The pandemic continues to force tough situations upon local school districts.
The USD 383 school district started back in session on Tuesday. The district has now made the transition back to 5 days a week in-person classes with the option to learn remotely. Marvin Wade, USD 383 superintendent, says several aspects went into the decision to start back in-person.
“One of the aspects of us opening up is that our students are, in some cases, safer at school than they are in other environments because we do have the sanitizers, the masking, the protocols in place,” Wade says.
Kristin Brighton, USD 383 board member, adds that they are confident in the steps the district has taken to keep the students safe. She says that now the community needs to step forward and help keep everyone safe.
“If cases continue to increase and we have to look at other measures, I think we’re all, on this call, confident that the problems aren’t going to happen in the buildings,” Brighton says. “They’re going to be things that happen after school, and on weekends, and problems that are brought back into the buildings.”
Lee Elementary Principal, Erica Bammes, says it feels great to be back in-person and just seems right. She says there was a lot of excitement between staff and students on Tuesday. She adds that although the pandemic has been tough, it is something that they have used as a teaching point.
“Practicing how do we wear our masks appropriately, how do we take it on and off when it is time for us to eat or take a drink.” Bammes says. “Also, just washing our hands and knowing when to wash our hands because we are washing once an hour and then at other times as well, such as before and after we go out to the playground. Then of course just learning what it means to be socially distanced and stay as far apart as we can.”
Superintendent Wade says the bottom line for him is that they are there for the students and their success.
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