School re-entry plan targets 3 options

In-person learning with Holyoke teaching staff is the first of three options in Holyoke School District’s re-entry plan that was released Monday, July 27.

This plan looks at K-12 registration on Monday, Aug. 17; Holyoke JR/SR high start date Wednesday, Aug. 19; and Holyoke elementary start day Thursday, Aug. 20.

On regular school days, students will report to their homeroom classrooms. All K-12 students may obtain breakfast in these classrooms between 7:45-8 a.m., with classes to begin at 8 a.m.

Two online learning options through the school district are also included for consideration in the re-entry plan.

If students plan to participate in either online program, the building principal must be notified by Friday, Aug. 7. Elementary principal Andrea Kammer can be reached at 970-854-3411 or kammeran@hcosd.org. JR/SR high principal Angela Powell can be reached at 970-854-2284 or powellan@hcosd.org.

In both online options, the school district will provide a device and will obtain state funding for each student. The programs include one for K-12 with Edmentum software and teachers and a 7-12 program with Odysseyware software and teachers.

Parents who have children with either an individualized education plan or who qualify for English language learner services should call the building principal immediately if they’re considering online learning — just to make sure they fully understand the details.

Extensive time has been devoted by school officials to come up with a re-entry plan for the 2020-21 school year that has been well thought through and is as safe as possible, noted Superintendent Kyle Stumpf.

As things change, he assures that updates will be made through the district website and social media, as well as in the local newspaper.

Parents asked to prescreen children daily

Parents are the first line of defense regarding helping to keep all students and staff safe. With this in mind, parents will be asked to prescreen their children at home before sending them to school or dropping them off.

If a child is sick, the school requests that parents keep them home and not send them to school.

Daily screening by parents at home will include

a temperature check, as the student’s temp must be below 100 degrees Fahrenheit to attend school.

Parents should also do the daily symptoms check survey — Do you have a cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, muscle aches, sore throat? Have you traveled outside of Phillips County, Colorado, the United States? Are you experiencing new loss of taste or smell? Have you been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or COVID-related symptoms?

Upon arriving at school, all students will receive a second temperature check, which must be below 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mask guidelines will follow updates as they’re released

With regard to mask wearing, the school re-entry plan cites that the district will adhere to all local, state and federal health and safety guidelines as they are released, updated or changed.

Students 11 years and older will be required to wear face coverings (including cloth masks, N95 masks or face shields that wrap around the face and extend below the chin) while indoors while the state mandate is in effect.

If the state mandate is lifted or if Phillips County obtains a variance from the state mandate, face coverings will be recommended but not required.

Additionally, a child is exempt if a parent notifies the building principal via a signed document that their child has a medical condition and can’t wear a mask.

Bus transportation available

Although Holyoke School District is not required to provide bus services to students, administration believes it is in the district’s best interest to continue doing so. However, it is noted that there isn’t a realistic or feasible way in which they can substantially distance students on the school buses.

Therefore, it is solely the student and their parents’ choice to ride the bus. Parents and students who aren’t comfortable with this will need to have transportation arranged by parents.

The same mask guidelines that apply in the school buildings will apply on the buses.

No more than 30 students can be on a bus at one time. Households/families/cohorts will sit together (two to a seat) or next to each other. All nonhouseholds/families will keep one seat open between them and the next group of students.

To the extent possible, 3 feet of distance will be maintained between students and staff.

Specific transportation plans for routes, pickup locations, etc. will be released after the Aug. 17 registration date.

CHSAA to release sports season directives this week

Boys golf practice will start as scheduled Monday, Aug. 3, as the sport is able to be played under the current national, state, county and Colorado High School Activities Association health guidelines as they pertain to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Competition can begin Aug. 6.

Boys golf was not included in plans submitted to the state officials for approval because the sport is able to be played under the current guidelines, according to a notice on the CHSAA website.

CHSAA is anticipating an announcement this week regarding the full calendar for all other sports and activities, once approved by state officials.