July 20, 2020
In This Issue

 

 

We hope this message finds you and your loved ones healthy. Below are several important updates we wanted to share in regards to returning to school in August. Have a safe and healthy rest of your summer!
RepMO Return to Learn Plan
The Republic School District has developed health-related protocols which were created in conjunction with the Springfield-Greene County Health Department in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The protocols are based on best practices from schools and businesses around the globe and recommendations from DESE and our community. They are subject to change moving forward. 

The goal of these protocols is to mitigate the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and other illnesses by reducing the number of personal and surface contacts students and employees experience while at school. While reduction is the goal, it is impossible to completely eliminate all contact and therefore risk of exposure.

Please watch this video with information from Superintendent, Dr. Matt Pearce for more details.
A three phased approach was taken in the creation of these protocols. Below you will find definitions of all of these phases. However, at this time we are releasing specifics about phase 1, but want to emphasize that it is possible the district will see all of these phases throughout the school year. 

Due to the unpredictable nature of this pandemic we recommend securing backup childcare plans in case we are forced to quickly shift into a phase in which school would not be in session. As always, we will work to efficiently communicate with our families giving as much notice as possible.





The Republic School District is dedicated to providing students with an exceptional learning experience. Although we believe that students learn best inside our classrooms in a seated setting, we understand that these are uncertain times and feel it's important to provide our families with learning options that best meet their individual needs.

As the video mentioned, there are three learning options available for the 2020-21 school year, which starts August 24. Please review the image below and CLICK HERE for all the details.  We ask that our families determine what option will work best and commit to that learning option for at least one semester. 

For those wanting to participate in the hybrid or 100% virtual options, they will need to contact their individual school building to get enrolled properly. A deadline to make this decision will be announced soon.

Take note, these learning options are applicable for phases 1 and 2 of our plan. Should the district need to operate in phase 3, all students will be moved to an online learning platform and assigned district technology devices to do so.


Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey distributed earlier this month. Over 3000 patrons and 588 employees provided input. As a follow-up, an additional survey will be distributed later this week to assist the district with re-opening plans, and a final plan will be released approximately one week before school begins.
 School Starts August 24
We're looking forward to another great school year in Republic! The 2020-21 school year officially begins on Monday, August 24. Please visit 
 for all the back to school details you'll need! Keep in mind, we are continuing to add information at this point.  

Extra Duty Contracts and At-Will Agreements
For employees with extra duty contracts and at-will agreements, if you have not yet returned those to Sheryl Blankenship at Central Office, please do so immediately as they are overdue. 
Back to School Registration NOW OPEN!
Nearly all back to school forms will need to be completed online through the SISK12 Parent Portal by August 12. As a reminder, the Parent Portal is a tool that parents can use to monitor items like meal balances, grades, attendance, etc. We recommend using it throughout the school year!
 
This tool makes the back to school form process as easy and smooth as possible for our families.  Please login to the Parent Portal and complete the needed forms by August 12. ALL students (preschool through 12th grade) must have a parent/guardian complete these required forms.  Take note that specific forms must be completed for students to participate in various activities, including technology usage.
 
To find the Parent Portal  CLICK HERE  or simply visit  republicschools.org  and click on the "Parent Portal" icon. This can also be accessed through the district's free mobile app. As a reminder, to login use the email address you have provided to the district and enter the password you have created. If you've forgotten it, simply click on the "forgot password" button and follow the prompts.
 
TAKE NOTE:  Do not choose "Register New Family" if your student has attended Republic School District in the past or is registered to attend EC or kindergarten for the 2020-21 school year. This option is for new to Republic families only. 
 
If you're returning to Republic, you're able to login to the Parent Portal per the directions above using your former login credentials and re-enroll your students by selecting the "re-enroll student" button near the top of your home screen.
 
EC and Kindergarten Families:  We appreciate you completing the online forms when you enrolled your child for preschool or kindergarten screening. However, there are additional forms to complete so please plan to access the Parent Portal by August 12 to fill those out. Thank you!
 
TROUBLESHOOTING: If you are having issues or are receiving errors, we recommend trying the following:
1. Changing your browser- the system operates best on Google Chrome. 
2. Clearing your cache. On the screen in which you are having issues, hold the shift button and press refresh. Keep the shift button held until the refresh button is done spinning.
 
