Box Elder starting school with distanced learning

Box Elder Public Schools is continuing with distance learning at least for two weeks for its upcoming school year.

Box Elder Public School Board of Trustees held a meeting Monday and voted to  start the year with distance learning it is planned to operate the schools at 25 percent capacity after Labor Day, Box Elder Superintendent Jeremy MacDonald said.

“As far as safety precautions, we are taking information from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, Rocky Boy Health Center, Hill County, public health, Office of Public Instruction and the governor’s office to put in as many safety precautions as we can for our students, staff and our community,” he said. 

But community spread of the virus could change plans, he said.

He said the re-opening plan will be a remaining item on the school board agenda for discussion until the pandemic is over.

It will continue to be a working document to be revised if needed, he added.

The district is trying to come up with a plan to have at least 25 percent of their students return to campus, he said.

He added that they are looking at a morning group of 25 percent and an afternoon group of 25 percent of students who choose to attend classes in the school buildings.

Masks will be required.

“Those will be for the families that choose to have their kids attend school,” MacDonald said. “We will have a remote learning option that’ll be available until families are comfortable, possibly the whole school year for some.”

Additional safety protocols and procedures are put in place, he said, in teaching and learning, athletics, food service and transportation services.

“I feel hopeful and optimistic,” he said. “We are working to improve our effectiveness in distance learning. We feel there are opportunities to get families and the community involved with our efforts as well. This is a huge challenge, but I know we have good people on our staff and I think we will be up to the task. Flexibility is going to be important for all stakeholders.”

“People need to know we are doing our best to provide educational services as safely as we can for our students, staff and community,” MacDonald added. “We are all navigating uncharted waters, but if we commit to making decisions based on health and science we can do this together.”

For more information, people can visit the school’s website at https://www.boxelderbears.org/?fbclid=IwAR0e5h0FUgGlAaCAYWV7FvOU25O

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The first day of school is set for Monday, Aug. 24.