What is the MCSD’s public response to COVID-19?

To the Editor,

     I am sharing the following note, which I have sent to the Monticello Board of Education. Students will be returning to formal learning in a few weeks. The health and safety context for student learning is always a concern. Obviously, the current context is presenting more challenges than most any other year. It is essential that the community is very informed of the practices, policies and coaching/training of staff to ensure the safe learning for all students. Further, the efforts of the Monticello Schools to ensure the safety of students will have a substantial ripple effect throughout the community. Therefore, I offer the following comments and suggest that members of the community are actively involved to ensure safety, health and learning for all.

     I have and will always be very proud of the work by the Monticello Community School District. Your efforts to establish policy and directions for the new school year will be more important than most any other year in decades. Thus, I am writing to offer some thoughts for you to consider and I look forward to your responses to the Monticello public.

     The context from my perspective of student learning is the primary focus of the school; especially in the areas of core content, social and emotional learning. However, given our current context the HEALTH and SAFETY of all individuals will be a HUGE concern and priority to ensure student learning is feasible. The number of COVID-19 cases has clearly not declined this summer. I do concur children need to be in school on some basis to achieve the learning which is essential. I realize there are “mixed messages” in the public regarding safety and health practices. However, my sense is when you review the evidence from medically trained individuals representing multiple organizations, the evidence is overwhelming what some of the practices for health and safety may be to ensure the health and safety of students and all staff.

     One regional source, which you likely have reviewed, is the summary on page 4 from Linn County Public Health; I realize the Jones County Public Health department most likely has similar ideas.

     Therefore, I am requesting your response to the following areas to be shared with the community to assist families to make informed decisions regarding their plans for ”their” children.

     1. What is the plan for facemasks/shields for all individuals throughout the school day and school activities?

     2. What is the plan for cleaning all areas of school property in terms of frequency and methodology of cleaning which prevents COVID-19?

     2.1. What is the availability of sanitizer in all school areas?

     2.2. What is the plan for training all staff to consistently coach and teach students to implement relevant sanitizing and face protection?

     3. What is the plan for all areas (halls, common areas, restrooms, and transportation) for social distancing?

     4. What is the plan for contact tracing after a student or staff member has been identified with COVID-19? How will and how rapidly will family members be informed after their child has been in contact with a person with COVID-19?

     5. What is the plan if a student/staff member within a classroom is positive for COVID-19 for this classroom to continue their learning?

     I offer these questions for your reflection and look forward to your PUBLIC responses to members of the community to be aware of the detailed plans to support a health/safe and effective year of learning for every student in the Monticello Community. I am confident the Monticello School District will be a leader in the area to provide effective and productive learning for the coming school year.

Sincerely,

Keith Stamp

Monticello, Iowa