HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – Havre Public Schools Superintendent Craig Mueller spoke with New Media Broadcasters on Wednesday to discuss the District’s decision to move to remote learning until October 28th but allow extracurriculars to continue.
Mueller says he supports the School Board’s decision, especially in light of serious staffing shortages due to the amount of people either in quarantine or isolation.
“The staffing side of things, especially at Sunnyside, were critical. We were at a point with the skeleton crew we were operating under isn’t something that we wanted to continue to do in any building. In that though, I also want to mention that the Sunnyside team just did an unbelievable job in making sure they continue to provide instruction to students. So we got a lot of help from other teachers in that building, and also the substitutes who were able to work. We also borrowed some paraprofessional support from other buildings. That’s one are that was of concern, not only to the Health Department but to our own nurse. To try to keep these pods a little bit more contained so we didn’t have employees going from building to building. That’s something that we only wanted to do in a case where we were in a dire circumstance.”
Mueller says he believes the 14-days off from hybrid learning should allow for students and staff to finish their quarantine or isolation periods.
“We’re going to have an opportunity to help mitigate COVID-19 in keeping our students away from one another in a school setting and getting our staff time to heal. To really take that time and find out if we have students who are in quarantine now and are going to be coming out of quarantine and hopefully be returning to school and be a little bit more health and be ready to get back to our face-to-face instruction, which we know is so essential.”
Mueller also wants to remind parents to make sure their children check into remote learning every school day.
“That’s a point that I know will help out at the building level, and I it’s important that we’re keeping accurate attendance so we know what students are engaged in the learning process.”
One exception was made to not allowing in-person learning in order to ensure High School seniors can take the ACT Test.
“With the suspension of the ACT in the spring, that date was set by the state. So we had two options. And the date of the 20th, which is when our current seniors have the opportunity to take the ACT, is actually the last date for the free administration of that test. So I’m glad that the Board extended some flexibility in allowing that test to continue to be offered. And our high school staff was already planning on giving and administering that test. I know we have several seniors who are looking forward to that opportunity to do their best on their ACT.”
Technology Gap
One issue that was brought up at the Board meeting that makes remote learning a challenge is the technology gap. Many students don’t have sufficient internet access or devices to complete online portions of remote learning.
This will be helped somewhat by the lending of technology from the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line.
“I’ve already been in contact with (Club Director) Tim Brurud this morning. Tim extended that offer again to us, to help in handing out some Chromebooks. It is an obstacle. We are going to take a closer look this afternoon with the tech department and see how many devices we have, knowing that in this remote setting, we have enough to cover our opt out learners. But in the event we have some students or families who are in dire need of a device, we’re going to do the best we can to try to reorganize our current stockpile and make sure we get those out to the families that are in need.”
The District does have an internet access point in the parking lot of the Robins Administration Building.
“That’s going to be something that we’re going to take a closer look at, and look at potentially bringing one back out to the High School. Or as Trustee (Curtis) Smeby brought up, to look at potentially offering remote sites for hot spots so that our students have a little bit greater accessibility.”
Extracurriculars
Although the Board voted to move to remote learning for two weeks, they allowed extracurriculars to continue. Mueller says that decision was made for several reasons.
“Our extracurricular activities are obviously important not only to the students that are engaged in those, but their families and I think for our community at large. It’s important for social and emotional well-being of all of our students to be engaged in physical activity. In the case of allowing those to continue, we have several programs that have done a fantastic job with following guidelines set forth by the Hill County Health Department. Coaches have been vigilant in ensuring their athletes weren’t exposed to the virus by maintaining social distancing, making sure mask wearing was a top priority, and frequent hand sanitizing and hand washing. So as long as we don’t have those cases break out in our athletic programs, I agree with the Board’s Decision with allowing activities to continue. What we’re going to do is take a closer look at the number of fans that are allowed at activities for the remaining home contests, to go back to not allowing locker room use so that we don’t have larger groups in those areas. And (Activities Director) Brian Kessler is going to meet with coaching staffs to talk about the length of practice times.”
As for what would necessitate canceling extracurriculars, Mueller says that will be specific to each activity.
“In fact, we talked this morning about creating a committee. And on those committees will be the head coach of each of those extracurricular activities, the nurse, the athletic director and myself, to evaluate cases as they are emerging at each extracurricular activity and make determinations and suggestions with those and make sure we provide that information to the Board of Trustees.”
Meals and More
Grab-and-go meals are continuing to be provided at the high school for now, and by Monday, information about meal locations over the next few weeks will be available on the District website.
Opt-out forms for those who wish to continue remote learning after the two-week period will be available for parents of Middle and High School students at the Robins Administration Building next week, and will be available for parents elementary students the week of November 2nd.
Mueller concluded his interview with New Media Broadcasters by thanking not only the School Board Trustees, but the Hill County Health Department, for their input in the decisions made on Tuesday.
“Because of all the work they’ve done, information they’ve provided to the District, to help us and assist us in making this very difficult decision. We’re looking forward to the return of face-to-face (instruction) as soon as we can, realizing that this two week transition to remote learning is necessary, but we are looking forward to having our kids back in our buildings here by the end of October.”
The District will continue to provide updates during remote learning at blueponyk12.com.
