Change affects grades 7-12
By Greg Seubert
An increase in positive COVID-19 cases is behind the Iola-Scandinavia School District’s decision to move to blended learning for its junior and senior high school students.
District Administrator Ray Przekurat announced the change – which went into effect Oct. 5 – on the district’s website Oct. 2.
“I have met several times this week with the Waupaca County Department of Health Services director to discuss the surge of positive COVID-19 cases in our county,” he wrote. “We have also seen an increase in our school district of students and staff being tested. As a result, we will be moving from our current all in-person instructional model to our alternative plan 1, blended learning. This model is only for our students in grades 7-12.”
Pre-kindergarten to grade 6 students will continue in-person classroom learning and all co-curricular practices and games are not affected, according to Przekurat.
“Fortunately, we have planned for this scenario and are ready to quickly make the transition,” he wrote. “We will begin the blended learning model for grades 7-12 on Monday, Oct. 5.”
Students in grades 7-12 are divided into Cohort A (last name starting with A-L) and Cohort B (last name starting with M-Z).
Cohort A students will attend class at school Monday and Tuesday, while Cohort B students will be home.
Wednesday is set aside as a virtual connectivity and support day, with students at home.
Cohort B students will be at school Thursday and Friday, while Cohort A students will be home.
“We will re-evaluate this situation on our determination date – Wednesday, Oct. 7 – to decide if we will need to make another change based on our decision framework,” Przekurat wrote.
“Please know that we are taking this action to protect the health and safety of our students, staff and families,” he wrote. “We hope to be able to return to all in-person learning in the near future. This will depend on the status of COVID-19 and the guidance we receive from the Waupaca County Health Department.”