{"id":6611,"date":"2020-06-18T17:30:03","date_gmt":"2020-06-19T01:30:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/communications.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us\/?p=6611"},"modified":"2020-06-18T17:30:03","modified_gmt":"2020-06-19T01:30:03","slug":"kpbsd-smart-start-plans-for-new-school-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kpbsd.org\/schools\/comm-test\/2020\/06\/18\/kpbsd-smart-start-plans-for-new-school-year\/","title":{"rendered":"KPBSD Smart Start plans for new school year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Work is underway for a smart start to the new school year<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Soldotna, June 18, 2020\u2014Superintendent John O\u2019Brien\nassures parents, students, and communities that although it may be summer break,\nsignificant work is underway to plan for the August start of 42 schools, during\na global pandemic.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

Dear parents,\nstudents, staff, and Kenai Peninsula Borough communities:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

A 20 person team\nhas been designing the safe start-up plans for school in August when we will welcome\nall children and staff into the new 2020-2021 school year. Our sincere hope and\nplanning goal is to open up all 42 schools for onsite and in-person teaching\nand learning.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

The Alaska Departments of Education and Health and Social Services requested every school district in the state to develop alternative plans in the event it becomes necessary to provide for safe social distancing measures, or a more drastic return to remote learning if the COVID-19 virus makes a strong return in our communities. Part of the planning process includes how we will be able to accurately determine community and school risk levels, and our response. Information and guidance will come from both the state and public health. The risk levels and the implemented actions in KPBSD may include:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

In a\u00a0Green or Low Risk<\/strong>\u00a0environment, school will open on a normal schedule, and be as typical as possible with increased health and hygiene measures in place <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

In a\u00a0Yellow or Medium Risk<\/strong>\u00a0environment, plans may require safe social distancing in schools and during bus transportation, smaller groupings of students, the possibility of wearing cloth face masks in some settings, and options for remote work or learning for higher risk students and staff<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

If we were experiencing community spread and transmission of the COVID-19 virus, this would trigger\u00a0Red or High Risk<\/strong>\u00a0plans to be implemented which will likely result in the closure of some schools, and the need to provide remote off site instruction in that region of the district<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

In July, the\nKPBSD Board of Education and the Alaska Department of Education and Early\nDevelopment will receive our draft plans for final approval. I offer a special\nthanks to the hundreds of staff and thousands of families who participated in\nthe survey that took place in May.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

Our critical mission is to provide equitable educational support and opportunities for all students, all school year. For information and the latest updates about the KPBSD 2020 Smart Start<\/a> team\u2019s work, please frequently visit our KPBSD 2020 Smart Start web page<\/a> at https:\/\/bit.ly\/3eflLXC<\/a>, or access it from the KPBSD.org homepage. <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n

Wishing you\nsuccess and positive impact,
\nJohn O’Brien, Superintendent<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

Links<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n