TC plans four-day school week

As students return to school in Trout Creek on August 26, kids and parents alike are curious about the precautions the facility will be taking in light if the coronavirus. According to Penny James, a board member with the Trout Creek School, they will be using a “modified traditional model.” This means that school will only be held four days a week in person and Friday will be a sanitation day for the staff as well as a remote learning day for students. Friday will also allow teachers to work with students or “individuals that may benefit from individual assistance,” according to James. “These days will allow teachers to target kids that will need a little bit more assistance, keeping in mind that the last semester was very difficult on everyone,” said James. She explained that many students may feel behind in their classes this year and this will allow teachers and staff to help keep their pupils on track.

The school day will involve constant sanitation and entry into the school will be staggered to keep up social distancing. Screening will be done for all who enter, and the school is asking parents to take the students’ temperatures at home as well, before they send their kids to school. The staff will have face coverings and students will be strongly encouraged to wear masks. James said that masks will be required where social distancing is not possible, such as on busses.

Students will be kept in small groups and attempts will be made to prevent classes from mixing as much as possible. To ensure food safety, lunches will be grab-and-go, and groups will be kept together during lunches. There will also be plexiglass installed at the lunch lines.

For students who can provide medical documentation and reasoning for the individual to not wear a mask, accommodations will be made. Families may choose offsite learning if they do not wish their kids to return to school for the fall semester, for any reason. Applications for that can be filled out and returned to the school before opening day. These students will have specialized learning tailored by the teacher and parent. “We want to provide options for our kids,” said James.

James wanted to express her and the school board’s appreciation to the Public Health Director Karen Morey and the county sanitarian Shawn Sorenson, both with the Sanders County Public Health, for their input and assistance with creating an effective plan. “They have been fantastic,” said James.