Manson School District Plans for Remote Learning Options

Letter from Manson School Superintendent Voni Walker

Dear Manson Families and Staff,

I hope you are finding time to enjoy this beautiful summer weather and you are staying safe and healthy.

Manson School District is scheduled to start serving students on August 27^th.  The date is less than four weeks away.  As a result of the dramatic increase in COVID cases in our community, state and local health officials are recommending a fully remote start to our school year.  Regional superintendents have been consulting with health authorities and they have shared that beginning in-person learning presents a significant risk to the health of students, staff, and our community. The health and safety of our students, staff and this community is a top priority for Manson Schools, therefore I will be recommending to the school board a plan for serving our students remotely starting August 27^th.

The recommendation includes an outline for enhanced remote learning for all students which will be greatly improved from the distance learning that took place in the spring.  It also includes training for staff and families. Equity and educational justice are a high priority in Manson and we will recommend serving students with significant learning barriers with in-person support.

Our Back to School Committee comprised of staff, students, parents and community members, has been working over the summer to ensure we provide robust, structured and consistent instruction regardless of the location of services.  Originally our plan was to start serving all students on campus for a portion of their day.  Unfortunately, it is with a heavy heart we shift direction on how we start the year.

Our goal will be to move from remote learning to in-person learning though a hybrid model as soon as it is safe to do so.  This will be implemented in smaller cohorts starting with our youngest students. We have built a multi-leveled plan to reach this goal.  The six-level reopening plan is a progressive continuum where the ultimate goal is five days of in-person instruction.  Progression through the levels will be assessed every two weeks with health metrics and other criteria.

The proposed plan recommendation will be discussed at a special board workshop on Thursday, Aug. 6 at 3:00 pm and at a special board meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 6:00 pm, when a final decision will be made.

It is our greatest desire to have students return to five days of in-person instruction as soon as possible. We understand that our decisions have impacts on families, students, staff and the community. Our District Ends Policy calls for us to not only increase student learning but to do so in a safe and caring environment.

Thank you for your patience and support in this time, when choices are hard and less than ideal. Your partnership is valued and appreciated.

Committed to Learning for Each Student,
Voni (Yvonne) Walker, Superintendent
Manson School District

School Board Special Meeting Agenda and Zoom Link

THE MISSION OF THE MANSON SCHOOL DISTRICT IS
“CONTINUOUS STUDENT LEARNING”
MANSON SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 19 BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020
6:00P.M. VIA ZOOM

https://zoom.us/j/92031470339?pwd=Y1FBRkVLRFNhLzA2UjA2U0VMYVJ6UT09

TENTATIVE WORKING AGENDA

I.       CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE – Board Chair

II.      ADOPTION OF MEETING AGENDA

President Neff will call for a motion to amend the one-item agenda or approve as presented.

III.    COMMUNITY – Mr. Newkirk has asked to speak to the board.

III.    BOARD RESOLUTION

A.  Board Resolution 08-11-20A                                                                                                                                                

Please see Appendix III. A for a copy of the resolution.

IV.      ADJOURNMENT