No changes to the learning mode are expected prior to the holiday break in USD 383 Manhattan/Ogden Schools.
Many parents have wondered if the district might opt for full remote learning days next week since school is only in session Monday and Tuesday. Assistant Superintendent Eric Reid tells KMAN the board made a similar decision last month right before Thanksgiving, primarily out of necessity, due to a high number of quarantines.
“We had an outbreak at our transportation department that took a lot of them down and we were getting to a point where we couldn’t even function on a hybrid model. We’re not in that position right now as we’re doing a little better. We’re planning on those days as scheduled with group A on Monday (Dec. 21) and group B on Tuesday (Dec. 22),” he said.
As for the inevitable snow days that may come up, Reid says no changes are anticipated for those.
“We’ve talked about plans, instead of having snow days having remote days. Right now I think, if we made the shift to get back to five days a week I think we’d treat snow days like normal snow days and technically we haven’t used any this year,” he said.
Some districts have opted for remote school on snow days, most notably at USD 475 Geary County Schools. But Reid says implementation, while it may sound nice in theory, could be difficult if students haven’t taken home their technology used for remote learning.
With days to go prior to the winter break, students and staff alike are eager for the long holiday from school, perhaps more so than any other.
“I think everybody is looking forward to this break. Everybody is looking forward to a chance to catch their breath and rest and I hope they get that,” said board president Karla Hagemeister.
Over the break, the district will continue to urge families to be vigilant against the spread of the virus as it works toward implementing a return to five days a week on site learning, as early as January.
Families needing access to free meals also can take advantage of the program during the break from school.
“Stephanie (Smith) has a sign up over break on the child nutrition page of the district website,” he said.
Meals can be picked up from the district’s central kitchen, located at 1112 Hayes Drive.
Students are scheduled to return from winter break Jan. 5.
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