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100% Online for Edwards, Meeker, and Sawyer
November 9, 2020

Edwards, Meeker, and Sawyer Elementary to Move to 100% Online Starting Wednesday, November 11

100% Online for Edwards, Meeker, and Sawyer

The contents of this message immediately impact families at our elementary schools, but we are sharing with all parents in the District. 

As a District, we will be applying for approval from the Iowa Department of Education (DE) to move to 100% online remote learning for Edwards, Meeker, and Sawyer Elementary Schools. Pending approval from the DE and our school board, we would move to remote learning for these three schools on Wednesday, November 11. This online remote learning will continue in two-week intervals, which is the maximum that the DE approves at one time. 

The state requires a 15%-20% county positivity rate over 14 days AND 10% absenteeism among staff and/or students expected for in-person learning. While our student absenteeism is not an issue, our staff absenteeism is growing, and today we reached the 10% indicator for the three buildings listed. We also anticipate hitting a 14-day positivity rate of 15% or above by Tuesday. 

We will be holding a Special Board Meeting on Tuesday, November 10, at 3:00 p.m. with the change in learning model for Edwards, Meeker, and Sawyer Elementary Schools as an action item. You can find the agenda here and access the meeting via Zoom or on the District’s YouTube Channel

Also included in the action item is to delay the return of face-to-face instruction for PK-5 until further action. This means that PK-5 students will not return to 100% in-person instruction on  November 23, which was the plan based on previous school board action. 

We realize this is a quick turnaround for our staff, students, and families, but it is necessary to keep our community safe. More information will come from your building principals and the district, but we wanted you to have this information as quickly as possible to help in planning. 

Key Takeaways:

  • Edwards, Meeker, and Sawyer Elementary Schools to move to 100% online remote learning starting Wednesday, November 11
  • Return to face-to-face instruction for PK-5 delayed until further action.