August 24, 2020
Greetings, Red Hawk Families,
We hope you and your family are looking forward to the start of our school year. We know this year brings with it a considerable amount of uncertainty and even concern as we attempt to navigate the waters of this pandemic.
Our staff, teachers, administrators, and board members have been working to plan for optimum levels of safety and learning. Teachers are creating instruction and learning experiences that are transferrable across all instructional models and attendance phases. This takes time and thoughtful study and our professionals are proving to be up to the task.
Earlier today, the USD 415 Board of Education met to discuss the beginning of our school year and develop a consensus regarding the instructional model. The members examined gating guidelines and listened to the input of local medical providers. They carefully examined the guidelines and applied them as they could to our context. In doing so, it was agreed that starting school on-site represented the most appropriate decision at this time. Therefore, when we start on September 2nd and 3rd, we will do so on-site. Of course, we do so requiring that all personnel and students wear masks as detailed in our return to learn plan. USD 415 leaders will continue to monitor the situation daily and plan so that we can pivot to a new model (hybrid or on-line) should circumstances necessitate.
Please stay tuned for updated information. In the next few days, families will receive information regarding the groupings for the hybrid phase. That phase would be implemented if circumstances require reducing the number of students in our buildings. Again, at this time, USD 415 plans to start school with students in our buildings.
Despite the uncertainties, I know I join my colleagues in expressing my excitement and anticipation. We miss our students and look forward to seeing them soon. Thank you for your continued support of USD 415 Schools and for your support of our teachers, staff, and students. Please contact your school or the district office with questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Lonnie D. Moser, Superintendent