Lamoni COVID-19 Parent Memo, April 10
Lamoni Community,
As we reflect on the last 19 school days students have missed due to Governor Reynolds’s emergency declaration, we are acutely aware that we have had to respond to challenges none of us have ever experienced - as individuals, in our families or in our school community. Despite our current circumstances, I am inspired by the efforts of our staff to make the best of the situation. Consider what has been accomplished for our students and families this last week alone:
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500 meals were served, equating to approximately 100 breakfasts and lunches on a daily basis.
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Seven (7) families accessed the school food pantry, supporting meals for 32 people in our school community.
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New lesson plans and activities were developed for students in preschool - 12th grade and posted on our district website and provided in paper form for students and families.
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The Board of Education met to review and approve the District’s application for Voluntary Educational Enrichment Opportunities to the Iowa Department of Education. This state application was developed, reviewed, submitted and approved by the Department of Education - all this week.
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42 Lamoni staff, including our principal, teachers, coaches, counselors, met online as a professional learning teams to review our next steps for how we continue to connect with and engage our students.
As this data demonstrates, Lamoni staff remain active in realizing our mission of ensuring our students continue to realize their potential during this closure. As importantly, I am excited to highlight elements of our application submitted to the Iowa Department of Education, which details our work moving forward, beginning Monday, April 13 and shows Lamoni PRIDE. Components include:
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We will continue to provide meal service on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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New learning lessons and resources continue to be developed by preschool - 12th grade staff and will be posted at Lamoni Educational Opportunities and available to pick up in paper form.
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Though online and paper learning opportunities are not required, we would like students to participate as they are able. We hope parents will support the school and their child’s learning as we continue to move forward for this school year. Continued practice of skills will help students to smoothly transition back to school, whenever we are able!
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In an effort to enhance connection, staff continue to explore and utilize a variety of ways students and families can work with teachers through email, phone calls and virtually, such as in Google Meet. This format is similar to Zoom and Facetime, in which students can see, talk, and interact with classmates and teachers.
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We know many families are sharing devices, limited internet bandwidth, and data plans. It is our hope that all students will connect each week with at least one teacher, however, we know this may not always be possible. Any of the opportunities we provide our students are voluntary and will be focused on connecting students and resources, maintaining student/school relationships, and answering homework questions.
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Middle School students will have the opportunity to check out a Chromebook to support their learning during this closure. A sign up sheet is being sent for your use, via email. Please check and sign up appropriately.
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We understand families may have challenges beyond student learning right now. Our plan is fluid and may change based on state and federal guidelines. Please continue to check your email, our district website and our District Facebook page. If you feel these opportunities are not accessible for your student, please reach out to Alan Dykens, PK-12 Principal, or myself. We will work with you to the best of our ability to make this possible.
We know that you have many questions about how this extended school closure will impact your child(ren); especially our high school students and their credit needs for graduation. We are continuing to work with the Iowa Department of Education, Iowa’s Area Education Agencies, and our neighboring districts to uncover answers. One thing is for certain, however; we are all in this together and we will seek answers that make sense given these unprecedented times.
Toward that end, the Board of Education did approve the 2020-2021 school calendar. This calendar is posted on our District website and is a good reminder that we continue to plan and prepare for students to return to learn in a variety of ways.
Tell your kids, our students, we miss them and to be well. We all look forward to a return to an even stronger Demon Community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have questions.
Chris Coffelt, Alan Dykens,
Lamoni Superintendent of Schools Lamoni PK-12 Principal