AHSTW Update [April 27, 2020]

AHSTW Community School District,

We continue to plan for the end of our 2019-2020 school year even though we will not be meeting face-to-face with our students anymore.  Our planning sessions allow us to reflect upon all items facing us at this time and at this time we would share the following information around classes, grading, technology, lunch services, and more.

Q & A:

When will our 2019-2020 School Year end?

●      The AHSTW Community School District will end the school year on Friday, May 22, 2020.  This date is the last date on our 2019-2020 school calendar.  I believe our staff members have done a terrific job sharing activities for our students during this voluntary learning time, and we are so appreciative of their efforts.  We know they will be working hard to continue providing services through the duration of our 2019-2020 learning experiences.  We encourage all students to continue to engage in the opportunities, as we will return next fall and want all students to be as prepared as possible for their next steps on their educational journey.

What will be my student’s grade at the conclusion of the school year?

●      High school students will receive credit for their 2^nd Semester courses at the letter grade they had achieved when classes ended at the conclusion of 3^rd quarter.  Students will be allowed to submit any missing assignments or complete corrections on past assignments prior to May 8, 2020.  This would be corrected and used to adjust grades at the conclusion of our school year.

●      Eighth grade students enrolled in HS Algebra will be able to (1) accept their current grade, (2) work to improve their grade by submitting any missing assignments or completing corrections on past assignments prior to May 8, 2020, or (3) retake the course as a freshman.

●      In grades PK-8, students will receive grades earned at the conclusion of 3^rd quarter, as well. No 4th quarter report cards will be issued. 

Will my student move on to the next grade in 2020-2021?

●      Students will move on to their next grade in beginning with the 2020-2021 school year.  The only exception to this would be if our staff members have previously spoken with you about concerns for the upcoming year.

How will we be able to collect my student’s personal belongings?

●      We are currently working on a process for families  to pick-up student materials or personal belongings.  Please be watching for information to be shared by your student’s building principal.

How will we address our summer technology needs?

●      Students who have checked out devices during our extended leave time will be allowed to keep their devices over the course of the summer.  The devices were shared during our extended leave to help students stay in touch with the learning opportunities shared by our staff members.  Over the summer, students will be able to use the computers to gain access to the educational websites shared by staff.  However, our staff members will not be developing lessons for you to view or complete over the summer.

●      Acceptable use policies will remain in effect throughout the summer, as will content filters and student monitoring systems. 

●      Technology maintenance and repair services will not be available throughout the summer.

How will we return items to the school?  [Library books, technology, and etc.]

●      We do ask that library books be returned to the school when you visit to pick-up your students' belongings.  Books can be placed in a return box during your assigned time.

●      Chromebooks will need to be returned with the students on the first day of school in the fall.

What if we are moving out of the school district prior to the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year?

●      If families are moving out of the district this summer, they will need to return school property when they move.

How does the closure affect our 2020 Senior Class?

●      The Governor recently allowed certain graduation requirements to be waived.  However, each student must have been on track to graduate at the beginning of the year and or semester in order to be eligible to graduate.  This means a student who was credit deficient must have recovered the appropriate number of credits to become eligible for graduation in order to graduate.  Students in the senior class who were in a credit recovery program are allowed to complete the courses during this time of absence.

●      If a student has fallen into this category after the beginning of the year, our High School Principal will be in touch with you to discuss this topic with you individually.

●      Students in the Class of 2020 are also required to complete CPR certifications and a Government course prior to graduation.  Those expectations have been waived at this time, if the student has not completed the work up to this point.

How does the closure affect graduation?

●      Graduation has been postponed to at least June 7, 2020.  We are also discussing future options, as we want to provide seniors with the event they have rightfully earned.  Mr. Sauvain will be in touch with our seniors and senior parents to identify potential later dates.   If we are unable to host graduation on June 7, 2020 the alternate date will be July 12, 2020.

How does the closure affect prom and summer sports?

●      Prom was previously delayed to June 13, 2020.  At this time, we are hoping this will occur, but we are discussing other options.  If June 13, 2020 does not work, we will prioritize graduation and most likely cancel prom.

●      Summer sports are still being planned for and guidance will be shared by both the boy’s and girl’s athletic associations.   At this time, summer sports are eligible to start on June 1, 2020.

How will my student schedule classes for the 2020-2021 school year?

●      Registration for students entering grades 9-12 will begin as soon as we are able to meet with students.  This means registration may occur at some point during the summer or later this year.

●      Specific plans for grades will be shared at a later time.

●      Mrs. Birks has already met with students regarding next year’s college courses and has this part of registration completed.

●      PK-8 classes will be developed in their usual manner.  Classes for the 2020-2021 school year will be shared as they always have. 

Will meal delivery continue throughout the summer?

