Dear District 140 families,
We’ve just completed a little over three weeks of the 2020-21 school year, and I’d like to thank you for your ongoing flexibility and support of Kirby School District 140. Students and staff have been working diligently within our fully remote learning model, and although there have been some bumps in the road, we have made significant progress in a short amount of time.
That being said, we understand that many of our families would like to see their students return to some form of in-person learning. We are working diligently to make this a reality. The district is reviewing the feedback we’ve received from students, staff, and community members in terms of improvements to our Remote Learning program and available options for a return to in-person learning following local health department and State guidelines. District 140’s ultimate goal is to return students to some form of in-person learning as quickly and safely as possible.
Let me explain where we stand today and what we need to move forward.
- Over the past three weeks, approximately 100 students districtwide in specialized programs returned to our schools. Health and safety protocols following local health department and State guidelines are in place.
- We have screened an additional 75 students with specialized needs for placement and services. We expect to transition these students to an onsite program within the next few weeks.
- Necessary PPE, safety, and cleaning supplies are now on site. Personnel requiring N95 masks have been fitted.
- District teams are reviewing our Remote Learning program and exploring additional partial in-person learning options in preparation for the second quarter of the school year.
- A Family Commitment Form & Survey is in progress and will be sent to families by the end of the week.
- After family commitment forms and survey results have been evaluated, our programs will be adjusted, and student schedules and transportation needs will be determined. Families will be notified.
We will provide families with weekly updates over the next month as we progress toward our goal of returning students to some form of in-person learning as quickly and safely as possible. Thank you for your ongoing
patience and support.
Sincerely,
Dr. Shawn M. Olson
Superintendent