Ekalaka Public Schools students will be back in the classroom next Thursday for on-site instruction. Back to school packets were mailed to parents this week. The packets include copies of the schools’ “Reopening Plan.”

The plan states that masks are not required, but that Ekalaka Public Schools recommends that students and staff wear them.

“Our goal to resume instruction and operations at our schools relies on the following priorities: a healthy and safe setting for students, staff, and the community; helpful support of teachers and staff; and responsible financial and operational procedures,” Superintendent Katy Wright wrote in a letter to parents. “We intend to meet this goal by upholding these priorities.”

The District has implemented physical distancing by reconfiguring classrooms and gathering spaces, installed sanitizing stations, hygiene signs, barriers and other measures to assist with individual protection.

Lunch will be closed campus only for the upcoming school year and a second lunch room will be added to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Grades will be put into pods for lunch and students will sit three per table and spaced “as much as possible.” Plexiglass will also be added in the cafeteria window.

Recess will be staggered as grades K-3rd will share recess time and grades 4th-6th will share recess time. The largest class, combined 4th-5th students, will be separated in to two different classrooms.

Guests and parents will not be allowed into classrooms and must use the main office to complete business and talk to students.

Students with multiple COVID-19 symptoms or with temperatures over 100 degrees will be sent home. Any student who tests positive for COVID-19 and students who were close contacts will have virtual class at the same time as their regularly scheduled class during a 14-day quarantine period.

“We are confident these and other proactive measures outlined in the plan will meet our shared goal of returning to student learning in the school. While not our intention to revert to instruction away from the schools, the School District understands that even with our best prevention efforts, it is possible that there may be an outbreak of this highly contagious virus in our community,” Wright wrote.

“Our School District remains committed to maintaining timely and relevant communications with staff, families and the community as this new school year begins. With your help, your students’ enthusiasm, and out teachers’ leadership, we’ll meet this challenge and have a successful school year.”

Ekalaka Public Schools’ complete “Reopening Plan” is posted on the schools website at http://www.ekalaka.net.