Sunday, March 22, 2020

Weekend Thoughts!

Hello everyone,

Over the past week, I am sure our actions, behaviors, and feelings have changed dramatically due to the spread of the virus, we affectionately have come to know as COVID-19.  We may also have needed to do things this past week that we may not have thought of previously doing.  I know that I never thought I would be asked to review a ‘pandemic plan’, promote ‘social distancing’ to assist in slowing ‘community spread’, and close school down for four weeks.  The closure that we are currently navigating is ‘unprecedented’ and believe me, we are working to identify many ‘novel’ ideas to promote and provide learning, as ‘isolation’ and ‘quarantine’ may be on the horizon, as we are in a ‘fluid situation’.

Well, I tried to unplug from using the terms that have now become part of many newscasts and conversations, but instead I decided to embrace them, but I assure you I will do my best to not to use them again, I promise!

In this moment, I would wager that the events facing our world, nation, state, and community are making many of us nervous and maybe even fearful.  These feelings are natural responses when we are faced with the unknown and uncertainty surrounds us.  These feelings, I would predict, may even increase as events move closer and closer to us. Now, if we allow these feelings to grip us, over the upcoming weeks, times will become even more difficult and individuals will begin to struggle more than ever.

As I take time to reflect my thoughts often move towards identifying actions that I can take to help others?  The following are just a few things that come to mind. I am sure you have many, too, and would be able to add to my short list, but here I go:

·      Stay at home, when possible.
o   I understand that the illness will spread and I understand that many will be able to overcome this illness quickly and with very few symptoms. Others, though, may have a more difficult time and I can help reduce additional infections by staying home and not becoming infected or not spreading the infection to others.  This may mean self-isolating or quarantining, if you have been exposed or infected.

·      Check in on others.
o   Find out how my neighbors are doing.
o   What am I able to do for them to help promote their health during this time?
§  It is okay to step back from the door to create space, as we check on others.

·      Stay in touch!
o   We are not alone in this fight!
§  Understanding this encourages me to reach out, even though I may not be able to do so physically, I should reach out by phone or with the use of technologies available to me, as these events will be important to meet the social needs that we all require.

·      Be Respectful of Others:
o   We should always think of others.  However, during this time, it is more important than ever.

Together, we will get through this, but we must all do our part.

I encourage you to continue to check our school website for updates and as we continue to answer questions that arise.  We will do our best to provide information in a timely manner, while not overwhelming everyone. I hope you understand.

Stay Safe and Stay Healthy,

Darin Jones

Friday, March 13, 2020

AHSTW Planning, Questions & Answers


Good afternoon,

As the health situation in our country continues to change, I have been searching for answers to best help us plan for limited disruption to the education of our students.  I understand that everyone is getting nervous and understandably so.  I hope the information shared in this document will help you in your understanding of our processes and planning.

1.)    Iowa Department of Public Health information:
a.     At this time the Coronavirus is considered a travelers illness and not a community illness.
                                               i.     It is recommended that schools do not cancel at this time.
                                             ii.     The IDPH will inform us if a person has tested positive in our community and will then help us determine the length of time the district should cancel school.
                                            iii.     They will also provide direction, as to the measures necessary for cleaning our environment.
                                            iv.     The Iowa Department of Health will be part of every decision to cancel school.
b.     The CDC is recommending that schools cancel international trips or trips to affected areas domestically.
                                               i.     At this time, we will be canceling all field trips to allow our students to remain local and limit exposure until further notice. 
c.     Students and families returning from travel to areas with exposure to COVID-19 must self-quarantine following guidance from public health.
d.     Events larger than 250 outside attendees should be cancelled.
                                               i.     At this point and time, we have cancelled the following activities:
1.     State Speech
2.     WIC Conference Quiz Bowl {We will maintain the 1 PM out.]
3.     WIC Conference Band Concert
4.     HS Track Meet to Buena Vista and Northwest Missouri State
5.     NHS Blood Drive
6.     We will evaluate other events and determine if the event is able to be held based on estimated attendance of 250 attendees or more.

2.)   AHSTW has not cancelled school at this time based on guidance from the Iowa Department Health Department.  Our calendar proceeding as planned, but the situation is fluid.

3.)   How many hours or days are required by Iowa Code in relationship to the education of students?
a.     Iowa Code requires 180 days or 1080 hours of instruction for a student.  Since this is written in code and not administrative rule Iowa School Districts, at this point and time, will be expected to meet that expectation.
b.     At this time, I am working on the assumption that all days up to 1080 will need to be made up.
c.     A modified calendar will be shared with the board, if this becomes necessary in regards to hours and days above the 1080 and up to 1116 hours.
d.     Guidance from the State may be forthcoming, if these rules are allowed to be modified, but any modification must come from the state and state legislature.

