Mountain View School District 244

Dear Parents and Guardians,                                                                          November 17, 2020

            Winter came in a quick manner to our Grangeville schools and provided rain and ice for our Kooskia schools.  Thanks for taking extra time to get to and from our area schools.  Parents continue to communicate support for in-school learning to our teachers and administrators.  I’m writing to inform you about the continued impacts of Covid-19 to our area schools, as well as some scheduling changes. 

            Over the past month, Idaho County has continued to see Covid-19 cases rise in most age categories.  The 5-18 year old category remains low, however, we are experiencing cases in all of our schools.  Students exhibiting symptoms of any illness are asked to stay home – thank you parents for your diligence in this area.  We appreciate it!  Your commitment to helping in this area will help our schools stay open. At this point, Idaho County remains in Green Status and Governor Little has placed our state in Level 2 restrictions.

            Schools fit the “Essential Worker” mandate. We are doing our best to offer the most reliable type of learning – in-class instruction.  We are also incorporating remote teaching methods to students that have opted to learn from home, as well as those students that may be under quarantine or experiencing flu like symptoms.  Some students need support via packet materials so they can continue with their studies at home where digital learning may not be an option. 

On Monday, November 16, the MVSD School Board passed a resolution to have students end their school day at or near 1:30 P.M. on Wednesdays.    The goal is to support our team by providing the extra preparation time required for providing many different teaching methods to students. This time will be utilized by staff for Google Classroom training, lesson planning, team collaboration and PLC’s (Professional Learning Communities), and to tackle other issues brought on by Covid-19.  Food and Bus Services will remain the same with the exception of an earlier bus departure on Wednesdays.

WEDNESDAY EARLY OUTS WILL BEGIN DECEMBER 2

(Early Outs will continue on each Wednesday until further notice).

            Our schools are not immune to the impacts of Covid-19.  Our schools could, in fact, close and necessitate entering into remote learning.  Please have a plan ready, to include your family backup plan if our school(s) should have to close or utilize a hybrid type of learning.  Plan to have a good learning place set up for you student, continue with routines that help reinforce their learning, be prepared to have them work with a computer and know how to log into classrooms and assignments.  This type of learning will take patience for yourself and for your student.  I can assure you, our team will do their best to resolve issues and make themselves available.  Your student must do their part to be timely to scheduled course work, communicate with their teacher(s) and follow through with assignments.

            Even though MVSD remains in ‘Green’ status, I want our families to be on the ready.  Moving into a different form of learning will happen quickly.  You will receive a robo-call from our automated system explaining the situation and more than likely a follow up of information from your building principal and/or teacher(s).  Once we enter into either Yellow or Red learning, evaluation of returning to Green Status will be on-going.   

            The Thanksgiving Holiday is right around the corner.  As we gather for giving thanks please be mindful of CDC (Center for Disease Control) guidelines. If for any reason, your child is not feeling well on the Monday back to school – please keep them home.  Our schools continue to recommend mask wearing and having your student be extra vigilant washing hands and following all health precautions.

            Each school will be corresponding with you to outline new times for the end of the Wednesday school day and times associated with transportation/bus routes.  Please reach out to your school if you have questions regarding Covid-19 impacts and/or our new Wednesday early out schedule.

Wishing you all the best during the Thanksgiving Holiday – be well and be safe!

Best,
Todd Fiske
MVSD Superintendent