Yet another area school district is getting set for the start of school later this month.
USD 284 Chase County Superintendent Glenna Grinstead, a guest of KVOE’s Newsmaker Two segment Monday, says the district plans to begin the year on Aug. 27. USD 284 is the third area district to select this start date following USD 243 Lebo Waverly and USD 251 North Lyon County.
When the year begins, Grinstead says the district will have three levels for education delivery dependant on current health trends related to COVID-19. Each of these models will correspond to the current level of community COVID-10 spread at the time. The levels include:
*Green – Minimal spread. USD 284 will be “as traditional as we can be,” meaning in-class education, recess, physical education and other aspects of normal education.
*Yellow – Limited spread. Buildings will remain open, but students will be kept in small groups and movement will be limited between classes. Teachers may have to teach students remotely.
*Red – Substantial spread. The district will go to small-group learning. Remote learning is an option and the district is also in the process of setting up education pods at different places like community buildings or churches across the county.
Grinstead says like other neighboring school districts a remote learning option will be available regardless of the level the district is currently at. Unlike other districts, however, Grinstead says the district will not enforce mandatory mask usage at this time. At this time the district is “highly recommending” masks be worn. Additionally, the district will be requiring temperature checks prior to students boarding buses or entering buildings and social distancing will be encouraged as much as possible.
USD 284 has a reopening plan community meeting at 6 pm Tuesday at the Chase County Junior-Senior High School building. Enrollment packets will be available and administrators will be on hand to answer questions. Enrollment will be 1-7 pm Aug. 11 for family last names starting with letters A-K and 1-7 pm Aug. 12 for family last names starting with letters L-Z. Enrollment will also be available from 7-11 am Aug. 13.
For more information visit the district’s website USD284.org.
