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Mid-Del Schools offering options for traditional and virtual learning this fall

By Jeff Harrison
Managing Editor

The Mid-Del School Board tonight approved a plan for reopening schools next month that includes options for traditional in-person instruction and virtual online learning.

Superintendent Rick Cobb presented the “Return to School” plan during a socially distanced meeting at the Mid-Del Technology Center.

School is scheduled to begin Aug. 14.

Superintendent Rick Cobb discusses the Mid-Del School District’s plan to offer traditional in-persona and virtual online learning for the 2020-21 school year. (Staff photo by Jeff Harrison)

In the traditional in-person plan, students will report to their regular school sites. All students and staff will be required to wear a face covering during the day. Students will be responsible for providing face coverings. If the district has a closure due to COVID-19, instruction will shift to remote learning.

The virtual academy will be conducted entirely online. Students will report to the Mid-Del Academy and receive instruction from certified educators virtually. Student in the virtual program may participate in extra-curricular activities at their home school sites.

All students in the virtual program must have a computer or device and internet access. A one-year commitment is required for the virtual academy.

The virtual learning program is open to students in grades K-12. Pre-K is only offered through traditional in-person instruction.

Registration for the virtual academy can be completed at the Mid-Del Public Schools’ website www.mid-del.net. The registration deadline is Aug. 7.

Mid-Del will implement several safety procedures related to COVID-19.  School staff, to the best of their ability, will follow social distancing guidelines for students in classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, gyms, busses and common areas. The district will also promote good hygiene and ask family to conduct temperature checks before students leave for school. Masks will be required in school buildings and school buses.

At the elementary school level, parents and visitors will not be permitted to walk students inside the building or classrooms. All parents are asked to wait in their vehicles while students are being dropped off and picked up. Students will be escorted to their cars at the end of the day.

Elementary school students will continue to have recess and access to the school library. Latchkey Before and After Care will continue to be offered and adhere to school policies. Students will not share school supplies. Items that must be shared will be disinfected between each use.

At the secondary level, schools will limit the number of school-wide assemblies at the beginning of the year. The policy will be reevaluated later in the year based on virus infection levels.

The district will follow OSSAA and CDC guidelines for extracurricular activities such as marching band, vocal music, drama, pom and athletics.

School district staff developed the plan with input community members, parents and staff. Cobb said they have worked on the plan since school was closed before Spring Break in March.

For more information about the return to school plan, visit https://www.mid-del.net/o/district/page/2020-2021-school-reopening–2/#safety.

The Mid-Del School Board discuses the district’s plan to return to school next month. The district plan includes options for traditional in-person or virtual learning. (Staff photo by Jeff Harrison)

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