Santa Fe R-X Superintendent Derek Lark has released the district’s updated COVID-19 Mitigation Plan. Lark says plans are to have students in attendance for in-person classes. But he says there are plans available for virtual learning, as well.
According to the plan, several measures have been put in place.
Masks- The district will not mandate the wearing of masks. It will, however, recommend the use of masks at any given time and may possibly request that masks be worn in certain situations as staff deems appropriate. Masks will be provided at no cost. Students may certainly wear their own masks.
Transportation- Transportation will be provided as normal. Students will be spaced as much as possible and will be asked to sit in the same seat every day. Buses will be disinfected daily, using an atomizing fogging machine. The district is attempting to stagger arrival times of buses to prevent a bottleneck effect as students enter buildings.
Health Screening- The district requests that caregivers closely assess/monitor the health of students prior to sending them to school. The district respectfully asks that the taking of the student’s temperature each morning becomes part of their daily routine. Of course, the district wants its students in attendance, but only if they are healthy and pose no risk of spreading disease. Students with a temperature of 100.4 degree must be kept home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medicines such as ibuprofen.
Facility Sanitation- Several measures are being taken to keep the buildings sanitized. Facilities will be sanitized using commercial-grade ‘fogging machines’ which will aid in thoroughly disinfecting classrooms, hallways and common spaces. Additionally, portable foggers have been purchased for use on buses and spaces such as bleachers and areas where the commercial units cannot reach. Bi-Polar ionization air purification machines have been scheduled for installation. These machines remove any pathogens (viruses/mold/mildew/bacteria/allergens/pollen/smoke) from the air. These systems will be in addition to new air handlers, all of which should greatly help improve the air quality within the facilities. Staff will sanitize desks in between class periods. Where possible, interior doors will be left open to prevent cross-contamination. Drinking fountains have been turned off. Students are encouraged to bring water bottles and use the bottle-fillers found on the fountains. Hand sanitizer has been purchased in bulk and made available for use. Students will be periodically asked to use hand sanitizer. Sanitizing wipes and aerosol sprays have been purchased to aid in the efficient cleaning of surfaces.
Other Important Information:
Food Service-Students will be asked to sanitize their hands using hand sanitizer or by washing prior to eating. At SFE, there will be no salad bar available for self-serve; salads will be premade upon request.
Social Distancing- Students will be asked to distance as much as possible and regular/assigned seating will be expected to aid in contact-tracing. During certain classes, activities and passing periods, distancing will be unrealistic. At these times it will be recommended that students wear masks.
Extra-Curricular Activities- The Missouri State High School Athletics Association (MSHSAA) oversees the extra-curricular activities. At this time, these activities are still being offered to students. One item of note is that the MSHSAA recently changed one of its bylaws allowing for students who are enrolled virtually to still participate in athletics. That rule also states that the district may have more stringent policies, should it choose. At Santa Fe, students must attend school full-time to participate in athletics.
Distance Learning- If you feel your student requires distance-learning (virtual/packets) instruction for health/safety reasons, contact school offices at SFHS at (660) 674-2236, SFE at (660) 493-2811 (SFE) or Central Office at (660) 674-2238. Requests must be made by Friday, August 14. If there are any impediments to your child being successful in a distance-learning setting, contact your student’s office and make personnel aware. Should your child need technology assistance, it will be provided- if within the scope of the district’s abilities.
Grades PK-6: Students at SFE who are not attending in person will have a plan put in place in cooperation of staff, student and parents/guardians. Grades 7-12: students who voluntarily choose a distance-learning approach will be enrolled in an on-line program called Edgenuity. This will be a semester-long commitment (as it must paid by the district by semester), and the student will not be able to re-enroll for face-to-face instruction until the following semester. Should a student be quarantined by the local health department, administration and staff will work with the student and family to develop an appropriate academic plan that will best benefit the child. The district will not take a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach.
High school registration is taking place from noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12. New student registration is slated from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, August 13. The first day of school is scheduled for Monday, August 24.