WMOK spoke with Massac County Unit #1 School Superintendent Jason Hayes about the instructual transition happening and the students resuming a Monday through Friday school week.
Last week Massac students completed their first full school week of the 2020/2021 school year. That just happens to coincide with the fact that it was one calendar year to the week of the last full school week. Adding Fridays back as in person learning for students has had no major problems, it has been “so far, so good” said Hayes.
Hayes advised WMOK that in February, 406 students or 22% of students were on full remote learning. As of today: 281 students have returned to classrooms, 63 students have returned the medical exemption form and have had it approved by a medical professional, 20 additional students are pending doctors approvals, 26 students were transferred out of the school system (home school, changed schools, etc.), and there are about 16 students who were on full remote status that the school is unable to get in contact with.
Superintendent Hayes said the students who the school has not been able to come in contact with, did get issued and picked up the school Chrome books at the beginning of the school year. The school may move to turn off those students Chrome books, to alert those students and parents they need to call their school.
Jason also stated that the school has taken huge gains and big steps in the right direction in the past couple of weeks to return to normal school days. He stated we are not all the way there yet, but we’re headed in the right direction and are receiving positive responses from both parents and students.
The schools are still being very cautious, but some guidelines have been somewhat relaxed Superintendent Hayes advises. New guidance from the ISBE may bring a couple of changes for the day to day activities. The focus, of course, is on transitioning and getting kids back into the classrooms.
When students are doing certain activities they will be able to be 3 feet apart versus 6 feet, such as when sitting in classrooms students will be able to sit 3 feet apart. During other activities like lunch, however, students will remain sitting 6 feet apart no matter what.
Hayes told WMOK that another requirement relaxed was regarding the 50 person limit on a room based on your capacity to social distance the appropriate 3 or 6 feet. So in the MCHS cafeteria for example, you would need enough space for all the students in there 6 feet apart in order to abide by the guidelines. Some of our schools do not have that ability and space. One lunch at the high school there are 290 students. Hayes advised there are still restrictions and the number one priority is the health and safety of all students and staff.
Another relaxed restriction is about the spectator requirements for outdoor athletic events.(football,soccer,etc.) There was a 50 person limit, now it is 20% of the capacity of the venue. For example, if a venue holds 2,000 people then 400 people would be allowed in. Hayes stated this is a huge gain for outdoor school activities.
Hayes also advised WMOK that most restrictions and guidelines remain in place. Masks are still required, cleaning and sanitizing, and social distancing are still in place. With the school making sure everyone is as safe as possible while trying to return to normal school days, Hayes said upcoming graduation is looking good. It is still a couple of months away, but with the school following the safety and health guidelines and if the numbers keep improving hopefully that will spell good news for the graduating class of 2021.
Hear our discussion in it’s entirety below:
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