Precautions for blended learning

Early this spring, schools closed and all classwork moved online due to the COVID-19 virus. As of October 26,  students were given the choice to return to school in blended learning or continue to be completely remote.

In order to facilitate students and faculty in the building, many changes and precautions have been taken to ensure safety for all. These updates include mandatory mask wearing, tape markings on the floors to mark six feet social distancing for desks and chairs, sanitation stations around the school, wipes in every classroom, a new air conditioning unit to help with the air flow, and plexiglass shields in classrooms where social distancing is difficult. 

Principal Andrea Markert said all of the upgrades and changes began in August and took several weeks. 

“The faculty had meetings to plan for the distancing rules and get supplies, set up classrooms,” Markert said. “And then the ISU health department came in to check every classroom after it was set up.” 

Safety

While the halls buzz with excitement about being back in school, safety is a number one concern for students, families, and faculty. 

Science teacher Donieka Solberg said she feels safe being back. 

“I’ve wanted to come back since the beginning,” Solberg said. “Especially with all the precautions we are taking, I’m not worried.” 

Solberg said she was very excited when she found out we would be coming back [to blended learning] because it is easier for her to teach, demonstrate labs, and help students in person. 

Markert agreed that she feels safe being back in school. 

“I have been very pleased with the mask wearing and everyone properly following the guidelines in place,” Markert said. She added the only thing she would do differently is “build a bigger school so everyone could be back together while still managing six feet distancing.” 

Though this may not be an ideal situation for teaching or learning, there have been some positive outcomes from it such as smaller class sizes. 

“I’m glad that we’re back at school because it means that I am able to focus more on doing work with a teacher in front of me. I am also able to ask more questions about work openly in a smaller group, ” junior Lizzy Holstein said.