Lincoln-McKinley lists details in school re-opening

In accordance with the Phase 2B plan approved by the Havre School Board of Trustees, Lincoln-McKinley Primary School the student population will be divided into three groups, Principal Holly Bitz said in a letter to the parents.

Students who are in Group A In the building Mondays and Wednesdays will do remote learning Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; students in Group B will be in the building Tuesdays and Thursdays with remote learning Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and students who have opted-out all instruction will have remote learning Monday-Friday.

Open House will be scheduled in accordance to which groups the students are in.

For children attending school in the buildings on Mondays and Wednesdays, the letter said, athe Open House will be Monday.

The last names A-M will meet in the classroom from 11-11:45 a.m., while last names N-Z will attend from 12-12:45 p.m.

It said for children who are attending school in the buildings Tuesdays and Thursdays, Open House will be Tuesday, from 11-11:45 a.m for the last names A-M and 12-12:45 p.m. for last names N-Z. 

For students who have opted-out, their classroom teacher will contact the parents, she said.

Parents who are unable to attend at the designated time need to make an appointment to meet with their child’s teacher on a Friday. 

“Attendance at Open House is limited to one parent and the student to ensure social distancing,” Bitz said. “Please wear a mask. You may bring school supplies in at this time. We are excited to meet you.”

The letter said it is necessary for parents to have a Parent Portal Account. 

To set up a Campus Parent Account, people can go to Havre Public Schools and select the Parent Portal link or click the link. https://mtdecloud2.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/havre.jsp .

Parents will need an account to log in for attendance on remote learning days, Bitz said, adding that this will be a morning and afternoon login that must be completed by the parent or student on remote learning days. 

A guide to assist parents is available online at  https://kb.infinitecampus.com/help/campus-parent-portal#blended-learning . Parents needing additional assistance can call the Lincoln-McKinley office at 395-8554.

She said attendance needs to be completed twice daily for any remote learning day and students can log into Infinite Campus for morning attendance between 7 to 11 a.m. and afternoon attendance from noon to 5 p.m. 

For meals, families who qualify need to fill out the paperwork for free/reduced meals each year, she said. The application for the meal program available on the Havre Public School website, https://www.blueponyk12.com/  Go to the tab: Parent portal, it will bring up the following link: https://mtdecloud2.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/havre.jsp .

People should log in using Parent Credentials; once logged in, click on Applications/Forms and click to start the application process.

Grab-and-Go meals can be picked up at Havre High School from 9 to 11 a.m., students will be charged for meals unless families qualify for free or reduced meals.

Families are able to drop off or pick up their child on the south side of the building and may also drop off their child on the north side in the mornings, but not pick them up there due to bus parking and loading in the afternoon, the letter said.

“Although we are back in school in a blended format we still want our students, staff and parents to be safe and healthy. Some of the key procedures being implemented are: 

“• At this time, it is required that all adults and children aged 5 older wear a mask and practice social distancing guidelines when entering any Havre School District building or facility; per the Hill County Health Department and also the Office of the Governor. 

“• Teachers in a collaborative effort with the school nurse and the Hill County Health Department will provide instruction on the following areas to assist with the prevention of COVID-19: correct mask-wearing, social distancing, hand-washing and staying home when sick.

“• It is understood that kids sometimes get sick while at school and not before. We will have protocols in place to isolate students who are not well and are displaying symptoms related to COVID-19. We will consult with our school nurse if necessary and will contact the parent immediately. The district will utilize a COVID-19 symptom flowchart as a guide,” Bitz said in the letter.

She said people should check the school website regularly or contact the school directly for information and updates.

“Thank you for working with us as we navigate this school year,” Bitz said. “As a learning community, we need to work collectively, be flexible and be there for our students and each other. Together we will provide your child with a quality education while keeping them safe and healthy in the process.”