School Reopening Plans
School Reopening Plans
ECS Superintendent Bob Miller provides updates on reopening and capital projects
This is an update on the school’s reopening plans and capital project as of Tuesday, August 24th. Due to our publication’s print deadline, we were not able to include the full reopening plan for this edition. Please check back later in the week as we will update the story there. Much like everything during the pandemic, the situation is fluid and things can change rapidly. Answers have been edited and condensed for clarity.
eNOW: What’s new since we last spoke?
ECS Superintendent Bob Miller: We’re planning on all students attending class in-person — full days, every day. No hybrid learning models are being planned at this time. We’ll be able to transport more students on each bus this year and therefore will return to just one run in the morning and one in the afternoon. All staff have been dedicated and working hard to ensure the success of our students. From curriculum planning to cleaning, maintenance on the bus fleet to work in the offices … everyone is pitching in to provide the best education opportunities available to the students at ECS.
eNOW: How are the capital improvements coming? There’s been quite the buzz of activity every day at the school.
MILLER: So far, these things have been completed: drainage on the fields, the bus garage roof and the high school roof is almost complete. The new sidewalks have been poured, plus the base layers of the parking lots and bus loop. The repair work on the elementary windows have been completed, as has the installation of the emergency generator, elementary gym floor and press box terrace.
eNOW: What are some of the things that need to be completed?
MILLER: We need to finish the top coating of the parking lots and bus loop, the drainage work by the playground, enhancements to the emergency notification systems within the building. The kitchen and dining room work will be completed by the start of the school year. Currently, we’re waiting on additional security enhancements, the cooler/freezer and parking lot lights. Unfortunately, the global supply chain has our lights and cooler/freezer on backorder.
eNOW: Let’s switch gears into sports. What’s it look like there?
MILLER: We anticipate that fall sports will be back following a more “normal” schedule and allowance of spectators. Many of our teams have already started practice.
eNOW: Do you have guidelines for sports? Masks, buses, etc.?
MILLER: Sports, in general, will follow the same rules as classrooms and general transportation guidelines. The exception is, sometimes, student athletes are unable to tolerate a mask in which case they may remove their mask.
eNOW: It’s been a tough go this past year. What are some positives heading forward?
MILLER: Getting all of our students back is huge. Several teachers have attended or will be attending trainings related to better addressing the social and emotional needs of students. The federal stimulus grants will provide additional opportunities for things like (not all inclusive): staff, additional PPE, acquisition of additional laptops, social emotional learning programs, expanded after-school learning opportunities and others.
eNOW: How about challenges?
MILLER: The “ever changing” nature of COVID prevents us from completely settling on protocols or plans. We have to constantly remain flexible. While we can do this, it could mean several changes throughout the year.
eNOW: What are you looking forward to the most?
MILLER: This is an easy question. What I’m looking forward to the most is all students and staff returning to school in September for in-person learning.