●      The meal program that was put in place on March 20, 2020 will run as long as the federal program allows.  Since AHSTW was not a participant of the Summer Food Program in the past, our program is set to expire at the conclusion of the school year or May 22, 2020.  We hope the meal program will be extended, if not, we unfortunately will be unable to continue the service.

What will the 2020-2021 school year look like?

●      Iowa school districts will be developing Return to Learn plans.  These plans are due to the State Department of Education on July 1, 2020.  We are awaiting guidance on this plan to assist us in knowing what types of activities will be allowed.  However, we are planning for the future and discussing potential possibilities.  We will develop options and share our plan at the appropriate time.

●      Guidance will be shared with our school district in hopefully 2 weeks.

We are thankful for all of your efforts during this time.  It has been terrific to see how everyone has come together to make this best out of a difficult situation.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us and we will get back in touch with you!

We Are AHSTW,

Mr. Darin Jones

Superintendent of Schools

AHSTW Community School District

AHSTW Learning Update [April 17, 2020]

Dear Parents, Students, and Community,

I hope this letter finds you well.  I understand that today provided us all with the news that we did not want to hear:  Schools will be unable to open for the remainder of the school year.  This means that our distance learning opportunities will continue through May 22, 2020.  We would very much like to see our students back with us, but this step was necessary to help promote the health and safety of our community.  Please know that we are here for everyone and will continue to support everyone’s needs both academically and emotionally as we proceed.

Two weeks ago, we began delivering learning opportunities through a distance learning model.  This model is a voluntary model.  Even though the opportunities are voluntary, we highly encourage all students to participate, as learning and understanding is extremely important.  Please know that our staff members have prepared activities designed to assist all students in maintaining their level of understanding in preparation of our return, whenever that may be.  In addition to the materials, we also encourage questions.  Questions are normal, expected, and desired.  So, please engage with our staff and allow them to assist during this time.

I understand that today’s announcement brings with it many questions.  Please know that we are working to provide you those answers and will do so in a timely manner, but our staff also needs to take a breath and work through the announcement, as we are disappointed to not see our students in our classroom desks for the remainder of the school year. This is difficult for each and every person in our community, but  we will get through this.

With that said, there are a few things I can provide some information on at this time:

·       Graduation will be moved to our June 7, 2020 alternate date.  We hope this date will allow us to provide the experience that everyone deserves, but please know we will be monitoring the situation and may need to look for another alternate date or graduation plan.

·       Senior Awards will also be postponed and we will be working to find a time to recognize all students receiving scholarships and awards.

·       Prom was moved to June 13, 2020 a few weeks ago.  At this time, we plan on using this date, however, alternate plans may need to be made.

·       Spring sports have been cancelled for the 2019-2020 school year.  I understand  this is not how we expected the 2019-2020 athletic season to end and my thoughts are with you.

Iowa School Districts will also be working on a return to school plan for the 2020-2021 school year.  This plan will include the start date, potential summer services, and more.  All plans are due to the State Department of Education by July 1, 2020.  We will share all information as soon as it becomes available.

In short, the AHSTW Distance Learning program will remain in place until our last day of school which is scheduled for May 22, 2020.  We encourage everyone to participate and continue learning in preparation for next year!  We also want you to know that we are here for you!  Please ask questions of your teachers to help you in your understanding of the material or any needs that may arise.  We want every student to succeed and every question deserves to be answered!

Best wishes,

Mr. Darin Jones

AHSTW Community School District

AHSTW Information Update

Hello everyone,

In listening to Governor Reynold's press conference this afternoon, we learned that Iowa schools will remain closed through April 30, 2020.  We obviously will follow these guidelines.

Dr. Lebo, Director of the Iowa Department of Education, shared that Iowa Schools will be required to identify which method of delivery we will choose by April 10.  Those delivery methods include:

1.) No Instruction - Schools will be required to make up the days missed between April 13 and April 30.

2.) Voluntary

3.) Required

* Different options are available at different grades spans in a district, as well.

The description of options two and three will be shared early next week with the application being due on April 10.

We met tonight as an administrative team after the meeting with the Department of Education.  We were excited to learn that our plan addresses the items discussed, and we feel very confident in the plan we are beginning to implement at this very moment.  I understand questions will arise in the area of instruction, promotion of students to the next grade level, how credit is provided to students in grades 9-11, and how all of this will impact our seniors.  Please know that these answers are being developed and will be shared soon.

During this time of leave our focus will continue to be on learning.  We encourage our students to take advantage of the opportunities made available to them by our staff, as each teacher is able to provide opportunity and feedback.

We also want to share that all AHSTW activities and contests have been cancelled through April 30, 2020.  We will be sharing updated schedules as they are completed.  It is also important to remember that our school facilities both indoor and outdoor have been closed to promote the health of our community.

Thank you again and we will successfully navigate these uncharted waters!

Mr. Darin Jones

AHSTW Superintendent

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

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