The administrative team at Clarke Schools has been working tirelessly since March to have their Return-to-Learn plans ready to give students and staff the tools they need to continue learning safely in 2020 and beyond.
Watch the video: Return To Learn Plan & Updates from Steve Seid, Clarke Community Schools Superintendent:
As requested by the State board, before July 1st, Clarke Schools submitted their Return-to-Learn plans, with the goal to have students to return in the fall for in-person, brick and mortar classes. Other plans for a hybrid of virtual and in-person learning as well as 100% virtual learning were also submitted in preparation to follow recommendations from Governor Reynolds, the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Department of Health, should the pandemic require closures again in the fall.
“The Clarke Administrative team feels that it’s best at this particular juncture to have our students come back to school using the brick and mortar plan,” said Steve Seid, Superintendent of Clarke Schools. “We also feel it is our due diligence to require face masks or shields for all students and staff.”
To support the families and administration, the Clarke District will be providing reusable masks to each student and staff member. Students will be able to take their masks home and wash them, as well as will be allowed to wear masks from home. While face shields are also acceptable, those will need to be supplied by the student and their family. And in the case virtual learning is required, the District has gone through great lengths to assure every student, Pre-K through 12th grade, will have a digital device for at-home learning.
“The decision for virtual learning will be made by the Governor and the IDPH, with recommendations handed down in response to the pandemic,” said Seid. “At Clarke Community Schools, we want to be prepared for any situation. Students will be able to access their teachers and the curriculum from the safety and comfort of their own homes, if it comes to that.”
The administrators, teachers, and staff will watch for guidance from the Iowa Department of Education and Governor Reynolds to ensure that safety recommendations are being implemented in the Clarke District.
“We are appreciative of the support from students and families on this Return-to-Learn plan and ask for continued understanding and grace as everyone is trying to navigate an impossible situation,” said Seid. “This is all as new to us as it is to the families in our community, and, as it has been said before, we’ll get through this together.”
The Clarke Community Schools Return-to-Learn plan can be found on the district website HERE if you’d like clarification on the details of the plan.