TOMAHAWK TRIBUNE - JUNE 2020

The Meramec Valley R-III School District (MVR-III) believes schools are integral to a thriving community. Not only do our schools ensure an educated and capable workforce, but they also provide services to working families that contribute to a thriving economy. Without our schools, both families and businesses suffer.

As such, the Meramec Valley R-III School District is committed to opening our schools to serve our community. We are following a three-phase approach, with the ultimate goal of returning to onsite school on August 24, 2020.

As we prepare to return for the 2020-21 school year, we must recognize that it is impossible to house all of our students and maintain a 6-foot distance at all times. MVR-III will take steps to social distance students to the best of our ability in accordance with recommended guidelines. However, parents must understand and acknowledge that youth, especially young children, will at times fail to adhere to social distancing expectations. MVR-III will reinforce these expectations early and often.

Below are the three phases with a brief summary of precautions to be taken:

On June 1, 2020, MVR-III began offering tuition-based pre-school services at the Dorris Hoffman Early Learning Center while also reopening the SACC program for students in grades K-6. In addition, online summer school offerings for high school and credit recovery options for grades 9-12 are being offered.

Also, Pacific High School student activities have been allowed in a modified format. Below are some of the key steps that have been implemented for the month of June:

1. Small Student/Staff ratios have been targeted.
2. Efforts are being made to maintain a 6ft distance between students, and as much as possible, between students and staff.
3. Regular hand-washing/hand-disinfecting is required of students and staff.
4. All students and staff are being screened upon entering the building, including temperature checks. Anyone with a temperature over 100 degrees will not be allowed to attend until fever-free for 72 hours without the aid of medication.
5. Students who become ill during the day will be sent home. Depending on the symptoms, the student may be required to wear a mask and isolate from other students.

6. Student activities are limited to small groups with minimal-to-no physical contact.
   
7. Students are limited to specified areas.
8. Students are not be allowed to bring items from home.
9. Student occupied spaces will be fully disinfected at least daily, with additional disinfecting as needed. Regular disinfecting of high-touch areas will be conducted throughout the day.
10. Staff and students are permitted to wear appropriate masks if desired.

All precautions identified above may be modified in accordance with guidance from local health officials, the CDC, and state governing organizations.

Starting July 6, 2020, MVR-III will offer onsite summer school. This will include pre-school, Summer Discovery for grades K-8, credit acquisition courses for grades 9-12, and before and after SACC programming. Below are some of the proactive measures that will be implemented in July:

1. Student/staff ratios will be increased, but will continue to target smaller than normal groupings.

2. Efforts will be made to maintain social distancing recommendations between students, and as much as possible, between students and staff.

3. Regular hand-washing/hand-disinfecting will be required of students and staff.

4. Students and staff will be screened for sickness periodically and screened on an as-needed basis, including temperature checks. Anyone with a temperature over 100 degrees will not be allowed to attend until fever-free for 72 hours without the aid of medication.

5. Students who become ill during the day will be sent home. Depending on the symptoms, the student may be required to wear a mask and isolate from other students.

6. Summer Discovery school programming will focus on a combination of enrichment and covering essential 4th quarter learning standards in an effort to ensure students are prepared for the 2020-21 school year.

7. Student activities will continue with modifications as needed to limit contact and in accordance with MSHSAA guidance.
8. Students will move throughout the building in a limited manner.
9. Student occupied spaces will be fully disinfected at least daily, with additional disinfecting as needed. Regular disinfecting of high-touch areas will be conducted throughout the day.

10. Staff and students are permitted to wear appropriate masks if desired.

All precautions identified above may be modified in accordance with guidance from local health officials, the CDC, and state governing organizations.

On August 24, 2020, MVR-III will return to onsite schooling. This will include all grades, preschool through 12th, and before and after SACC programming. On August 10, 2020, practices for fall sports and activities will begin. In general, all process and procedures will return to normal with an emphasis on social distancing as much as possible, proper hand-washing, and allow the wearing of masks if desired. Below are some of the precautions that will be implemented in August:

1. Daily routines will be reviewed for ways to improve social distancing, to the extent practicable.

2. Regular hand-washing/hand-disinfecting will be emphasized for students and staff on a daily basis, multiple times throughout the day.

3. Students and staff will be screened for sickness on an as-needed basis, including temperature checks. Anyone with a temperature over 100 degrees will not be allowed to attend until fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of medication.

4. Students who become ill during the day will be sent home. Depending on the symptoms, the student may be required to wear a mask and isolate from other students.

5. Programming for the 2020-21 school year will be conducted in a manner very similar to prior years, with minimal modifications.

6. Student activities will resume with minimal modifications.

7. Students will move throughout the building similar to prior years, with modifications more likely at the elementary levels due to age.

8. Student occupied spaces will be fully disinfected at least daily, with additional disinfecting as needed. Regular disinfecting of high-touch areas will be conducted throughout the day.

9. Virtual options will be provided for families concerned about allowing their child(ren) to attend school in the traditional setting. Note: Parents choosing a virtual option will be required to commit to at least one full semester. More information will be provided in July.

All precautions identified above may be modified in accordance with guidance from local health officials, the CDC, and state governing organizations.

Ketina Armstrong, Director of Communications

Email: karmstrong@mvr3.k12.mo.us
Website: www.mvr3.k12.mo.us
Location: 126 North Payne Street, Pacific, MO, USA
Phone: 636-271-1400