SDMA Update- June 30, 2020

SDMA Update- June 30, 2020
Posted on 06/30/2020

Hello SDMA Families at Staff.

Greetings from the School District of the Menomonie Area, and best wishes for an enjoyable and safe 4th of July holiday weekend.

Beginning July 1, buildings in the SDMA will be open (with restrictions). While remote contact is still preferred for most inquiries, the public is welcome to stop in at district facilities as needed. Anyone entering SDMA facilities will be asked to sanitize hands upon entry, and anyone with any possible symptoms of COVID-19 should not enter any SDMA facility.  Everyone utilizing school district facilities should try to maintain 6 feet of distance from others whenever possible, and if social distancing is not prudent, face coverings of all individuals and/or other approved activity-specific mitigation measures are required. 

As a school district we are busy planning for the reopening of schools in the fall. The COVID-19 report shared with the school board early in June mostly focused on a plan for a phased reopening in the SDMA, which begins with the opening of district offices tomorrow. The discussion portion of the June 15 school board meeting agenda related to reopening is covered pretty well in a recent article from the Dunn County News

Last week the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction provided 87 pages of additional guidance for schools to consider when planning for reopening in the fall. This guidance is pretty well aligned with the plans that are already being developed by a planning team in the SDMA. While school officials in the SDMA are very hopeful that the 2020-2021 school year will be allowed to begin at full capacity, plans are also being developed for schooling at reduced capacity, and for a fully remote schooling option if needed. Regardless of any requirements that may very well change over time, the school district plans to provide options that will provide families some choices in the event that the in-person schooling plan in the SDMA does not meet a family's needs. More information will be shared soon, and families can anticipate the opportunity to share some feedback next week through a short school district survey.

Finally, please remember that changes to the Free Meals for Kids program will begin this week.  Meal pickups for all children in the community will be held on Thursdays from 3:30-5:30 pm at Menomonie High School and Menomonie Middle School. More information about Free Meals for Kids (and a link to the online registration form) are available on the school district website.

Have a great week.

Joe Zydowsky