DE Approval / Panorama Survey
DE Approved Application to Continue Online (w/ Updated Information)
This morning, the Iowa Department of Education (DE) officially approved our application to continue 100% online remote learning temporarily for all buildings in the District. You can read the letter here. Per the letter, we are approved for online remote learning from November 30, 2020, to December 14, 2020.
Will we stay online for the entire two weeks?
The DE approves applications in two-week intervals. As a District, we monitor local conditions on a daily basis and have the flexibility to move back to a hybrid/in-person model during this time. The process to change delivery models is the following: call a school board meeting where Superintendent Risner will make a recommendation to the school board. The board will then act on that recommendation.
What are the new local metrics being used?
Last week, the school board approved new COVID-19 guidance metrics for the Ames Community School District. This revised model uses individual school indicators and community spread to determine the recommended educational model rather than positivity rate. The specific percentages and case counts were determined using feedback from medical experts, evidence-based research, and ACSD historical data.
Panorama Offsite Learning Survey
Starting later this week, the Ames CSD will be surveying our students, staff, and families using Panorama Education. The surveys will include questions around social and emotional learning, academic needs, and staff and family engagement, among others. The purpose of the survey is to help determine how our district can best meet the needs of our community moving forward. More information will be sent in a separate email with the test window as follows:
- Teachers and parents – Wednesday, December 2 – Friday, December 11
- Students – Monday, December 7 – Wednesday, December 16 – students
Zoom Discussion on ADHD/ADD this Thursday Canceled
The community discussion that was scheduled to take place this Thursday, December 3 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom with Dr. Ned Hallowell has been canceled.
Online Apparel Store Items
We have added new items to our online store that include coffee mugs, winter caps, and 3″ die-cut vinyl decals for water bottles. All of these items and more are available under the “Spirit” section of our online apparel store.