SOCSD updates return information, plans to release comprehensive guide
The Starkville-oktibbeha Consolidated School District has released some of its plans to reopen schools for the fall semester, even as COVID-19 case numbers remain high.
The district released an update on its plans Tuesday, with much of the listed procedures based on input from parents through surveys sent out earlier in the summer. The district also made adjustments based on concerns from teachers and administrators, as well as guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, Centers for Disease Control and the Mississippi State Department of Health.
Students will return on Aug. 10 to allow teachers more time in the classroom prior to their arrival to learn procedures and new protocols.
Teachers will return to work on Aug. 4. Superintendent Eddie Peasant said the plan could still change depending on guidelines and the progress of the novel coronavirus.
“Our guidelines are based on what the guidance and the conditions are right now,” Peasant said. “As the conditions adjust one way or the other, then there’s always potential for our plans to adjust accordingly. We continue to monitor it daily, as we have throughout this process and we have to be prepared to adjust as we need to.”
Students will have the option of going to school physically or virtually. The students will attend a five-day week as they would in a normal school year, despite a four-day week being proposed originally.
“At all of our elementary schools up through seventh grade, we’ll have the
option of returning traditional five days a week, and then also the virtual option, which will be completely online,” Peasant said. “Same thing at the eighth through 12th grade, but at the high school there will be an option to do a blended, hybrid option, which will be some in school and some virtual.”
Parents have until 8 a.m. on July 23 to select their child’s learning option for the first nine weeks. A form allowing parents to change their child’s learning option will be released today.
“We’ll just continue training our teachers and preparing them for what to expect right now,” Peasant said.
A comprehensive return to school guide will be released following the school board meeting on July 21. The guide will be the most comprehensive document the district has released on its return, and will include plans for scenarios including a confirmed novel coronavirus case at one of the district’s schools.
Each school in the district will also release a school-specific guide.
“We are focused on the health and safety of all of our students, faculty and staff,” Peasant said.
“That’s our number one priority, but we’re also going to continue to work to address the social and emotional needs of all of our students and staff, along with our families, and of course, academic success and trying to get our students back on track academically for success.”
He said a safe return to school was also the community’s responsibility.
“What we’re able to do and not able to do will depend strongly on how our community is doing in regard to this virus,” Peasant said. “As it improves, the chances are better that we can successfully return to school.”