Ray-Pec Parent Community,
Our two primary objectives of our reentry plan are to provide an in-person learning experience for as many students/parents who want it for as long as we can, while providing a reasonable risk reduction strategy for all; and to provide a rigorous and relevant virtual instruction experience for those students/parents who are desirous of that experience.
An incredible amount of work has been accomplished in an extremely short period of time. We have put together a summary of much of the work that has been done and the protocols that have been developed to help advance those objectives. A big thank you to all of those involved with that work! This is indeed an outstanding organization.
We want your questions
Next week, we are preparing to release a few short informational videos about our reentry planning processes. If you have questions you would like addressed, please email those questions to rp.update@raypec.org. We will group those that we receive, and answer those most frequently asked.
Speaking of frequently asked questions….
I want to make sure that you are aware that we have already devoted a section on our website to frequently asked questions about the reentry planning process. This section has been added and expanded as new questions have come in. I invite you to take a look.
I’ve said this before, but….
You need to know about the potential for frequent transitions between in-person and distance learning for those students who selected the in-person option. We will default to the guidance of the Cass County Health Department (CCHD) to direct us if a positive case of COVID-19 should occur in our schools. The CCHD will guide us as to who needs to be either isolated or quarantined, and for how long, in each positive case. The CCHD will also guide us in the recommendation for classroom, school or district closure. If recommended, we will make the transition to temporary distance learning, as we reported in past emails to you. I want you to be keenly aware of and prepared for this possibility. To our parents who work outside of the home, there is the potential for classroom, school or district closures throughout the school year. Please think about personal contingency planning should a classroom, school or district closure become necessary.
Next week in my update to you, I plan to focus on two key questions: The “Why” behind the decision to move forward with the August 24 school start date; and the “What’s Next” as far as the contingency planning for the 2020-2021 school year.
Please remember that the time to help schools open, and remain open, starts now. Physical distancing, avoiding crowds or gatherings, wearing face coverings in public places, washing hands frequently, and staying home if you have symptoms of COVID-19 are commitments we need to make to give ourselves a true chance at making in-person schooling work.
Thank you for trusting your children with the Ray-Pec School District,
Mike Slagle
I am passionately driven by the belief that Everyone Is Created To Flourish
