Announced Monday, the Colfax-Mingo School District will move to its hybrid learning plan for the next two weeks. Divided into two groups, students will attend school on alternate days during this time.
“We’re concened with what we are hearing. The outbreak right now is not necessarily in schools, but it is happening with adults in the community,” Colfax-Mingo Superintendent Erik Anderson said. “It is understandable people are tired of masks and COVID but there is just a surge in our area. It may not be in our school but if the adults have it, students are impacted.
“As of today, the Jasper County fourteen-day positive rate is 17.7 percent. Given that the rate is over 15 percent, we will shift to our hybrid plan for Nov. 3 through Nov. 16.”
Split into Blue and Orange groups, the Blue group will be on site Nov. 3, 5, 9, 11 and 13. The Orange group will then be on site the opposing days, Nov. 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16. While one group is in the building, the other will be participating in distance learning.
Bus pick up and drop off times should stay nearly the same and the three hour late start will continue on Wednesdays.
Daily meals will be available for distance learners and can be picked up at the elementary building at 10 a.m. each day. A survey will be sent out to monitor how many students will be picking up meals during distance learning.
All conferences will be held virtually Nov. 5, 12 and 17. Extra-curricular activities will continue as scheduled through the hybrid learning plan.
“On Sunday, Nov. 15 or Monday, Nov. 16, we will be reviewing the positivity rates in Jasper County to determine if we continue our hybrid model or if we return to fully on-site learning,” Anderson said.
He added if at any time the positivity rate climbs to 20 percent or above, the district will be temporarily closing the buildings and shift to an all distance learning model.
During hybrid learning, teachers will have expectations for students to keep engaged, and while it will look different than normal, the district said students need to continue their learning each day. Parents and guardians are urged to stay in contact will staff if they have any questions while students are in distance learning.
“Please continue to follow health and safety guidelines from the Iowa Department of Public Health and the CDC of hand washing, staying home when sick, maintaining six feet of distance and wearing a mask. Thank you for continuing to follow the expectations in our buildings of wearing a face covering and using hand sanitizer when entering the building and throughout the day,” Anderson said. “Thank you for your support, grace and understanding during this time. I am aware that this can put a strain on families. I appreciate everyone working together as we try to do what is right by our kids and follow the guidance of the Iowa Department of Public Health.”
Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com