By Linda Kor Joseph City School District Superintendent Bryan Fields informed the school board that the district’s plan is to start virtual classes on Aug. 10 and then transition into classroom teaching beginning Aug. 17. That would change if Governor Doug Ducey should direct schools to delay the transition. According to Fields, there is no plan to require students to wear masks in the classroom or on the bus. Students who do wear masks will have to adhere to restrictions such as limitations to appearance and colors. Teachers may wear masks but it will not be required. Hand sanitation will be provided. The first week instruction will be an online learning program. “We’re going to be looking for things like pre-tests for the students to see where they’re at and see if there’s any gaps. We want to try to assess that right away so that we know where to give them extra attention and some help.” Other online lessons will include practice, reading comprehension, small assignments and an overview of the school’s policies. Fields noted that timelines have been established to determine how long lessons should take and how much screen time is involved. “So the teachers will know in advance how to plan that out and parents will know how much time their students should be spending.” Fields noted that in regards to a survey sent to each household, approximately half were returned. “There were some interesting statistics on that. Ninety-four percent have internet service. About 90 percent have a device already in place. Over half don’t have a concern with starting virtually or in person on the 10th and 17th of August. The teachers as well; more than half.” Regarding those students that are without internet access, the district has created hotspots that will provide access. Devices will also be provided as needed. The school will still receive the same amount of funding from the state as long as attendance is taken while students are online. “When we bring it back on the 17th and there’s kids that the parents don’t want to come back, can they still do it virtually?” asked board member Eldon Larson, who then asked if the student can be in the classroom virtually while on a computer from another location. Larson added, “Also, if your kid is sick, regardless if it’s COVID-19, they should stay home. So it would be nice if we had something set up if we have to relieve the pressure of that, of saying ‘well, if your kid is sick he can stay home and log in on the computer and see what’s going on.’” In response, Fields said, “If they’re sick, they need to stay home. We’ll set up what is called ‘home bound instruction.’ It can include video interaction. It doesn’t need to but he (Jason Gardner, the district’s technology director) is ready to go with that.” Gardner then addressed the board and explained that services are in place, with different set-ups depending upon the grade level of the student. Students in the lower grades will need parental assistance online or have a packet made available to them. But for older students, the setup would be different. “It would be a live broadcast,” he said. That would allow teachers to either present a lesson live or record it the previous day for students to review then have a live class meeting for discussion. “That’s one option. There’s really like six different options,” stated Gardner. Concerns regarding students that may reside on the reservation and are in quarantine were addressed, with Joseph City High School Principal Eric Miller stating that the school has dealt with students from the reservation missing school for extended periods of time due to illness in the past and that they have been able to resolve the issue with teachers and families with no problem. Miller reported competitive athletic practice will be beginning Aug. 17, and that actual competition will not begin until after Sept. 7. The expectation is that the fall season will be shortened. Field noted that some of the school districts in the area that have cancelled their sports fall season altogether included Alchesay, Ganado, Monument Valley, Hopi, Pinon, Rock Point and Gray Hills. Fields noted that as far as full contact sports, such as wrestling and football he had some concerns that will be addressed with Miller, who is also the athletic director. Joseph City Elementary School Daniel Hutchens addressed the board stating, “I’m still contemplating what to do, with input from Mr. Fields and the teacher, on kindergarten to help to lower the number of students and for cleanliness and stuff. We may go for a time, or the whole year probably, at half day,” noting that that decision will be made soon. He stated that the district is also looking at not having preschool, at least not for the first quarter. “Most schools in the area are not having preschool at all until probably January,” adding that those kids are “learning at 80 percent play” and that it would be challenging to keep them in a safe environment. It was noted that NAVIT (Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology) programs will also begin on Aug. 17. After the discussion the board unanimously approved the district school year opening plan.
