#KSD Reimagine
Update from Kuna Superintendent Wendy Johnson
9.10.2021
In this update:
- What we're expecting in the challenging weeks ahead
- Did you know a little more than 700 adults serve our more than 5,715 students?
- Bus services
- Nutrition services
- Health services
- Technology services
- Custodial services
- Classroom instruction
- About masks
- About our data dashboards
Help us recognize the great people in our school district
COVID Student and Staff Data Dashboards
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What we're expecting in the challenging weeks ahead
Throughout this pandemic, I've strived to share information - the good, the bad, & the ugly -- with staff and families so you will know what's happening and can prepare -- and you can help.
I want to outline the challenges we face. Knowing these challenges, we can come together around our shared goal to support our students, teachers and staff and stay open to serve our children.
Spread of COVID in our community
Last month, state officials shared projections of COVID cases levels with the more contagious Delta variant. (See graphic above.)
They predicted then, that positive COVID cases would climb steeply, peaking in mid-October. This week, state leaders reported the projections are becoming reality. State Board of Education President Kurt Liebech said: “The next four to six weeks are going to be really challenging.”
Our biggest challenge continues to be the same as the past two years: staffing.
Did you know a little more than 700 adults serve our more than 5,715 students?
Idaho funds a basic school system. We have an amazing team of teachers, transportation staff, nutrition staff, custodial and maintenance staff, nursing and health staff, support staff, and administrators. In sports terms, our team doesn't have a "deep bench" and in many cases no bench to draw from when members get sick or have to be away from work to tend to family.
We often hear "pay more" or "hire more." We are paying more. We are trying to hire more. It's a problem other districts in the Treasure Valley, Idaho and the nation are facing -- and other business are confronting this shortage as well. I am encouraged by Governor Little announcement today of more support for this area of critical need.
Bus services
If you are new to our community you may not know, that our district operates its own bus service. We love the flexibility it provide us and we are able to provide benefits to drivers not offered by contractors.
Our transportation team is comprised of about 40 people. This includes drivers, dispatchers, and mechanics. Yesterday, we let families know that because of illnesses and other absences our services could change and families should prepare for potential changes.
How can you help?
- Drive for us: If you are a good driver, please consider becoming a driver for us or a substitute driver. We will train you. Apply here.
- Make a Plan B for your student: Some school districts with shortages have cut services, and we do not want to do this. However, we have had to consolidated routes to accommodate for absences which means lengthening times students are on buses or late pick-up and drop- off. Students won't be penalized for tardies related to transportation services.
- Be kind: Delays and changes can be frustrating. Our dispatchers who are trained drivers are helping drive routes so staff may not be present if you call with a question. We pride ourselves on providing your families great service -- please know this is frustrating for us, too.
Nutrition services
Our students already have experienced one impact and hopefully, because of our excellent child nutrition team, you may not have noticed.
Disruption in the food supply - School districts nationwide are experiencing shortages. We are finding some of our orders are not completely filled or items are substituted. This has caused menus to be delayed and changed.
Staffing shortages/absences - We have 20 nutrition staff to prepare and serve food, and we need at least 30 staff. We are experiencing absences here, too. Students at our largest schools may see wait times for meals increase as we reduce serving lines. Other schools may see lunch times changes -- impacting the day's schedule as staff travel from school to school to help serve.
How can you help?
- Join our nutrition team: Apply here.
- Volunteer if needed.
Health services
Our health services team includes five nurses and five health aides to support our 5,700 students -- that's a ratio of 1 to 1,140. (There is a national shortage of school nurses, too.)
The team is on the frontline of connecting with school community when they become sick. They also are the ones updating much our data about illnesses. Like their counterparts at hospitals and clinics, they are challenged by the impact of this pandemic. As cases increase, so does their workload.
How can you help?
- Are you an RN? Join our team as a substitute nurse. Apply here.
- Don't send your child to school if they are sick.
- If your child has a COVID positive test result or symptoms, please report this information to the school.
- Consider COVID vaccines for yourself and your eligible children. The Pfizer vaccine was fully approved recently by the FDA.
Technology services
We have a team of 11 and they are doing an incredible job as we shifted to provide a device for every students and staff member and to make sure our systems work well to support in person and remote learning.
A challenge our team has faced is similar to nutrition -- supply chain issues. We heard from parents about delays getting devices at the start of school. This was affected by delays in the arrival of replacement devices and cords.
How can you help?
- WE NEED OUR CHARGING CORDS BACK! Hundreds of Chromebook charging cords were not returned last year, please check your home and return any you find to any school or the district office.
Custodial services
We began the school year with custodial positions unfilled in the Treasure Valley's tight job market. We are moving forward with contracting services for one of our schools.
- Join our team. Apply here.
Classroom instruction
We've taken steps limiting professional development that requires a teacher to be away from a classroom and other non-illness related absences. Our resilient teachers and staff are supporting each other in covering classes when positions can't be filled.
As COVID positive cases climb in our valley, we expect more absences in the weeks to come.
As we did last year, classrooms, grade levels, and schools may need to shift to remote learning while staff and students recover from illness or stay home to see if symptoms develop from a close contact with a COVID positive individual.
Next week, Initial Point High School will be remote.
How can you help?
- Become a substitute. Apply here.
- Ask your child's teacher if you can help them in any way
- Thank your child's teacher.
- Thank your child's administrator.
About masks
We will continue to use data about COVID in the City and Kuna and in our schools to make decisions about mask use: optional, recommended, and required.
Last week, we shared our first two-week determination using the formula. We were "green" meaning masks are optional. The next determination will be Friday, Sept. 17.
About our data dashboards
We are updating these tools to visualize our data and adding more data points. Also, help our us make sure our data is accurate by quickly reporting if your child tests positive for COVID-19.
Look for more information soon.
Does your family need help? Our food pantry has expanded its hours to better meet your needs
Superintendent Wendy Johnson
Email: ksdcommunications@kunaschools.org
Website: www.kunaschools.org
Location: 711 East Porter Street, Kuna, ID, USA
Phone: 208-922-1000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kuna-Jt-School-District-No-3
Twitter: @Supt_Wendy_J