School Reopening Update 7/16/2020

COVID UPDATE - The Administration team at Keytesville R-III has been working to create it’s plans for reentering school for the 2020-21 school year. The safety of our students, staff and community is our top priority. Over the last several months we have worked with guidance from the Chariton County Health Department, DESE and other local and state agencies to determine the best practices for our return to school. While still in draft form, the district has already made numerous revisions and expects this fluid document to change and evolve daily as new information becomes available. We understand that nothing can replace the value of face to face learning and are continually working to put plans in place to keep our students, faculty and families safe. At this time we are planning to start school as scheduled on August 25th. The current plan includes a three phase system of safe practices at school this year. Please keep in mind that we may start the school year in any of the three phases and will consult with the health department to determine which is appropriate at the time.

Phase 1 (Low to no COVID-19 spread in the community)
All students return to school with numerous mitigation strategies in place to protect students and staff. Some examples of strategies include: A separate entrance for elementary and JH/HS Students, Temperature checks of students and staff upon entrance to the building; staggered breakfast and lunch shifts to limit the number of students in the cafeteria each day; removal of the salad and fruit bars at breakfast and lunch; assigned seating on buses, in classrooms and at lunch/breakfast; strict bus protocols to keep students as isolated as possible; windows down on buses when possible; restricting any visitors to the school building without prior authorization; covering water fountains and allow students to bring water bottles, 25 additional sanitizing stations located throughout the building more frequent cleaning of doors handles, desks, etc and daily deep-cleaning procedures throughout the school and buses. Additionally, all students will be taught skills for remote learning, should that become necessary in later phases.

Phase 2 (COVID-19 confirmed in the community, minimal to moderate spread)
Phase 2 mitigation strategies increase to include; Strategies from phase 1 and masks/shields required of all students and staff; Limiting student movement throughout the building as much as feasibly possible; Breakfast/Lunch served in classrooms. All students have a home room and teachers rotate classrooms instead. Staggered bell schedules to reduce the number of students in the hallway at any one time. Elementary Specials taught in the elementary classroom. Possibly alternating days that students will attend.

PHASE 3 (Moderate to substantial COVID-19 spread in the community)
Phase 3 mitigation strategies include, closing the school and conducting remote learning. Should a closing occur, the district has been advised to plan for a minimum of a 14-day closure. Remote learning with include alternate methods of instruction such as online curriculum and

Again this is a fluid document and will likely change and be updated daily as we continue to receive guidance and resources from the Chariton County Health Department and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Finally, please understand that there is potential to start the school year in any of the phases dependent on the level of outbreak and that we'll make the appropriate adjustments to each of the phases as is necessary. .

The following link provides reopening guidance suggested by DESE. We will follow these guidelines as appropriate.

https://dese.mo.gov/…/f…/COVID-MO-K12-Reopening-Guidance.pdf

In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns regarding returning to school, contact Principal Chad Hall by email at or by phone at (660) 288-3767.

Sincerely,

Chad Hall
Principal

Josh Shoemaker

Superintendent

CARES ACT

Nonpublic School Participation in Services through the Corona Virus Aide, Relief and Economic Security Act

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