Online Form Tips:
  • Your username is the email address you have provided to the district.
  • If you do not know your password, simply select "forgot password" on the login screen, follow the prompts and a new one will be emailed to you.
  • At the bottom left of each form you must select the "completed form" statement in red to move forward. 
  • You can only submit your forms to the district one time each school year. Once they are submitted you cannot go back and change them. 
  • Once all forms are "complete" select "save" ---> "list" and a pop up screen will appear asking if you are ready to submit to the district. If you are, select "ok" and a congratulatory pop up will appear. 
 
There is a toolbar at the bottom of each form that should be used. Here are a few items to note: 
  1. Only use the arrows in this toolbar to navigate through the forms. Do NOT use your internet browser arrows.
  2. Click the "list" button at any time to return to the full list of forms.
  3. The "save" button can be used to save your work if you need to logout and come back later to complete the forms. 
Office Visits, Specifically Federal Programs
In an effort to keep visitors and employees safe and healthy, visiting our offices may look a bit different. Specifically, we are asking that visitors to our Federal Programs Office for items like residency waivers adhere to the following requests. The reasoning is because the length of visits to this office is usually longer than others and the set-up of the office space is also a bit different than others across the district. Thank you in advance!

1. When possible, please schedule an appointment to complete a residency waiver by calling 735-3715. 
2. Please limit the number of people present to complete the residency waiver.
3. To expedite the process, please bring your identification and proof of residency to your appointment. Accepted proofs of residency include: real estate contract, rental agreement, electric bill, gas bill, or water bill. 

Take note, many of our elementary and EC offices are closed until mid-July. Please call before your visit to determine availability. 
New School Supply Option through Teacher Lists
Republic School District is pleased to partner with Teacher Lists to make your school supply shopping easy. By visiting https://www.republicschools.org/schoolsupplies you now have the option to use one click online ordering or to print supply lists and go to the store directly for purchasing. Local vendors will also have these lists available, just as in the past.
Transportation Information
Starting this year, students who selected they will be riding a bus this year during online registration will need to login to the Parent Portal to see bus information.  Bus letters will no longer be mailed out.   For those who have completed online registration by August 12, bus information will be viewable on August 18 in the Parent  P ortal.  Those who have not completed online registration by this date will experience a lag in 
being able to view transportation details in the Parent Portal. 
Additionally, those needing to utilize the shuttle buses from the high school to the middle school can find information at  https://www.republicschools.org/transportation
 beginning August 18. 
 
back-school-bus.jpg
If you do not see any bus information in the Parent Portal August 18, 2020, please call the Transportation Department at 417.732.3680. Information is updated nightly in the Parent Portal.
 
Due to the volume of students being routed, bus stop locations and times need to be adjusted, so  please check the day before school starts for the most up to date bus stop information. Questions regarding transportation can be directed to 417-732-3680.
 
The safe transportation of our students is a top priority for the Republic School District. To ensure that each route and trip provided to our students is safe and pleasant, it is imperative that a safe, clean and controlled environment is provided on the bus. In that regard, we ask that all bus riders and guardians review the bus riding expectations listed  HERE.  

Tiger STRIPES, TEENS & PALS Registration Open
Registration is now open for Tiger PALS, Tiger STRIPES and Tiger TEENS.  You may register online by clicking on the following link:  http://weblink.donorperfect.com/STRIPES360_Registration  or by visiting the STRIPES 360 webpage at  www.republicschools.org/STRIPES360 .
 
We will be providing care through Summer Safari on select days before school starts (please note the registration deadline for these days is August 3rd):

Special Education Meetings:  August 10th (Note: This is for SPED personnel ONLY).
New Teacher Induction Days:  August 12th-13th (Note: This is for new teachers to the district ONLY).
School Improvement Days:  August 17th, 18th, 20th
Teacher Work Day:  August 19th
 
Once you have completed the STRIPES 360 Online Registration Form you may register for the days above by clicking on the following link:  https://bit.ly/b2scubcare
 
More information regarding Summer Safari days before school starts will be sent out to those enrolled on August 5th.

Immunization Requirements
With seated summer school around the corner and the upcoming school year approaching, we wanted to remind families of the immunizations required for students. This mainly impacts incoming kindergarten, 8th and 12th grade students. CLICK HERE to see the requirements.
District and Community Announcements
Republic area churches and organizations are mobilizing to provide various resources for citizens. Further details can be found at 417OUTREACH.COM




Summer Reading Program
For questions or comments please contact me via email or by calling 417-732-3605.
  
Sincerely,
  

Josey McPhail

Director of Communications
Republic School District