they can to implement social distancing, so that when students are seated and learning, they can have their masks lowered, although it will be optional.
"Wearing a mask, it's like your shirt, it's like your shoes, we expect you to bring it with you. If you try to get on the bus and don't have it, we're going to give it to you. If you try to walk in school without it when you get dropped off, we're going to give it to you." Shively continued, "What we expect basically, is when you're moving, you're masking."
Students that will receive instruction at school will be divided into groups which will be based on families and neighborhoods. Those groups will be given a day at home each week.
Shively says they have purchased technology for their 4th grade through 12th grade students to help them learn at home. Existing technology was passed down to Kindergarten through 3rd grade students.
Additionally, parents will be receiving a survey through the school district's communication system, which will give them until July 28 to decide if they want their child to receive instruction at home or at school. Parents will also be given the option of changing their decision at the end of the fall semester.
Additionally, parents will be receiving a survey through the school district's communication system, which will give them until July 28 to decide if they want their child to receive instruction at home or at school. Parents will also be given the option of changing their decision at the end of the fall semester.
You can see Shively's full plan below.
