Brockton School Administration Releases Back-To-School Plan
Northern Plains Independent Staff A hybrid approach will be utilized for most of Brockton's students when school reopens on Aug. 19.
The Brockton School board approved a plan on Thursday, Aug. 6, that includes K-8 students attending school two days a week and an alternating Friday while receiving instruction via online the other two days of the week. High school students will attend on-site each day of the school week.
According to the plan, the rotating days is an attempt to limit the number of individuals in the school building at any given time and to maintain small cohort groups as per CDC guidelines.
Brockton superintendent of schools Steve Engebretson said that the school district's highest priority is the safety of students, staff and community.
The plan was created after meetings with teachers, surveys to parents, legal advice and input from the Office of Public Instruction.
“It really was a collaborative effort,” Engebretson said. “It's little pieces from all the places. I think it came out really well.”
All individuals in fourth grade and older will be required to wear a face covering. The school district will provide disposable masks if needed. There are many options available from the school.
School doors will open at 8 a.m. K-6 students should enter through the handicap entrance. Students in grades 7-12 should use the concession entrance. All students, staff and visitors will have their temperature taken prior to entering the school. Students with temperatures above 100.4 degrees will be sent to the school's health care room and parents/guardians will be asked to take the student home. Students who ride the school bus will have their temperatures taken before boarding.
Breakfast will be delivered to each classroom starting at 8:10 a.m. The meals will be eaten in classrooms at the beginning of first period. Lunch will be delivered to each classroom. Students will eat lunch in their classrooms.
Recess for grades K-6 will be conducted by grade level. Playground equipment will be disinfected at the end of recess.
The goal is to keep students in pods so that if one student gets ill, it would only impact that pod.
School will be dismissed at about noon on Friday to allow custodial staff to deep clean the facility on a weekly basis. During Friday afternoons, teachers will be available to provide one-on-one instruction.
“It's not ideal,” Engebretson said of the school schedule. “But at least they are in school and can build relationships with teachers.”
An off-site instruction plan is available for students if that what their family desires. All grading deadlines will be the same for off-site instruction as on-site instruction. There will be a training session for off-site students on the afternoon of Aug. 26, at the school. The school will provide Chromebooks or other devices to students for distance learning. Students must have on-site instruction in order to be involved in Montana High School Association activities.
There was discussion about if Brockton's students should play against other schools that don't mandate face coverings. At least one trustee said that he doesn't feel Brockton should be competing in games at those schools. Engebretson said MHSA is aware of the problem and is looking to the governor's office for guidance.
“We have to create the safest environment possible for our kids and our staff,” Engebretson said.
