All NCOE and Gallatin County district students, Pre-K through grade 12 will go full remote learning starting today through November 24th. Thanksgiving break is November 25-27, with no work assigned during that time. They plan to return to in-person learning on Monday, November 30th. Both Schools made the announcement Sunday due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases throughout the region.
November 15, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians,
This letter is to follow up and provide more information regarding the next six days of remote learning. All district students, Pre-K through grade 12 will go full remote learning starting on Monday, November 16th through November 24th. Thanksgiving break is November 25-27, with no work assigned during that time. We plan to return to in-person learning on Monday, November 30th.
Due to community numbers increasing, student and staff COVID-19 positivity cases, and a swarm of resulting quarantines we have found it next to impossible at this juncture to properly staff our buildings in a meaningful way to serve our students. These cases include everyone from teachers, bus drivers, aides, custodians, and students.
Even though we strongly believe in-person instruction is the best, we feel much more confident now in our E-Learning plan and hope to provide a much more meaningful educational experience now than what everyone experienced in the spring. Unlike the format in the spring, student participation and grades will be required during this time of remote instruction. Every student has been assigned a chromebook where their instruction can be found as well as communication from teachers. As a reminder, internet access is now available in each of the school parking lots, Omaha General Baptist church parking lot, Springerton Community Church parking lot, as well as the Norris City Public Library.
I would also like to acknowledge our students, parents, faculty, staff, and community efforts since the beginning of the school year until now. Our COVID-19 cases and quarantines were some of the lowest in our area and that was due to everyone’s adherence to the guidelines even as onerous as they were. I applaud everyone for the duration of time we have been able to achieve in school instruction up to this point and we are hopeful it will continue when we return after Thanksgiving break.
This is an extremely difficult and challenging time for everyone, and we hope these next two weeks will allow everyone to heal, recover, and come back even stronger! If you have any questions, need anything for your child, please contact your child’s school at any time.
Sincerely,
Matthew J. Vollman
Superintendent
