COVID-19 Staff Update March 19

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Below is an update provided to CPS staff on March 19, 2020:

Once again I hope everyone is healthy and safe. As we continue to practice social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, I want to provide you an update. At this time we are working on developing a viable academic delivery system if we are quarantined beyond March 27, 2020. This is very difficult with the quarantine. I feel like we are being asked to do this with our hands tied behind our back. This is especially difficult with minimal staff input; therefore, the administration is communicating and planning through email. The Colstrip School Board of Trustees approved the following motion on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Emergency Meeting: Colstrip School Board of Trustees approves remote learning opportunities for student proficiency located offsite through the District Website and other electronic services beginning immediately 20-1-202(5); 20-1-101(14); 20-7-118; 20-9-311(11) MCA.

At this time, we anticipate the emergency school closure to go beyond March 27, 2020. If this happens, we want to provide a systemic viable curriculum. The District has the means to push out electronic services through student Chromebooks. We will not be able to push out mass paper packets due to restricted resources, redirection time for learning, delivery of information to all students, as well as appropriate social distancing; therefore, the District will utilize student Chromebooks as the gateway for educational services during these restrictive times. Here is how the District will execute this process in each building:

• PBES: Elementary Chromebooks will be available for distribution as soon as March 20. Elementary teachers will communicate with parents through Dojo and email as to the use of the Chromebooks and tools available to students through electronic services. Please be patient as we clean and disinfect these tools before distribution.

• FBMS: Chromebooks will be available for distribution as soon as March 20.  As soon as 6-8 students have access to their Chromebooks, teachers will begin to push out classroom information through student email after March 27, if the closure is extended. The principal will provide direction to the staff at that time. 

• CHS: High school students already have access to their Chromebooks. If Chromebooks have been left at school, students are asked to come pick up their Chromebooks. Teachers may begin to communicate with students at that time.

All teachers are encouraged to develop electronic deliveries through Google Classroom, Dojo as well as other digital sources currently utilized in the District.

Because it is very important that the District be able to verify curriculum delivery for students to the Office of Public Instruction after March 27, the District is establishing remote learning opportunities through the use of IXL and Screencastify as well as with other current programs. The District will provide more direction in the utilization of these programs in the days to come. The use of these types of programs will help assure our local delivery of state mandates through an electronic means.

Teachers will check in and out through the building office. In order to facilitate equal access while maintaining appropriate social distancing, teachers will be restricted to (1) hour per day isolated entry and exit in their buildings. Tools such as the copy machine must be wiped down after use and there should not be multiple individuals congregating around while waiting for its use. The District has asked the building administration to police social distancing and building use. 

Our goal at this time is to follow the Governor’s directive and prepare for delivering educational services beyond March 27, 2020 if needed. For those that are already communicating student needs to parents and students, thank you. Moving forward we will attempt to identify students that do not have internet access to provide alternatives to electronic services. 

The District is providing access to these opportunities through the school website at http://colstripschoolsdigital.org. Mike Lovato is working on the website to establish links for learning appropriate to student classes and grade. Students will be able to gain fluency and confidence in math, reading and language arts! The identified programs and interventions will help students master essential skills at their own pace through fun and interactive questions and built in support. We will have staff available to answer any of your questions as well as a helpline for students. Please email: colstrip@colstrip.k12.mt.us or call 406-748-4699 ext 3421 for more information. 

Additional communication from building leadership will be coming soon via email, FaceBook and the District Website. The Superintendent’s Office will continue to send urgent messages by phone, text and email. You may also visit the Superintendent’s Blog for additional information: https://colstrip-superintendent-blog.blogspot.com/.