Poplar School Board Meets

A parent expressed her concerns at the Poplar School board meeting about how the school district is responding to virus issues.

“It’s disturbing to me that our school district isn’t putting out information and controlling the narrative,” she said, while mentioning Facebook comments.

She noted the amount of cases seems to continue to grow in Roosevelt County. She said that people that are in contact with sick individuals are coming into the school.

“It’s only a matter of time that it comes into our building,” the parent said.

Recent changes at the school have included introducing more than a dozen hand sanitizing stations in the hallways and having gallon jugs to refill teachers’ bottles in the classroom.

There are 254 Chromebook devices available in the high school and 410 devices for middle school students.

“It will take a while to adapt,” Jon Daniels, technology coordinator, said. “We’re still in a growing stage.” Athletic director Coy Weeks said that Poplar’s first high school football game of the season went pretty well as far as social distancing.

The volleyball match scheduled in Malta for Saturday, Sept. 12, was rescheduled because there were concerns after the Indians played in Wolf Point on Thursday, Sept. 10.

“I thought better safe than sorry,” Weeks said.

Guidelines for Poplar’s athletic activities include not to exceed 75 percent fan capacity for the school gym and that face coverings are required.

Poplar High School Principal Terry Falcon explained that homecoming activities this week will only include coronation taking place during half-time of the football game and dress-up days during the week.

Poplar Superintendent of Schools Dan Schmidt said there are 14 regional home school students. Montana State University - Northern has seven practicum students in Poplar this year.