The Superior Express -

Rock Hills School is making changes to adjust to the new school year because of COVID-19. School is set to start on Thursday, Aug. 27, but staff will be back on Monday, Aug. 10. Staff will be trained in technology and deliveries for both remote learning and on-site learning.

Students, staff and visitors will be required to wear masks and will have temperature checks before boarding the bus or entering the building. They plan to have students and staff to wash or sterilize their hands once every hour.

The schedules will look different at the junior and senior high school as well as the elementary school to reduce student and staff movement in the buildings while practicing social distancing when possible.

Rex Boley, the superintendent, said they are planning on activities and daily learning to be as normal as possible so students can have a quality education at Rock Hills Schools. The goal for this year is to keep the students in school all year, but they need the support and help from the community.

Remote learning will have teachers contacting students daily. Families of students who are doing remote learning will be contacted with more information.

Rock Hills Schools will be working closely with the Jewell County Health Department, Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the State School Board to keep up with the COVID-19 changes. If these departments decide the school needs to reduce their attendance numbers, the school has a plan for hybrid learning. This plan will bring half of the students in two times a week and the other half in two times a week. There will also be remote learning for the students on the days they won’t be on site. If this happens, the school will dedicate one day to deep cleaning.

If school cannot be held, each student will do remote learning. Teachers this year will create a more robust teaching environment focusing on activities and education all school year. They will continue teaching with contact with students daily.