A Message from Mr. Meyerle Concerning the Fall
As school approaches in August, I want to give an update on what I can share at this time. Because of all of the changes and shutdowns due to COVID-19, many things have changed. I am sure some of these changes will not be going away in the near future.
I do know this. Our staff missed school. Our students missed school. Everyone should be ready to get back at it and appreciate what a normal day is. As much as learning remotely has improved, it is not a replacement for in person learning. I commend our staff and students for learning to teach and learn remotely in a hurry, without much planning. Effort and dedication were the key. Some people are able to adapt and succeed more than others. I was very proud of the vast majority of students for their willingness to adapt, learn and succeed.
On the afternoon of June 15, it was good to hear both Governor Ricketts and Commissioner Blomstedt both say that they intend for Nebraska schools to be in session and in person this fall. I have been involved in many meetings on the re-opening of schools, and was glad to hear that statement. I am confident that parents were glad to hear that statement as well. Many questions will yet need to be answered, but unless informed otherwise by health officials, I fully intend for our first day of classes to be August 13 as scheduled.
As we return, we want to make school as safe as we can for everyone. I don’t want to get ahead of ourselves and be making announcements for the whole year at this point (dances, prom, senior sneak etc). We will make announcements regarding activities as we can as the events draw nearer. However, to begin the school year, we will not be planning on any field trips for students or guest speakers.
We will be incorporating protocols that emphasize hand washing, social distancing as much as possible, the use of hand sanitizer, and temperature checks. There will be reminders of these safe practices throughout our buildings. Parents will need to insure if their child is ill, the child stays home from school.
Students will be asked to enter the buildings at designated doors in the morning for temperature checks prior to admission to school. I know some schools have thought of taking temperatures prior to students boarding buses. I do not like the bus drivers performing that duty as it increases the possibility of an accident due to distraction. Driving a bus is a big enough responsibility. We really need to rely on parents not putting their child on a bus with a fever.
To minimize the group sizes at lunch, we will utilize more spacing in the east hallway at the elementary, and the south hall at the high school. Lunch seating will be consistent each day.
Masks will be available from the state and a solid supply of hand sanitizer from UNL. At this point, masks will be optional, but that could change, and they may become mandatory. If it is optional, there will be no tolerance for anyone making fun of someone wearing one. Such an instance will result in an immediate suspension from school and activities.
We plan on busing, but students with siblings will be required to sit with family members and not change seats. Seating will be consistent every day. If your children from your family cannot sit together on the bus, they cannot ride the bus. Masks may be required to ride a bus. We will see how developments change in the coming weeks.
Parents whom are more comfortable taking their children to school may utilize that as their personal choice. As a parent, if you know you will choose to be transporting your child instead of using bus services, please contact me ASAP, as that will factor into our bus planning this summer. Once we set the routes, there will be no changing routes for after school practices, church etc. The routes will remain as they are established and it will be up to parents to transport their children for any out of school practices etc.
We fully expect that activities will occur and will take much of that direction from the NSAA for activities they govern, and from NDE for other activities.
Any requirement on attendance limitations at ball games, or activities will come through the Governor’s office. Regarding Diller-Odell Public Schools, as of June 22 that capacity will be 50% for indoor activities (516 people in the new gym), and 75% for outdoor activities (football, 1125 people). When the Governor has us enter Phase 4 of a DHM, those numbers will change to 75% for indoor gatherings (774 people in the new gym, and 100% for outdoor gatherings (football, 1500). We would simply ask patrons to practice social distancing as much as possible when attending school activities.
Be confident that Diller-Odell is one of the best schools in the state. We will have a number of new staff members this year. People come and go, but the institution and how duties are carried out are critical to operations, and what is best for our students. We look forward to a great year, and will continue to adapt and adjust in the best interest of our students.