Havre Public Schools gives updates on re-opening

Havre Public Schools Interim Superintendent Craig Mueller said a few changes have been made with the re-opening plan for the schools next week with no lockers being used and personal items brought by students will be kept to a minimum.

Havre Public Schools approved a blended model plan for its upcoming school year with half of the students going one day and half the other.

Wednesday, is the first day of school for all Havre Public School students, whether in person or remotely.

Distanced learning is happening on the days students aren’t face-to-face, Mueller said. Students who opted-out will receive instruction remotely five days a week.

Chromebooks will be handed out for students who are doing remote learning Monday through a drive-up service at the warehouse door of the Robins Administrative Building from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Parents received notifications this week through Infinite Campus Messenger informing them what group their children have been assigned to.

Parents who have questions about what group students have been assigned to, when they will attend school face-to-face and when remote learning will occur, parents should call the child’s school.

For students who are  in Group A, their first day of school in person will be Wednesday, Group B students, their first day of school in person will be Thursday and for students who have opt-ed out, remote learning will begin Wednesday.

Mueller said the district is required to enforce Gov. Steve Bullock’s mask directive under Montana law.

The governor’s mask directive states that mask wearing is mandatory at all times in counties with four or more active COVID-19 cases.

The district’s re-opening plan outlines the expectation that students will wear a face covering while the district is in Phase 2 when social distancing cannot be maintained, regardless of the number of cases in Hill County, he said.

“When Hill County has less than four active cases, students will still be expected to wear a face covering when in hallways and common areas and when social and physical distancing cannot be maintained at six feet.” Mueller said. “When there are fewer than four cases, students, when seated and socially and physically distanced in the classroom, can remove their masks.”

If a student has an underlying medical condition that affects their ability to safely wear a mask, the district will review that condition to determine what accommodations may be made in accordance with federal law, which may include remote learning for the student, he added.

“I want to thank the board for their contributions and support through this process,” he said. “We look forward to doing what we all do best, and that’s making sure our students get a quality education.”

“The teachers and support staff have been working diligently to prepare for the arrival of students next week,” Mueller added. “A tremendous amount of work has been done by our food service team, our custodians, maintenance, administrative assistants, administrators, technology department, support personnel and teachers to re-open schools in a safe and effective manner.”