I am on the fence about choosing remote or in-person, can we opt into in-person at any time?
We understand the caution and anxiety in returning to in-person learning. We urge you to make a decision that is best for your family by March 11th. Bringing more students back next week is like the beginning of the school year, full of excitement, nerves, and, most importantly, intentional planning. Teachers will all be practicing routines, building community, and setting and practicing our classroom norms. Students have the opportunity to work as a CREW; they will have the opportunity to be in the space together to learn, have fun, and to navigate the change, and teachers will be supporting that transition. We highly recommend making the decision by March 11th so your child feels a part of a cohesive CREW, learning in-school expectations along with their CREW. This will prevent a disruption in the teaching and learning. However, students do have the option to choose in-person learning later in the year.
We may need to do a hybrid type schedule. Is that a possibility?
Unfortunately, a hybrid schedule is not an option. Families have to make the choice of being fully remote or attend 4 days a week of in-person learning. It would be too challenging for teachers to plan and deliver instruction with several different groups of learners.
What will lunch look like?
Groups of students in grade bands (K-2, 3-5, MS) will be spread out 6 ft apart throughout the lunchroom. Clear plastic dividers will be placed in between students. Both external doors will be open. Once the weather is nicer, students will have the opportunity to eat outside. Student meals ordered at Palouse Prairie M/Tu/Th/F will be free of charge for all students. You can find the lunch menu on our website. Students may also bring their own lunch if preferred.
Will future decisions regarding continued in-person school be solely based on data related to the health and safety of our community rather than popular vote?
Our Board will continue to monitor the transmission of COVID-19 in our community and it can make the decision at any time to return to remote learning if board members feel it is unsafe for students to be in-person. Though surveying our families has been a necessary tool during this pandemic year, research has shown, and it has always been our goal, that providing students the option for in-person school is critical for our students’ success and well-being. It will remain our plan as long as it is deemed safe.
Will Wednesday meetups be continued?
Teachers are planning to provide an opportunity for remote students to socially engage with their peers in an outdoor setting once a week. Teachers will make a decision based on their families’ needs on what day this may occur. This may or may not occur on Wednesdays. Some ideas generated so far include a long recess at a park, outdoor physical education, fieldwork, and short adventures.
What outdoor, in-person social & educational interactions will be provided for those continuing on the remote plan?
Teachers are currently collaborating with their colleagues, and gathering information from families that are choosing the remote option, to determine how to offer opportunities for remote learners to engage in outdoor learning and meet-ups with their peers. Stay tuned.
Will other school activities open as well, such as Climbing Club, etc?
Our team is currently in the process of planning how to safely open up other activities such as climbing club, fieldwork and adventure. A proposal will be brought forward at the next board meeting.
Do families still provide snacks?
Yes, families still provide snacks and a water bottle. Appropriate Covid protocols will be in place during snack times.
Will Before School Care still be available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday?
Yes, early morning care is still offered Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday for the same fee, $50 per month. There is a limit to the number of students that can sign up. It is on a first come, first serve basis. Contact the office 208-882-3684 if you would like to sign up your child for before school care.
I'm curious how remote students will "attend" class. For example, will they see the entire classroom or just the teacher in their camera view?
Please refer to this email of February 12 for specific information about remote and in-person learning. During parallel learning, students will primarily see the classroom teacher instructing the entire class, both remote and in-person. However, at times the remote learning may see their entire CREW.
I'm curious why Wednesdays are not being offered since the need to deep-clean and rearrange classrooms between different student "pods" is no longer necessary?
Wednesdays will be reserved for planning for both in-person and remote learning instruction. Teachers will also be using Wednesdays to provide additional support for online learners. Cleaning is not being eliminated but increased. There will be vacuuming and wiping down of all tables, door handles, faucets and high-touch areas after every day of in-person school. In addition, we contract with the district for busing and lunch. The district will not be having in person school on Wednesdays, so we would be unable to offer busing and lunch those days.
Do the free lunches include snacks? Can we send lunch but not milk some days?
Snacks are not included with the free lunches. Milk is included with the federally funded free lunches; however, we are not provided with extra milk boxes. If you’d like your child to have milk with lunch brought from home, you will need to provide it from home.
Will we still have to fill out the daily email check in?
This will no longer be a requirement to turn the check-in via email to the school. However, families should do the daily check in at home before sending students to school to assure their children do not have any symptoms.
