Windom School Board adopts “Return to School” Plan

December 21, 2020 kdomadmin Local News 0

THE WINDOM SCHOOL BOARD HAS APPROVED A “RETURN TO SCHOOL PLAN” TO BRING STUDENTS BACK TO SCHOOL FOR IN-PERSON CLASSES. 
 
UNDER THE PLAN, ADOPTED AT A SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING MONDAY EVENING, STUDENTS IN PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THE 9TH GRADE WILL RETURN TO IN-PERSON CLASSES ON MONDAY, JANUARY 4TH WHEN SCHOOL RESUMES AFTER THE HOLIDAY BREAK.   THE STUDENTS IN THE 10TH THROUGH 12TH GRADES WILL REMAIN ON DISTANCE LEARNING FOR ANOTHER WEEK.  THOSE STUDENTS WILL RETURN TO IN-PERSON CLASSES ON MONDAY, JANUARY 11TH. 
 
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT WORMSTADT SAID THE ADDED WEEK FOR THE OLDER STUDENTS WILL PROVIDE EXTRA TIME IN CASE ANY STUDENTS TEST POSITIVE AFTER THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY AND NEW YEAR’S EVE ACTIVITIES.   
 
WORMSTADT REVIEWED THE AVERAGE COVID-19 CASE RATES FOR COTTONWOOD COUNTY.  THE CASE RATE WAS AS HIGH AS 339 PER 10,000 PEOPLE ON NOVEMBER 30TH, BUT HAS DROPPED BACK TO 151 AND WILL LIKELY BE UNDER 100 BY NEXT WEEK.   
 
AT THE CURRENT TIME, WINDOM DOES HAVE 18 STAFF MEMBERS ON QUARANTINE, BUT ALL OF THOSE SHOULD BE OFF QUARANTINE BY THE START OF JANUARY.   
 
WORMSTADT NOTED THAT THE 4TH GRADE CLASS WILL BE MEETING IN THEIR NEW ROOMS AT THE HIGHLAND SCHOOL BUILDING.  THAT WILL PROVIDE MORE SPACE FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THE 3RD GRADE IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. 
 
THE DISTRICT BUSSING PLAN WILL REMAIN THE SAME, WITH STUDENTS WHO LIVE WITHIN THE DESIGNATED “WALK RADIUS” EXPECTED TO WALK TO SCHOOL WHEN THE WEATHER ALLOWS.   
 
THE SEMESTER BREAK WILL COME AT THE END OF JANUARY.  AT THAT TIME, STUDENTS WHO ARE STILL ON DISTANCE LEARNING MAY OPT TO RETURN TO IN-PERSON CLASSES, OR STUDENTS COULD OPT TO SWITCH FROM IN-PERSON CLASSES TO DISTANCE LEARNING IF THAT IS WHAT THE FAMILY PREFERS.   
 
THE WINDOM SCHOOL BOARD VOTED TO CANCEL PLANS FOR ANOTHER SPECIAL MEETING ON JANUARY 4TH.  IF CIRCUMSTANCES DICTATE A CHANGE IN THE LEARNING PLAN, THE SUPERINTENDENT AND BUILDING PRINCIPALS WILL MEET TO WORK OUT THE DETAILS AND A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING COULD BE CALLED IF NECESSARY.