SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — The Sioux Falls School District has been keeping in touch with parents and students by email.
Here is the email from 6/1/20 “Return to Learn” Plans:
Planning for Fall – Return to LearnNow that the 2019-20 school year has wrapped up, we hope your family has begun to enjoy a slower summer routine. The Sioux Falls School District, however, continues to busily prepare for what school might look like in the fall as we prioritize your child’s ongoing education with the health and safety of all students, staff, and the greater community. Guidance is constantly changing. This requires schools – and families – to be vigilant and flexible in case it becomes necessary, at a moment’s notice, to change the way we deliver education.
Health and SafetyThe health and safety of all is our highest priority. Experts continue to emphasize the need for social distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19. This means school settings and routines will undergo some changes in the fall to reduce exposure. Some examples could include more cleaning and safety equipment, such as health screens, rearranging classrooms, and adding specific time slots for handwashing.
Delivery of EducationAt this time, we DO intend to be back in the classroom, as scheduled, on Thursday, August 27, 2020. District leaders are preparing for three different educational delivery models that could occur this fall:
• Traditional Delivery – teachers and students maintain a normal daily schedule in classrooms, with modifications to space and practices• Modified Delivery – a variety of educational models may be used in response to an increase number of COVID cases• Remote Delivery – instruction is provided off-campus through technology or learning packets
Health and safety information will dictate the model that will be used to continue ongoing instruction. Please Note: There may be instances where MOST schools are using one delivery model, but some schools are using a different delivery model due to the need to clean facilities after a positive case of COVID-19. This change from one model to another could happen very quickly.
Just as families are encouraged to develop a plan for early dismissal of school due to a winter storm, it is very important for each family to have a plan for when it becomes necessary for schools to use a modified schedule or close for remote learning. Please use the summer to develop your plans and inform your student(s) – relying on family, friends, and neighbors to support you, if needed.
Flexibility is KeyThe District will work with students and staff who have existing medical conditions that don’t allow for a safe return to school in the fall. Flexibility is key to our ability to “switch gears” for learning during this uncertain time.
Please know SFSD will do its best to clearly communicate when schedule changes are needed. The health and safety of students, staff, and the community will always drive decision-making. We are so grateful for all you have done and we look forward to continuing to partner with parents/guardians and the community during this uncertain time! Happy Summer!
