Students in the Malta Bend R-5 School District are scheduled to be heading back to in-seat learning early next month.

According to a letter from Superintendent John Angelhow, the school will reopen on January 4.

Angelhow says, “After 22 days of distance learning, we are looking forward to welcoming our students back in the building. We are exceptionally proud of how the students, staff and parents of our district have worked together to navigate this crazy COVID crisis. We have faced really tough times. Some of us have lost family members. Some of us were not able to have a traditional Thanksgiving because of quarantining, social distancing and isolation. Christmas is around the corner, and not much has changed.”

Angelhow also says, “Some good news is that school will be back in session in January. Our school board has decided that with the reopening of the buildings, we are going to recommend that all staff and students wear face coverings (masks). We have a good supply of masks at our disposal that will carry us through May. This does not mean that face coverings or masks are mandatory. They are recommended, not mandated.”

Angelhow adds, “We will continue to closely monitor the health and well-being of all students and staff. We will follow the recommendations that CDC, DESE and local health officials have recommended to us. We want all involved to know that their health and safety are first and foremost in our minds and hearts.”