Lots of eyes on Hillsboro’s ‘Return to Learning’


By James R. Johnson • news@tctribune.net
More than 30 administrators, educators, learners and parents had a say in the “Return to Learning plan in the Hillsboro Public School District.

Dr. Charles Breen gave medical insight to the planning committee on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said mass testing of students and faculty before school would be needed only if there was an outbreak. Tim Kozojed, president of the Hillsboro School Board, and Paula Suda, district superintendent, said Breen answered a lot of questions before the 24-page plan was brought before a special school board meeting Aug. 7.

“Dr. Breen helped clarify what parents should do if a child has a cough, runny nose, or allergies and whether they can send their child to school,” Suda said. “Parents know their children best, and some have runny noses all year long. If parents are concerned about their child’s symptoms they can call their doctor’s office and ask questions for medical guidance.”

The plan, which is posted on the Hillsboro School District website, outlines a return to traditional in-person education as much as possible within the elementary and high schools, with a hybrid plan for distance learning to be implemented if North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum raises the state’s risk level to “heightened.”

“We realize that reviewing this plan may not answer every question you have, but we must remain open to what is possible and consider all options,” an introductory letter from the board states.

Suda will coordinate operations. Principals Jon Dryburgh and Terry Baesler will oversee instruction.

Starting Aug. 26, with the state risk level in “green,” low, there will be five days of face-to-face instruction, but parents can opt for full distance-learning. Elementary principal Jon Dryburgh said four families want to distance-learn for the semester.

In the classroom, Dryburgh said teachers expect to instruct students how to get into Google Classroom and explain, complete and submit an assignment without touching a piece of paper. The student-friendly education system is called Edgenuity and costs $1,750 per elementary student per semester. The rate for high-school students is $250 per course per student each semester.

The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction is providing a distance-learning plan for the next 15 months called Edmentum. Suda told the Tribune, “We want to see the Edmentum product, but the state is figuring to be ready to demo and train teachers possibly as late as Sept. 1.”

Suda and Dryburgh agree that should a hybrid plan be necessary, grades K-9 will be taught in person, while grades 10-12 learn at home. Should schools be ordered closed, K-12 would implement distance learning.

Masks and seating
“Return to Learning” states “The wearing of face masks/coverings will be expected, as it is key to slow the spread.”

Suda said she hasn’t heard much feedback on masks being required. Staff are required to wear a mask. Should a student refuse, the district will talk with the student and their parents to reach a resolution.

“We’re not trying to tread on anybody,” Kozojed said. “We want to keep everybody safe.”

Seats will be assigned for rural bus rides to and from school, meaning siblings will sit with each other. There will not be in-town busing. Social-distancing will apply to six feet between desks in the classroom and between students in the lunchroom.

High-school students will clean their desks before and after class. School staff will sanitize common surfaces, restrooms. lunchrooms and buses. Playground equipment will be cleaned on a regular schedule by the custodial staff.

Parents should screen their children daily before sending them to school. Temperatures of symptomatic students or staff may be taken at the school. The bottom line is that parents and students understand that rules for quarantine must be followed for those who have been exposed. Students who have been quarantine must provide a return date to the school.

Water fountains are modified to fill bottles only. Staff and students should bring their own. Lunchroom selections will be pre-packaged and there will not be a salad bar. Unless visitors provide an essential service, they will not be pemitted access inside the schools.

Athletics
Unanswered questions lie with junior- and high-school sports.

One issue addressed was to allow dual-sport athletes. Athletic director Dave Nelson says those students and their coaches are going to take COVID-19 seriously and do what needs to be done, including required practices.

Nelson says Hillsboro and Central Valley may plan education differently, but they have to supervise athletics the same way.

“At the next board meetings, there will be some decisions the boards have to make with sports,” Nelson told the panel.

Protocol will include only 10 players allowed at a time in the locker room and they cannot use the shower.

Practices will be held at the facility with the least number of athletes who need busing. Suda says the district is lobbying the City of Hillsboro to use the armory for volleyball practice.

No overnight trips are planned. Spectators will be limited to 75% capacity and required to wear masks.

Suda said, “We took out the need for coaches to take temperatures before practice. Taking temperatures is not a part of the sports protocol by Sanford.”

Kozojed asked for a motion to approve “Return to Learning.”

“This plan has been run over plenty of times by plenty of eyes,” he said. “We’ll use this as a broad guideline and adjust from there.”

A motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously.

The board also moved to submit a certificate of levy to the county auditor’s office. The district will assess the same number of mills that it did the previous school year, 86.

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