4.)   Is E-Learning an option?
a.     E-learning is currently not an option for Iowa Schools.  Therefore, if e-learning days are completed for hours below the 1080 hours, any hours would be required to be made up.

5.)   What type of materials can be provided?
a.     Our goal is to not promote new instruction, but to provide review work to limit any regression in an extended absence situation.

6.)   Cleaning is required.
a.     Routine and frequent cleaning of frequently touched surfaces are required.
b.     The use of disposable wipes and hand-sanitizers are promoted.
c.     Hand-sanitizer must be at or above 60% alcohol.

7.)   Procedures for staff and students who are sick at school.
a.     Students who become ill while at school are required to be sent home.
b.     We also will make sure that students who are ill are kept separate from students who are not ill until parents are able to pick them up.

8.)   Absenteeism:
a.     Iowa Schools are required to report when absenteeism rates are greater than 10% for illness.
b.     We have also discontinued any perfect attendance policies to promote students staying home when ill.
c.     We also will monitor absenteeism rates to determine when it disrupts the educational setting.
d.     Attendance notifications will continue to be shared and addressed by building principals on an individual basis.

9.)   Informational Sharing:
a.     Information will continue to be shared, as information is shared with our school district.
b.     We want to ensure that everyone has the appropriate facts and information at the appropriate time.  Please know that we are waiting for information at times, as well.

10.)                  Student meals:
a.     AHSTW will work to develop a plan on how to deliver meals to families who wish participate in our school food program over any extended cancellation of school.
b.     Meals will be delivered to our surrounding communities between 11:45 AM and 12:30 PM.
c.     The cost of meals will be deducted from a student’s lunch account.
d.     Menus are being researched at this time.

11.)  Parent Teacher Conferences
a.     We plan to hold our Parent/Teacher Conferences as scheduled.  We understand if you would rather not attend, and our staff will call you during your conference time to ensure you receive information regarding your student’s progress in learning.  Please let either office know in advance of your conference if this method is preferred.

We thank you for the opportunity to work with your students in a safe learning environment.  Unfortunately, situations occur that require us to think outside of the norm.  Please know that we will respond appropriately, continue to monitor the events around us, and will make decisions based on the information presented to us.

Respectfully,

Mr. Darin Jones
Superintendent of Schools
AHSTW Community School District

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Coronavirus Update [3/11/20]


Good afternoon,

The Coronavirus continues to cover our headlines and the diagnosis of confirmed cases are slowly coming into our state and area.  Over the past 24-36 hours, we have also seen news coming from colleges across the state and nation about measures they are implementing.  I am sure these events are causing questions and concerns.  I hope to provide information to you regarding information recently received.

Please know we are communicating closely with the Iowa Department of Public Health at the state and county level. Our goal is to make decisions based on the facts presented to our organizations.  IF decisions become necessary, we will make them in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health.  I very much appreciate their help and information during this time.

·       AHSTW Preventative Measures:
o   Reviewed cleaning procedures to ensure high contact areas are addressed nightly.
o   Encourage students to wash hands frequently.
o   Reviewing proper hand-washing techniques with students.
o   Provide access to preventative products, such as hand-sanitizer.
o   Review scenarios occurring around us to reflect on potential solutions.

·       What can we personally do:
o   Stay at home when not feeling well and contact your health professional for advice.
o   Frequently wash hands with soap and water!  [This is the best protection.]
o   Use hand-sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
o   Be respectful of others when coughing and sneezing by covering your nose and mouth with your arm or elbow.

·       My belief as to our state’s college responses.
o   We have seen many colleges across the state delay their return from spring break by two-weeks.  I believe this is being done to allow students to remain home for the 14-day period to allow for any illness to present before students return to campus.  This would be important as students not only attend classes together, but live together, too.

·       Area Update:
o   At one point this afternoon, information was shared about a potential confirmed case of COVID-19 on the Iowa Western Campus.  I have made contact with the Iowa Department of Public Health for Pottawattamie County and they informed us that no such case has been confirmed by them.  I also have read e-mail correspondence from Dr. Dan Kinney, IWCC President.  This e-mail states that are no confirmed cases of the virus from either staff or students.

Please know that we will continue to monitor information shared with us on a regular basis and I will share updates, as necessary.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions, as they are very welcome.

Respectfully,

Mr. Darin Jones
AHSTW Superintendent

Additional Information can be found on the following sites:


This letter will also be posted on my blog @ https://darinjones-updates.blogspot.com/

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