Return to Learn e-Newsletter
July 10, 2020
Timeline
What Model Will Ankeny "Choose"?
Ankeny Schools’ intent and desire is to return to school in full this fall. There are many details surrounding this that are still being finalized. Of course, this will require additional safety measures and some new practices for all of us- students, staff, and the community- but we are committed to completing the necessary work for a safe return.
The plans we are creating this summer are to be prepared in the event the State issues public guidance, due to the pandemic, that would require us to transition to a hybrid or distance learning (required continuous learning) model. However, our first option and desired outcome is a full return to school on August 24, 2020.
The parameters established by the State of Iowa for families desiring open enrollment to online schools due to COVID-19 can be found here. This open enrollment option is available through July 15 if a student or a family member who resides with the student has a documented underlying health condition.
- Outside of open enrollment, there are options such as Competent Private Instruction (also known as homeschool). Information on how to enroll for homeschooling can be found here.
- As other options become available, we will be sure to provide the information to our community.
We know that families need to be able to plan for the coming year. We are committed to developing plans that support the diverse needs of more than 12,000 students and align with the mission of our school district: Ankeny Community Schools is unified in its commitment, passion, and vision so every learner is prepared to achieve a lifetime of personal success.
New Safety Measures
We recognize the need to plan for students/staff with disabilities/medical conditions that may not be able to wear a face covering.
We will follow the guidance of federal and state authorities in developing our plans and monitor this guidance as it evolves. Part of this plan will be specific guidance on how mask breaks will be planned during the school day. We acknowledge that students will need to be taught the proper use of masks, similar to how we teach students to use tissues and wash their hands at appropriate times. The guidance we are following on the use of face masks is the Centers for Disease Control’s “Considerations for Wearing Cloth Face Coverings.”
Community Forum and School Planning Survey
You can learn more about the district’s Return to Learn plans before completing the survey by attending the virtual community forum on July 23 where the district will share the draft Return to Learn plans. A video of the forum will be available online by July 24.