We are GOING BACK TO SCHOOL!!
10-5-2020
HCS Family,
As you all know we have been in our Distance Learning model for the past week and will do so until Friday of this week. We will return to in class learning Monday, October 12th. Returning to in class learning was discussed with our county health department and with our HCS board of directors, so that we could come back with a plan that would keep us in the building learning. Many of you have expressed the need for a mask mandate and some of you have expressed the opposite. Our decision for the proper protocol was made, due to the sole purpose of what is best for the most involved and what keeps us in the building learning.
The county health department made it known to us that if we were under a mask mandate for our staff and students we would not need to close our building due to a positive COVID-19 test result. That information was presented to our board, and our board voted unanimously to madnate masks as a part of our Return to Learn Policy.
As I stated before, some of you will agree and some of you will disagree, and I for one have my own belief on the results of masks, but I do know that if it keeps us learning together in what we know as Heartland Christian School, then I am ALL for it!
The following is the new Return to Learn Policy, the drop off and pick up have not changed. The main two changes are the mask mandate and the change to seating charts in all classes. Here is the Policy:
Heartland Christian School
“Return to Learn” Plan
2020-21
currently have symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath),
have tested positive for COVID-19, or live with someone with symptoms or
confirmed COVID-19 in the last 14 days
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Library:
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Chapel:
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Elementary:
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Possible live feed chapel to the classrooms.
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Possibly one class can be in chapel a week and rotate classes that go into chapel.
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Outside chapel when weather permits.
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Seating charts & masks will be mandatory.
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JH/HS:
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HS will alternate chapels with JH attending once every other week on Fridays.
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Whichever classes are not in chapel, they will attend a discipleship training offered through Bible teachers.
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Seating charts & masks will be mandatory.
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Retreats:
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Elementary: Canceled
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JH/HS: Canceled
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Field Trips:
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Christmas/Spring Programs:
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Athletic Events:
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Athletic practices & events will resume Monday, October 12th.
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Volleyball, Cross Country, Basketball, & Track will be offered as normal.
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We will adhere to the IHSAA/IGHSAU guidelines and procedures.
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Masks will be required at all Athletic events.
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Distance Learning during a 24-48 hour shut down:
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Distance Learning during a long term mandatory shut down:
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Preschool:
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Scheduled Zoom meeting.
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Drop Off Box set up for extended distance learning if needed.
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Recorded video of lessons being taught.
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Or, in class sessions with fewer students in the classrooms (determined by DHS procedures).
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Elementary:
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Scheduled Zoom meetings for core subjects.
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Drop Off Box set up for extended distance learning if needed.
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Recorded video of lessons being taught.
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Or, in class sessions with fewer students in the classrooms (determined by DHS procedures).
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JH/HS:
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Core subjects assignments will be listed on Praxi.
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Zoom, Marco Polo, Google Hangouts will be utilized by teachers.
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Drop Off Box set up for extended distance learning if needed.
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HCS at Home Learning:
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Preschool:
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Elementary:
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JH/HS:
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Core courses will be offered by recorded video.
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Homework assignments will be required by set due dates
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Tests will be taken on site at HCS by appointment.
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Fall 2020
HCS Family,
First, we want to say “thank you” for your patience in allowing us the time to roll out the best possible plan for our fall reopening.
Second, the Executive Committee has finalized our 2020-21 “Return to Learn” plans, and the HCS board has approved these plans as well. Of course there are some new procedures that we all will need to adjust to, and we also ask for your continued support and flexibility as this plan may be adjusted due to state and/or federal government declarations. When changes are made to this plan we are committed to get the adjustments out to you as soon as possible.
We will be operating according to the school calendar that was approved by the board in January.
Important Dates:
Important Information to the “Return to Learn” Plan:
- The entire building, including carpets will be cleaned and sanitized by an outside cleaning company prior to the staff report date.
- School will be in session as a normal school year for Pre K-3 through 12th grade students.
- 8:00 AM-3:15 PM Monday through Friday.
- The building will open at 7:30 AM as normal. Any student arriving prior to 7:45 AM will need to be dropped off in the front drop off lane, enter door #1, and sit in their class assigned group in the gym. This will be staffed.
- Staff and Students will enter through designated entrances with thermal temperature scanners checking each staff and student's temperature upon arrival.
- Any staff with a temperature of 100.4 will not be allowed to enter the classroom, and will need to go home. Any student with a temperature of 100.4 or higher will be masked and escorted to the isolation room for parent pick up.
- The wearing of masks will be optional for staff & students.
- Anyone choosing to wear a mask will need to provide their own.
- Classroom sizes and max numbers will be as previous years.
- Field trips, programs, and concerts will be postponed until further notice.
- Athletics (Volleyball, Cross Country, Basketball, and Track) will follow the guidelines of both the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association and the Frontier Conference.
- New and additional equipment:
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Live stream cameras will be installed in each classroom for students who are uncomfortable for in class learning, transition to distance learning should a shutdown occur, and for any students who may be absent due to sickness.
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All lead & resource teachers will be issued new laptop computers to allow for an easy transition to “Distance Learning” should a shutdown occur.
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All staff will be equipped with personal thermometers.
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(12) new hand sanitizer stations will be installed in the building.
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The drop off/arrival and the releasing of students at the beginning and end of the school day will remain at the same time, but will be at designated entrances.
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Student desks will not be set up in pods and have the max amount of space between them as possible.
Read The Entire Board Approved “Return to Learn” Plan
In His Service,
The Executive Committee
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